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New scheme to help horse owners identify colic
Ninety per cent of horse owners struggle to spot the early signs of colic.

Research shows majority of owners struggle to spot the early signs

A novel scheme to help horse owners identify the early signs of colic has been launched by the University of Nottingham and the British Horse Society.

The ‘Vet REACT Colic Champions’ initiative comes in response to research that found one in three emergency veterinary call outs were due to equine colic, and that 90 per cent of horse owners struggle to spot the early signs of this deadly condition.

Backed by more than 60 veterinary surgeries, it will see vets across the United Kingdom raise awareness of colic further by giving their clients advice, presentations and resources. In turn it is hoped this will enable owners to develop their own plan should their horse develop the condition and need referral to an equine practice.

Emmeline Hannelly, welfare education manager at the BHS said: “It’s fantastic that so many vets are supporting our ‘Vet REACT Colic Champions’ scheme – we are delighted to be working with them! We hope that it will help even more owners to make informed decisions related to colic and in turn, improve equine welfare.”

Sarah Freeman, professor of veterinary surgery at the University of Nottingham said: “We are delighted to be working with vet practices on the ‘Vet REACT Colic Champions’ scheme. Their support and guidance have been a huge help in reaching such a wide population and we hope we can reach even more people in the future.”

Alex Kingdon, BVM BVS MRCVS from Avonvale Equine Practice added: “Being part of the ‘Vet REACT Colic Champions’ scheme is incredibly important to our practice. Colic is by far one of the most common emergency conditions we see, and the scheme has already had a huge impact on many horse owners.”

The Vet Champions scheme forms part of a wider initiative by the University of Nottingham and the British Horse Society to raise awareness of colic. More details about the campaigns can be found here. 

Image (C) Marie Rippingale.

 

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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."