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New fat-scoring resources for horse owners
The new resources simplify the fat scoring process. by covering each area of the body scored separately.

The toolkit aims to simplify the fat-scoring process. 

World Horse Welfare has announced new resources for horse owners to help monitor their horses’ weight.

Launching at the upcoming Badminton Horse Trials, the new #feelforfat resources have been designed in response to feedback about the realities of fat scoring horses.

Sam Chubbock, head of UK support at World Horse Welfare, said: “Equine weight management can be a sensitive issue, fraught with worries about associated health risks. 

“Our new #FeelForFat resources are aimed at helping horse owners to feel more confident in assessing their horses’ weight. They reflect feedback from some recent fat scoring surveys and workshops, which suggested making the process clearer.”

While fat scoring is a valuable tool for horse owners, research shows that many people struggle to accurately fat score their own horse. 

To further explore this issue, staff at WHW were asked to complete a survey examining the motivations and barriers to fat scoring, and then participate in a series of fat scoring workshops. 

The results were used to update the charity’s existing weight management resources and incorporate a new way of presenting each of the scored body areas. 

Instead of using a traditional whole-body diagram per score, the new resources simplify the fat scoring process by covering each area of the body scored separately. E.g. Neck and shoulder, back and barrel and hindquarters.

Visitors to Badminton will be able to try out the new resources for themselves upon a life-sized model of a horse named ‘Freddie’. There will be also representatives from WHW on the stand to answer any questions horse owners may have, or provide advice. 

Image (C) Shutterstock.

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Prof Joanne Webster elected as Fellow of the Royal Society

News Story 1
 Joanne Webster, a professor of parasitic diseases at the RVC, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).

An infectious disease expert, Prof Webster is known for promoting a One Health approach to disease control.

She completed her doctoral research in zoonotic disease and parasite-host interactions, and has since earned widespread recognition for contributions to parasitology and global health.

Prof Webster said: "I am truly honoured, and somewhat stunned, to be recognised alongside such an exceptional group of scientists." 

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News Shorts
Germany FMD import restrictions eased

The UK government has lifted the import restrictions placed on FMD-susceptible commodities from Germany.

The decision comes after the country was recognised as foot-and-mouth disease free without vaccination on 14 May.

Imports of FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products from Germany were originally banned, after the country reported a case of FMD near Brandenburg in January. In March, the UK government permitted imports from outside of the outbreak zone.

Germany will now be able to import FMD-susceptible animals and their by-products into the UK, providing they meet other import conditions.

The decision follows rigorous technical assessment of measures in Germany. Defra says it will not hesitate respond to FMD outbreaks.