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The Horse Trust Helps Students
Pupils from Woodland enjoying meeting their new friends at The Horse Trust.
Four pupils from Woodland Short Stay School in High Wycombe are taking part in a six-week course at The Horse Trust to build their confidence and self-esteem.

The course, run by Horsewyse CIC1, aims to improve the children's confidence and communication skills, as well as helping them learn about their own behaviour. Sarah McGowan, a Senior Teacher at Woodland Short Stay School, said the course is having a positive impact on the children.

"The children responded well to the first sessions and are already looking forward to the next session, said Mrs McGowan. "The course is helping to build their confidence by encouraging pupils to have a positive attitude towards approaching new challenges. It is also helping them think about their own behaviour, by looking at the behaviour of the horses."

Neil from Horsewyse with the pupils from Woodlands.
"The Horse Trust is a great place to run the course as it has a wide variety of horses from different backgrounds and of different sizes, which is great for working with children," said Dr Karen Smith, Director of Horsewyse. "Children are often particularly interested in horses that have been rescued, as they may have had bad experiences themselves, like being bullied. The shared experience helps them relate to the horse and gives them a sense of achievement when they see an improvement in the horse's behaviour."

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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
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.