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.
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

World Horse Welfare introduces new children's club
Stable Squad aims to give young people better access to horse-related opportunities and learning.
This Esme launched the new ‘Stable Squad’ with rescue pony Duke.

World Horse Welfare has officially launched the ‘Stable Squad’ – a club for animal-loving children.

Equestrian influencer and charity patron Esme Higgs, known to fans as ‘This Esme’, was the guest of honour at the event, which took place at the charity’s Glenda Spooner Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre on 15 August.

Stable Squad has been introduced by the charity as it seeks to give young animal lovers better access to horse-related opportunities and education. It also promotes the charity’s ethos for improved compassion, respect and understanding for horses

Members of the Stable Squad each receive their own Stable Squad Welcome Pack, which includes an exclusive cuddly toy with a bespoke World Horse Welfare rug. They will also receive the Stable Squad Magazine twice a year, which is filled with age-appropriate stories, games, interviews with celebrities and craft activities.

At the launch event, Ms Higgs and her World Horse Welfare rescue pony Duke were joined by another World Horse Welfare pony, Lemon LeMieux, as they met young fans. One fan, Purple Jones, was also given the opportunity to interview Esme.

Ms Higgs said: “It was such a special day for Duke and me to return to Glenda Spooner Farm together to celebrate World Horse Welfare’s fantastic new club for young people.

“I loved meeting some new friends as well as lots of familiar faces, and together we’re all now part of the Stable Squad family!”

Visitors also got involved with live demonstrations, LeMieux hobby horse jumping and face-painting as well as meeting with Stable Squad Ambassador and influencer Claudia Groves.

Claire Dickie, Glenda Spooner farm manager, said: “We loved welcoming children from all over the country to Glenda Spooner Farm to celebrate the launch of Stable Squad. We now have a growing community of over 500 children who are part of the Stable Squad family!

“We’d like to thank everyone who joined us in making it such a special day, it’s been wonderful to meet this new generation of horse welfare advocates.”  

For more information or to sign up to the club, visit the Stable Squad webpage.

Image © Shutterstock

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

Voting opens for BEVA Council

News Story 1
 Eligible members of BEVA will be able to vote for their Council team until Monday, 17 August 2026. Members will have received an election email on 17 July.

There are five candidates standing for four available places on Council. They are:

  • Alexandre Triguino
  • Angela Jones
  • Beth Bryant
  • Holly Rees
  • Hugh Somerville
Full profiles for each candidate can be found on the BEVA website

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Government releases latest bluetongue statistics

APHA has confirmed the number of bluetongue cases that have been logged in the UK since 1 July 2026.

The total number of BTV-3 cases, as of 6 August, is 187. This includes 183 cases in England and four cases in Wales.

There have been no recorded cases in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The location of premises in Great Britain where at least one animal has tested positive by PCR for BTV-3, BTV-8 or BTV-12 is available on the bluetongue case map. All livestock keepers in Great Britain are urged to familiarise themselves with nation-specific bluetongue control policies.

Bluetongue virus is a notifiable disease. It is a legal requirement that any suspicions, even if livestock has been vaccinated, are reported immediately.