Horse welfare clinics to begin this Autumn
More than 40 vets were inspired to volunteer their services for the two pilot projects supported by the Trust earlier this year.
Two new equine healthcare and castration clinics have been given the go-ahead following successful pilot projects in Morocco and Southampton earlier this year.
In a statement the BEVA Trust said that the clinics have been confirmed for the Autumn and that many people have already offered their services.
Suitable stallions and colts will be identified and recruited at each location by charity welfare officers, and up to 30 horses will be castrated by volunteer vets at each event.
Furthermore, as many horses as possible will be vaccinated and wormed against tetanus. They will also be microchipped and issued with a passport.
Julian Samuelson, chair of the Trust Review Committee, said: "These events not only reduce the opportunity for unintentional breeding but, more importantly, have also proven to be a great way of getting new groups of horse owners engaged with veterinary care. By co-ordinating the necessary veterinary expertise, we hope BEVA Trust will make a significant contribute to their success."
More than 40 vets were inspired to volunteer their services for the two pilot projects supported by the Trust earlier this year. The scheme aims to educate owners, establish links with the veterinary profession, reduce accidental breeding and help with identification and traceability of horses.
The British Horse Society estimate that by holding 12 successful castration clinics, they could prevent the birth of thousands of foals over the next two generations. In addition, working with horse owners to passport and microchip their horses will increase the number of horses being correctly identified. In turn this will protect the food chain and improve the traceability of fly-grazed or abandoned horses.
The clinics have been organised by the BEVA Trust in collaboration with the British Horse Society Blue Cross, Horseworld, Redwings Horse Sanctuary, the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare.
Further clinics will be arranged over the next 12 months. For more information visit www.beva.org.uk.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
