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World Horse Welfare launches sustainability strategy
“Our environmental welfare strategy acknowledges the interconnectedness of the wellbeing of people, horses and the environment” – Roly Owers.
Strategy launched at the charity’s annual conference.

The charity World Horse Welfare has launched a new sustainability strategy, setting out its commitment to be environmentally sustainable.

The strategy was announced at the World Horse Welfare Annual Conference 2024 on 7 November, a year on from the charity’s first conference focused on horses and the environment.

Eight overarching goals, centred around the charity’s four activities of care, research, education, and influence, are set out in the document, which was produced with pro bono support from sustainability consultancy White Griffin.

The strategy also includes a roadmap of commitments World Horse Welfare will make when carrying out its work in the UK and around the world.

In the UK, the charity plans to launch land management projects at its farms to make them more sustainable, including adopting and advocating for the responsible use of equine drugs, such as targeted deworming.

Internationally, the charity plans to work with communities to understand the impact of climate change to help protect the welfare of horses during droughts and other periods of extreme weather.

Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, said: “Our environmental welfare strategy acknowledges the interconnectedness of the wellbeing of people, horses and the environment.

“This strategy focuses upon the ways in which we will ensure environmental sustainability is embedded in our own operations, as well as our research, education and influencing work.

“We are at the beginning of our journey into these complex connections, and we do not have all the answers. But we are committed to learning – and crucially, acting – to move forward towards a world that is kinder for people, the environment and of course horses.”

The full Environmental Welfare Strategy can be read here.

Image © Shutterstock

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.