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First Colic Awareness Week launches
“Colic is still a huge welfare concern for horse owners due to the suddenness with which it can appear and the potential consequences that it can cause."
Campaign aims to raise awareness of early warning signs 

The British Horse Society and the University of Nottingham are holding the first ever Colic Awareness Week (1-7 April).

Research at the university’s School of Veterinary Medicine and Science found that 90 per cent of horse owners did not feel confident spotting the early signs of colic.

The awareness week, which forms part of the REACT Now to Beat Colic Campaign, aims to raise awareness of the subtle early signs of the condition, to ensure veterinary treatment can be sought quickly.

Nottingham’s research also found that up to one in three cases of colic seen by vets as out of hours emergencies were critical. Out of these cases, more than 80 per cent of horses were euthanised or died.

Since the REACT Now campaign launched, BHA have distributed nearly 30,000 colic packs and nearly 15,000 guides to horse owners and carers.

Emmeline Hannelly, BHS welfare education manager said: “Colic is still a huge welfare concern for horse owners due to the suddenness with which it can appear and the potential consequences that it can cause.

“I think that dedicating a whole week to raising awareness of the issues associated with the condition will help to provide owners with the information they need to make informed decisions about their horse’s welfare.”

Throughout the week, BHS and Nottingham vet school will be providing owners with top tips and videos on how to prevent colic. Veterinary practices that are part of the Vet REACT Colic Champions Scheme will also be sharing information with their clients.

Visit the BHS website for more information.

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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."