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Progress following strangles initiative
Redwings Sanctuary celebrates one year on
Redwings Sanctuary celebrates one year on

One year on, an initiative to inspire more people to speak out on strangles and take proactive steps to protect their horses has already seen over 710 horse owners and 145 yard managers across the UK confirm their support.

Last November, Redwings Horse Sanctuary launched an online ‘Pledge’ as part of its award-winning ‘Stamp Out Strangles’ campaign, urging horse owners and yard managers to make a voluntary commitment to champion biosecurity practices. It has already attracted support from yards, including Hartpury University & Hartpury College and Richmond Equestrian Centre.

The Pledge is part of the Stamp Out Strangles online hub – which was also launched a year ago – full of practical information, advice and resources for yard managers and horse owners, as well as having a dedicated section for vets and other equine professionals.

Since then, Redwings has continued to engage with the equestrian community throughout this year on this important issue.

In March, the charity co-sponsored a strangles symposium at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, which brought together researchers, veterinary professionals, farriers and equine welfare organisations, to discuss the better prevention and management of the disease.

This was followed in May with Redwings’ head of welfare & behaviour, Nic de Brauwere, and Andie Vilela joining the world’s leading scientists and vets at the Dorothy Havemeyer Foundation Workshop in Iceland to present on their experiences of strangles.

Then, in July, Redwings instigated a special day of action – ‘Speak Out On Strangles Day’ – which urged yards to host activities for their clients, such as horse temperature-taking sessions and revising protocols, to encourage more conversations about good biosecurity and to help tackle the perceived stigma surrounding the disease.

And the year isn’t finished yet! In December, Redwings will be organising a free veterinary seminar for horse owners in South Wales and plans are already underway to make Speak Out On Strangles Day even bigger next year.

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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."