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International horse charity releases shocking evidence
horse travel
With no water available during their journey, the horses were dehydrated and eager to drink as soon as they could.

Transportation times and conditions revealed in account

World Horse Welfare has released an account detailing prolonged journey times and poor conditions for horses travelling to slaughter. The charity released video footage to show the impact of long-distance journeys on horses’ physical and mental state.

Using a 1,400 mile journey from Poland to Italy as an example, in 60 hours of travels, horses were only given one rest stop. The charity monitored the condition of the animals during the process and cited dehydration, withdrawal and deformed feet.  The animals were required to spend up to 24 hours travelling at one time.

Field officer Tony Evans said: “Stallions had been tethered at the rest stop next to mares, with young foals mixed in. With no water available during their journey, the horses were dehydrated and eager to drink as soon as they could. The horses were quiet, withdrawn and tense. It was a heartbreaking sight for anyone to see.”

In an ongoing campaign about transportation conditions, World Horse Welfare continues to gather evidence which will be detailed in a report to the European Commission addressing the current laws surrounding horse transportation.

Since the campaign began, partitions in transportation lorries have been improved to reduce injury and death.  The overall transportation figures have also dropped from 165,000 in 2001 to 54,000 in 2012.

Image © World Horse Welfare
 

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.