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World Horse Welfare introduces new children's club
Stable Squad aims to give young people better access to horse-related opportunities and learning.
This Esme launched the new ‘Stable Squad’ with rescue pony Duke.

World Horse Welfare has officially launched the ‘Stable Squad’ – a club for animal-loving children.

Equestrian influencer and charity patron Esme Higgs, known to fans as ‘This Esme’, was the guest of honour at the event, which took place at the charity’s Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre on 15 August.

Stable Squad has been introduced by the charity as it seeks to give young animal lovers better access to horse-related opportunities and education. It also promotes the charity’s ethos for improved compassion, respect and understanding for horses

Members of the Stable Squad each receive their own Stable Squad Welcome Pack, which includes an exclusive cuddly toy with a bespoke World Horse Welfare rug. They will also receive the Stable Squad Magazine twice a year, which is filled with age-appropriate stories, games, interviews with celebrities and craft activities.

At the launch event, Ms Higgs and her World Horse Welfare rescue pony Duke were joined by another World Horse Welfare pony, Lemon LeMieux, as they met young fans. One fan, Purple Jones, was also given the opportunity to interview Esme.

Ms Higgs said: “It was such a special day for Duke and me to return to Glenda Spooner Farm together to celebrate World Horse Welfare’s fantastic new club for young people.

“I loved meeting some new friends as well as lots of familiar faces, and together we’re all now part of the Stable Squad family!”

Visitors also got involved with live demonstrations, LeMieux hobby horse jumping and face-painting as well as meeting with Stable Squad Ambassador and influencer Claudia Groves.

Claire Dickie, Glenda Spooner farm manager, said: “We loved welcoming children from all over the country to Glenda Spooner Farm to celebrate the launch of Stable Squad. We now have a growing community of over 500 children who are part of the Stable Squad family!

“We’d like to thank everyone who joined us in making it such a special day, it’s been wonderful to meet this new generation of horse welfare advocates.”  

For more information or to sign up to the club, visit the Stable Squad webpage.

Image © Shutterstock

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Prof Joanne Webster elected as Fellow of the Royal Society

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 Joanne Webster, a professor of parasitic diseases at the RVC, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).

An infectious disease expert, Prof Webster is known for promoting a One Health approach to disease control.

She completed her doctoral research in zoonotic disease and parasite-host interactions, and has since earned widespread recognition for contributions to parasitology and global health.

Prof Webster said: "I am truly honoured, and somewhat stunned, to be recognised alongside such an exceptional group of scientists." 

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Germany FMD import restrictions eased

The UK government has lifted the import restrictions placed on FMD-susceptible commodities from Germany.

The decision comes after the country was recognised as foot-and-mouth disease free without vaccination on 14 May.

Imports of FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products from Germany were originally banned, after the country reported a case of FMD near Brandenburg in January. In March, the UK government permitted imports from outside of the outbreak zone.

Germany will now be able to import FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products into the UK, providing they meet other import conditions.

The decision follows rigorous technical assessment of measures in Germany. Defra says it will not hesitate respond to FMD outbreaks.