Author: Suzanne Ashton

The need for a register of qualified animal health professionals more important than ever! The Animal Health Professions Register (AHPR) have highlighted how vital it is for all qualified practitioners to belonging to a register of professionals following the increase in unqualified therapists offering treatment to animals. This issue was raised by qualified animal health paraprofessionals after becoming aware of therapy centres and individuals prescribing treatments/remedial exercise programmes for animals without holding appropriatequalifications, nor having a veterinary referral to carryout such treatments.  The musculoskeletal therapy disciplines covered include animal / veterinary physiotherapy, Chiropractic and manipulation, animal sports therapy and massage, and animal hydrotherapy.  Any treatment should be carried out by a qualified professional,following a veterinary referral, with veterinary permission, or with the knowledge of the consulting veterinary surgeon. Qualified practitioners and vets share the AHPR’s worries about the impact…

As part of their commitment to promote the highest standards in welfare, British Equestrian has launched a new initiative in Equine Health Week. Running from 28 November to 4 December 2022, the week will feature educational content across our social media channels from leading veterinary surgeons, many of which sit on British Equestrian’s Equine Infectious Diseases Advisory Group (EIDAG). The week is aimed at everyone who interacts with equines – whether you ride occasionally at a centre, have your own horse or run a bustling yard, everyone has a part to…

Last week saw the return of the National Amateur and Veteran Championships held at Aintree International Equestrian Centre, and with a record number of competitors in attendance, it was set to be an exciting week of competition. Emily Morris hit a purple patch, winning the first two Veteran Championship titles of the week. She excelled in the 1.10m Minor Veteran Championship with the top two places, winning on Westpoint Foreign Affair and claiming second with Bean Cruising. Only seven of the twenty-nine starters tackled the jump-off. Second to go, Emily set the…

British Equestrian has partnered with Access Sport, a national charity driving inclusion in community sport, on a review of the Accessibility Mark scheme, a programme which facilitates disabled access to equestrianism. The research phase is now underway with a final report and recommendations due in early 2023.  Introduced in 2013, the Accessibility Mark (AM), which is delivered by the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), acts as an industry quality/ kitemark scheme for equestrian centres delivering riding sessions for disabled adults and children.  Fifty-five centres currently hold AM status. Horse…

The British Horse Society’s (BHS) annual charity race days returned once again for two days of fitness tests, fundraising and fun. A brand-new set of budding jockeys headed to Wetherby Racecourse on 28 October and Newbury Racecourse on 3 November, all in an effort to raise funds for the charitable goals of the BHS.   Heading to the starting line, all of the jockeys exuded determination and dedication to collectively raise an impressive £40,000. The total for the two days, which included donations to the silent auctions, was £50,000 all…

Society’s values are changing, animal welfare is becoming an ever-higher priority and some aspects of the horse/human relationship have recently come under the spotlight. Trying to identify and defining where use of horses becomes abuse were just some of the themes explored at World Horse Welfare’s 25th conference held at the Royal Geographical Society in London recently and broadcast virtually worldwide.    Roly Owers, Chief Executive of World Horse Welfare introduced a thought-provoking and fascinating series of talks by international speakers: “Society is increasingly suspicious of traditional uses of animals and,…

Fit For Welfare with The Society of Master Saddlers Series on H&CTV.  The Society of Master Saddlers has teamed up with Horse & Country TV to produce an educational five-part mini-series all about fitting saddles and bridles. Each episode in the Fit For Welfare with The Society of Master Saddlers series covers a different topic. The focus of the series is the welfare of the horse and the integral part a saddle and bridle fitter play in keeping the horse happy and comfortable. Episode one: Who is the SMS? In this first episode…

Ireland’s only elite horse auction, The Monart Sale, has once again delivered record sales figures despite global economic pressures. The 2022 average sale price was up 10.5% on previous years, with an average of €16,896, and six lots breaking the €30,000 mark. “Once again, the sale has exceeded expectations and grown more than we could have expected.  This year we’ve had buyers from around the world, in addition to strong Irish sales.” confirmed sale Director, Niall Griffin. Top sales lot include: Lot 50 – Unnamed – a good-looking blood mare with three…

It was history in the making in Cape Town (RSA) on Sunday 13th November 2022, with an all-female line-up of winners at the FEI Awards Gala 2022 presented by Longines. Longines FEI Rising Star Award  The evening saw the young Eventer Alice Casburn (GBR) take home this year’s Longines FEI Rising Star Award which was created to recognise young athletes between the ages of 14 and 21 who demonstrate outstanding equestrian sporting talent.  Casburn, who competed in her first 5* Event only 12 months after her first 4*, has taken the Eventing world by storm.…

The world-renowned Boudheib International Endurance Village (BIEV) is set to host the FEI Endurance World Championship 2022, following a decision made by the FEI Board during its meeting in Cape Town (RSA) today.  The BIEV venue, which was strongly recommended by the FEI Endurance Committee, is situated approximately one hour from Abu Dhabi’s city centre will be the venue for the rescheduled World Championship. In September 2022, the FEI terminated the Host Agreement with Isola della Scala in Verona (ITA) that was originally scheduled to host the biennial event from 19 to…

GC PRAGUE PLAYOFFS: Line-up revealed for 2022 ultimate final show-down with one week to go  Anticipation is building for the 2022 GC Prague Playoffs [17-20 November], with riders touching down in the Czech Republic capital one week today.   The world’s best show jumping athletes are going head-to-head, leaving everything on the line to fight for a podium finish in the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix and the GCL Super Cup presented by Air Bank.  Revealed today, the official riders list for the hotly contested and much anticipated GC Prague Playoffs is…

Leaders in bioelectronic research and product development, NuroKor launches firest equine bioelectronic therapy system into US market NuroKor Bioelectronics, a world-leading bioelectronics company, has launched the first equine bioelectronic therapy system into the US market. The EquiPod offers US horse owners and equestrian professionals access to app-controlled tech specially designed to accelerate their horses’ recovery, manage pain and optimise performance.  Addressing the national equine health emergency   Musculoskeletal, lower limb injuries and wounds are one of the main reasons for veterinary visits for all horses and across all levels of equestrian…