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Exmoor ponies introduced to Cochno Farm
The new foals will be named by staff and students at the university before being registered with the Exmoor Pony Society.

The endangered breed is being studied by researchers at Glasgow University. 

The University of Glasgow has added a herd of Exmoor ponies to its Cochno Farm.

Studied and monitored by researchers at the university, the ponies are the subject of Debbie Davy's PhD, which aims to investigate genetic variation to improve breeding management practices, and to understand the impact of pony grazing on habitat quality. 

Davy's PhD is funded by the Exmoor Pony Society as a part of its centenary celebrations. Alongside this, the ponies will be used for other projects, including Professor Marcello Riggio's research on microbial communities and animal health.

The ancient breed, which was recorded in the 1086 AD Domesday book, is considered to be Britain's most ancient pony, is now listed as endangered by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. 

After a severe genetic bottleneck after the Second World War, the current population of Exmoor ponies is descended solely from fewer than fifty foundation animals. 

Introduced to the farm initially in November 2020, the ponies at Cochno farm consists of four mares, one stallion, and three foals, two of which were born at Cochno. Both of the new ponies are reportedly developing well, and are valuable additions to the endangered population.

Commenting on the arrival of the rare ponies, PhD student Debbie Davy said: “Since their arrival the ponies have been attracting lots of positive attention from Cochno visitors, and the herd is now being used in other student projects. 

“It’s such a pleasure to work with these important by endangered animals and I hope our work here will help us to gain a better understanding of this important breed.”

 

Images (C) Lea Gilbert, University of Glasgow MSc student who is working with the ponies

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.