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HRH The Princess Royal visits equine healthcare clinic
HRH The Princess Royal on site at the BHS Healthcare Clinic in Kent.

Clinics provide education and advice to support vulnerable horse owners.

HRH The Princess Royal has visited a British Horse Society (BHS) Healthcare and Education clinic in Kent to see first-hand how the equine charity supports horse owners.

The visit formed part of the clinic's equine welfare education campaign, which provides advice and support to horse owners whose animals are vulnerable or at-risk of breeding indiscriminately. 

Central to the campaign is the aim of trying to prevent horses from needing to be rescued. With equine rescue centres at capacity, the BHS Healthcare Clinics play an important part in breaking the cycle of neglect and improving horse welfare. 

Gemma Stanford, BHS director of welfare, said: “We are thrilled that our Vice-Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, could join us at this Healthcare Clinic to see first-hand how we are able to support horse owners.

“With a growing number of horses in rescue centres and being abandoned, this is a proactive approach to the problem. All horses received a health check on the day, with many of them having never been seen by a vet before. The BHS believe prevention is better than cure and we promote horse welfare by educating, advising, and supporting horse owners and carers, to prevent welfare issues. 

“Horses are suffering because we do not have enough knowledgeable and experienced owners to look after them,” she said.

Hosted by Ashford Cattle Market, BHA's Kent clinic runs in collaboration with British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), with support from Zoetis and several other equine charities. 

The clinics provide education, advice, and support on various issues and allow BHS experts to engage with and build relationships with people in local communities, many of whom would not have previously communicated with authorities or equine charities. 

With thanks to BEVA Trust volunteer vets and an extensive list of supportive organisations, the clinics offer horse owners: general health checks, castration, hoof care, worming and dentistry, at a reduced cost. 

Julian Samuelson, chair of BEVA Trust said: “Our BEVA Trust volunteers show a real passion for horse welfare with their support for these clinics and their willingness to donate their time is very admirable. By providing health checks, castrations, passports and micro-chipping, and also dental health checks and farriery when possible, we are able to make a real, practical difference for horses identified to be in need. 

“We are immensely proud that HRH The Princess Royal has shown such an interest in our work and her level of engagement and understanding is truly impressive. We thank her for taking the time to visit our clinic today.” 

Image © BHS/Jon Stroud Photography.

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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. 

Click here for more...
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.