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 2025 to explore ‘threat and opportunity’
The event can be attended in-person or through a livestream.
Vets, industry leaders and charity workers will consider the future of equestrianism.

The 33rd National Equine Forum (NEF25) is set to explore the threats and opportunities which face the equine sector.

The annual forum will be held at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) in London on Thursday, 6 March 2025. Live streaming tickets will also be made available to those who cannot attend the event in person.

The programme will provide opportunities for veterinary professionals, industry leaders and charities to discuss important topics in the equine sector. Each of the main sessions will also be followed by a Q&A session for delegates.

‘The Equine Industry in a Changing World’ seeks to present a Parliamentary perspective on the status on the sector, accompanied by an update from the British Horse Council. This will also include a review of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

A session on ‘Equine Health Updates’ will provide the latest news on serious disease threats to horses in the UK.

‘Equine feeds’ will advise on elements of feed safety and legality. This includes the fundamental role of forage, as well as guidance on where to find reliable and appropriate feed advice.

‘Equine Assisted Services’ explores the important partnership role that horses play in society, both when ridden and when on the ground. It will consider their inclusion in the Paralympic Games, as well as how they facilitate learning and positively impact people’s lives.

NEF25 will include a Memorial Lecture, which this year will discuss how charities work together to protect equine welfare in Britain with views from the ‘front-line’. The winner of this year’s Sir Colin Spedding Award will also be announced.

The event hopes to provide an opportunity for delegates to hear from influential members of the sector, learn about the latest developments and network with those in the industry.

Tim Brigstocke, NEF chairman, said: “In this year’s programme we have picked some of the most pertinent areas presenting opportunities or threats to the sector,

“We will be addressing these in our inimitable, balanced style, for which NEF has become renowned. We look forward to welcoming you either in person or via the livestream.”

Early bird tickets are on sale until 8 January 2025, while live streaming tickets will be released in January.

Image © Shutterstock

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

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 members invited to question Council candidates

RCVS members have been invited to submit questions to candidates for this year's RCVS Council election.

With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

The RCVS Council election is due to start in March.

With only two candidates for two positions on the VN Council, there will be no VN Council elections this year. Meghan Conroy RVN and Lauren Hargrave RVN will begin their three year terms at RCVS' AGM in July.