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Horses kept for 5,500 years
Origins of horse domestication have been traced back to the fourth millennium BC.
A team of archaeologists, led by the Universities of Exeter and Bristol, has uncovered the earliest known evidence of horses being domesticated by humans.

The origins of horse domestication have been traced back around 5,500 years to the Botai Culture of Kazakhstan and the fourth millennium BC. This is about 1,000 years earlier than previously thought, and about 2,000 years before horses are known to have been kept in Europe.

Exeter University has said that the findings could point to the very beginnings of horse domestication and the origins of the horse breeds we know today. The research has been published in the academic journal Science.

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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.

 

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News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.