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Traveller-owned horse welfare good, study finds
"Our findings show that Traveller-owned horses are well looked after, contrary to perceptions from previous research" - Dr Marie Rowland.
Assessment challenges perceptions from previous research.

Research from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) has found that Traveller-owned horses generally benefit from good health and welfare.

The first study of its kind to assess the welfare of Travellers' horses, the assessment challenges perceptions made by previous studies regarding the standards of care for horses in travelling communities.

Assessing 104 horses owned by travellers and self-described Gypsies, researchers collected data over a two-year period from horses at horse fairs, owners' homes and yards in the UK and Ireland. 

A horse welfare protocol was developed to evaluate horse health and behaviour, provision of revision and management based on relevant criteria to Traveller-owned horses. Alongside this, a qualitative behaviour assessment tool was created with input from the travelling community, to measure emotional and physical condition.

Dr Marie Rowland, author on the study, explained: “Our findings show that Traveller and Gypsy-owned horses are well looked after, contrary to perceptions from previous research. 

“These results, from the first study of its kind, show that Traveller and Gypsy-owned horses are well cared for and enjoy good health and welfare. This is a positive outcome and a significant step in increasing awareness of the true extent of horse welfare concerns in Traveller and Gypsy-owned horses.”

Outcomes from the study suggested that overall, the health and welfare of horses assessed was found to be of a good standard. The horses also had a positive emotional state.

Results showed that 81 per cent of the horses had an optimal body condition score, and the same percentage responded positively to the voluntary animal approach test.

While the study provided a generally positive overview, it provided opportunities to highlight risk factors for equine welfare. The most common welfare issue found in the assessment was hoof neglect (27 per cent), with hoof cracks and breakages being the most frequent (19 per cent).

Published in Animals, 'The Welfare of Traveller and Gypsy Owned Horses in the UK and Ireland' is open access. 

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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. 

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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."