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Enormous rescue horse fronts charity campaign
Digger
Digger is the star of World Horse Welfare's new campaign.

Digger stands at a whopping nine foot tall

One of Europe's tallest horses has taken the lead role in World Horse Welfare's new television and online advertising campaign.

Gentle giant rescue horse Digger was chosen to promote the charity's rejuvenated Adopt-a-horse scheme. 

In the advert, Digger, voiced by actor Alex Norton, tells the stories of his stablemates rescued by World Horse Welfare and explains the benefits of adopting a horse from the charity.

World Horse Welfare director of fundraising, Emma Williams, commented: “When we were thinking about the perfect horse to front our new TV advert we knew that Digger had to be the first choice.

"He’s already developed a somewhat celebrity status through his incredible size and wonderful nature so turning his (massive) hooves to television advertising seemed like the next natural step in his career!"

Digger stands at an enormous nine foot from the ground to the tips of his ears. He arrived at Belwade Farm Rescue Centre in Aberdeenshire as a four-year-old in 2007 after his owners contacted World Horse Welfare. They were struggling to cope due to their own poor health and Digger's rapidly increasing size.

Digger was growing fast, and at a young age problems started to occur in the joints in his hind legs.  After veterinary care and extensive rehabilitation from World Horse Welfare, Digger regained confidence and continued to grow - earning his title as the biggest horse the charity has ever cared for.

Digger's enormous size caught the attention of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment and he was accepted on a two-year training programme to become a drum horse, taking part in preparations for the Royal Wedding and Major General Parades.

Unfortunately it became apparent that Digger was much better suited to life in the slow lane, so he returned to Belwade in 2012 and now happily resides in the Scottish hills.

World Horse Welfare's television advert will be aired over the coming weeks. To view the video visit www.youtube.com/horsecharity.

Image (C) World Horse Welfare

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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
RCVS pays tribute to well-loved equine vet

The RCVS and the Riding Establishments Subcommittee has paid tribute to well-loved veterinary surgeon and riding establishment inspector, Rebecca Hamilton-Fletcher MRCVS.

Linda Belton MRCVS, RCVS President, said: "I, along with my colleagues on the RESC, RCVS Council, RCVS Standards Committee, as well as RCVS staff, was very saddened to hear of the sudden death of Rebecca, or Becca as we knew her, last week.

"She was a true advocate for equine welfare and in her many years on the RESC worked to continually improve the quality and consistency of riding establishment inspections, all in the interests of enhanced horse welfare and rider safety."