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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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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.