Research undertaken by the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies has found similar welfare concerns are currently facing horses in the UK as those highlighted by previous research released in 2016. H&H speaks to experts to find out what needs to change...
Delayed euthanasia and lack of biosecurity remain the biggest welfare concerns affecting UK horses, according to experts, as calls are made for owners to reconsider how they manage their horses.
Researchers from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies asked experts including vets, charities including World Horse Welfare and the British Horse Society (BHS), and trainers, to rank what they thought were the most prevalent equine welfare concerns.
From their responses, 84 concerns were identified, then reduced and ranked into two top-10 lists; concerns affecting the UK horse population, and concerns affecting individual horses.
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Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
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Credit: World Horse Welfare
Delayed death and inappropriate nutrition were among the four key welfare priority areas identified by researchers in the four-year study
The message from vets that owners should only worm their horses based on need is not getting through
There are areas across the world where equine euthanasia is rejected for cultural or religious reasons
Library image.
Credit: Lucy Merrell
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H&H senior news writer
Since joining H&H in 2018, Becky has covered a broad range of equestrian news including welfare matters, veterinary studies, FEI Tribunal hearings and road safety campaigns. She has also interviewed top riders including Scott Brash, John Whitaker and Ian Stark, to name just a few. Becky’s reporting has taken her to Canada for Spruce Meadows and France for Pau five-star, as well as the Royal Highland and Blair Castle International Horse Trials closer to home. She was also a key part of the remote reporting team for the Tokyo Olympics and the Europeans.
