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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 16th March 2012
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
Study finds correlation between pony weight and behaviour
Fat and obese horses more likely to misbehave

A study conducted by Dr Petra Buckley from the Charles Sturt University of Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia has detected a correlation between the weight of a pony and misbehaviour. A prospective longitudinal study of 84 Pony Club horses saw families keeping diaries recording the behaviour of their ponies over one year. Veterinary examinations were undertaken once a month to track the animals' health and welfare over that time.

The study found that misbehaviour was noted on 3% of days on which the ponies were ridden, but animals that were fat or obese had a greater risk of misbehaviour than those that were at a more healthy weight. No significant associations between back pain and misbehaviour were found.

The data collected implies that a link exists between misbehaviour, body condition scores and nutrition. If this is proven, body condition scores could be used in future to assess adequacy of exercise regimen and diet, with higher scores being able to serve as a warning of the greater risk of misbehaviour.

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

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
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."