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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

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RVC leads globally for Veterinary Science

The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) has retained its lead in Veterinary Science education in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

The college scored 100 for its Academic Reputation and increased its Employer Reputation to 91.7 points. It also maintained high scores for Citations per Paper and H-Index.

RVC says that its score recognises its students' employability and the institution's standing with employers. It also highlighted the impact that its graduates and alumni are making in the sector.

Stuart Reid CBE, president and principal of RVC, said: "We are dedicated to maintaining the teaching, learning and research that takes place at the RVC.

"I am delighted that the effort from all our staff and students has once again led to a great outcome in the QS rankings; it is a privilege we do not take for granted."

The full rankings can be found here.