Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Vets react to extreme breeding in horses
El Rey Magnum (not pictured) is a nine-month-old colt bred by Orrion Farms.

Arabian show horse at risk of breathing problems 

UK vets have expressed their horror at images of an Arabian horse that has been bred to achieve an extreme concave or ‘dished’ profile.

Speaking to Veterinary Record, UK equine expert Tim Greet said: “I wondered at first whether this was a 'photoshop' joke, but clearly it is intended to be deadly serious - which of course is what it is - truly horrific! Arabians have always had a rather “dished” face but this takes things to a ridiculous level.”

The horse, El Rey Magnum, is a nine-month-old colt bred by Orrion Farms - a specialist Arabian breeding farm in Washington, USA. Valued by his owners at several millions of dollars, he was launched earlier this month in a promotional video that appears to have been removed from the farm's website.

Doug Leadley, primary breeding advisor for Orrion, said: “There is never perfection but I think this horse is a stepping stone to perfection…he is very proud of himself, he has exceptional tail carriage. He loves to move and he sure appears to be show-healthy, bouncy and fast.”

News of El Rey sparked interest from horse breeders and trainers across the world. However, reaction on social media has been mixed, with some declaring the horse beautiful and others shocked and appalled.

Jonathan Pycock, equine reproduction expert and president of the British Equine Veterinary Association, said the horse represented a radical variation on what was normal. He stated the head shape with a dipped nose "served no functional purpose and could put the horse at risk of breathing problems".

Roly Owers, equine vet and chief executive of World Horse Welfare, also commented: “This appears to be breeding in a weakness that could severely affect future generations - and if there is not a restriction to the airway in this particular animal already then there will be in future generations.”

Animal welfare and ethics expert Madeleine Campbell said: “Whilst it is impossible to comment on an individual animal based on photographic evidence, as a general principle any trend towards breeding for extremes of form which might adversely affect normal function must be condemned, on welfare grounds.

“This would apply equally to head shape which might compromise the ability to breathe or eat normally or, for example, to extremes of animal size which might compromise the ability to give birth normally.”

Vets in the USA have identified El Rey as an example of an extreme breed. However, one vet confirmed the horse had no medical issues or respiratory issues.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.