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Stuck stallion gets rescued after gate mishap
The horse required pain relief after the incident, but should make a full recovery.
On a mission to visit his friends, the plucky horse encountered an unexpected obstacle.  

A horse got himself in a bit of a sticky situation last Tuesday (10 August) when he got stuck straddling a gate.

The stallion was attempting to visit his fellow-horse neighbours over the other side of the gate, but when he tried to clear the four foot high gate, he got stuck halfway over.

Walkers in Rochester, Kent, noticed the struggling stallion and called the RSPCA for assistance, where inspector Tina Nash attended the scene.

Tina commented: “The horse, a stallion, was trying to get to the mares on the other side of the gate and obviously thought he could clear the 4ft gate. But it seems this lovely lad isn’t the greatest showjumper and got himself stuck halfway!

“If he’d have spent a little more time looking and investigating, he’d have realised that he could have walked along the fenceline a little further, he could have just trotted around to see his lady friends!”

The poor embarrassed horse didn't have to wait too long for help though, as a crew from the Kent Fire and Rescue service joined the RSPCA at the scene, and used straps to gently lift the horse up and off the gate.

A spokesperson for the Kent Fire and Rescue Service commented: “Animal rescue emergencies are as important as any other for Kent Fire and Rescue Service. The Animal Rescue Unit is made up of specially trained firefighters, who have a passion for helping all creatures great and small.”

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.