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Support for horse welfare during COVID-19
"The coronavirus pandemic has caused immense difficulties for many areas across the equestrian industry."
Initiative to help alleviate financial strain on BHS riding schools.

A Hardship Fund to support the welfare of horses and ponies during the COVID-19 pandemic has been launched by the British Horse Society (BHS).

The Fund is specifically aimed to help BHS-approved riding schools who have been financially impacted by the outbreak and is designed to support any costs that go towards the health and wellbeing of equines under their care.

Each school has been allocated a payment of £750, made possible by contributions from BHS National, Regional and County Committees. The BHS has also been able to access several of their restricted funds, held aside for welfare specific purposes.

“The coronavirus pandemic has caused immense difficulties for many areas across the equestrian industry and riding schools have been hit particularly hard,” said James Hick, chief executive officer at The British Horse Society. “As their income stopped on March 23rd but the need to look after the wellbeing of horses continues at a high cost.

“The welfare of horses is at the heart of everything the BHS does, and we are working incredibly hard to help support our Approved Ridings Schools through these unsettling times. We hope that this Hardship Fund will help alleviate some of the financial strain riding schools are currently facing, whilst also serving to protect the health and wellbeing of the horses and ponies under their care.”

In addition to the Hardship Fund, the BHS has pledged to waiver all approved centre membership fees for the next 12 months and will be launching a donations appeal in the coming weeks to help provide further support.

The BHS has contacted its approved riding schools with details on how to apply for the funding. Schools that have not yet received communication are encouraged to contact the BHS Approvals team approvals@bhs.org.uk or call 024768 40500. 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."