Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

National Equine Forum details announced
The National Equine Forum will take place in London on the 5 March 2020.
Conference to explore importance of human behaviour change

Vets, government officials and leading figures from the equestrian sector are set to share their knowledge and inspire debate at the 28th National Equine Forum (NEF).

The annual event will take place on the 5, March 2020 in London and will cover a myriad of important topics relevant to the equine sector. A highlight of the programme will explore why human behavioural science is so important for the equine sector.

In a session exploring how human behaviour change can make a difference to horse welfare, BEVA council member David Rendle will discuss behaviour change and its potential impact on worming compliance.

The session will also include a talk about colic from University of Nottingham professor Sarah Freeman, and a discussion on strangles from Abigail Turnbull of the Richmond Equestrian Centre.

David Rendle said: “Changing human behaviour offers the key to improving equine welfare in the UK. Veterinary surgeons understand the medical needs of their patients but have insufficient understanding of the drivers of human behaviours which are frequently implicated in equine health and disease. They also lack the right tools with which to implement human behaviour change.

"Looking specifically at the responsible use of anthelmintics, will owners with an emotional connection to an individual ever put the interests of the equine population first? Will striving for behaviour change ever be sufficient in this scenario or does change need to be enforced to put animal welfare ahead of human sentiment?”

The NEF will also include a comprehensive session on Brexit, animal health, emerging diseases, and what has been knowledge has been gained from the 2019 equine flu outbreak. Audience members are invited to participate during Q&A segments, while those watching the live stream can submit questions via social media.

For more information about the event, visit www.nationalequineforum.com

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.