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Owners prioritise horse care over themselves, survey shows
Ninety per cent had experienced price increases in horse care.
Almost 50 per cent cut their own costs to spend on horse care.

A survey of horse owners, keepers and equine organisations has revealed the effects of the cost of living crisis on the community.

The survey, organised by World Horse Welfare through National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC), asked over 8,000 people questions about horse care costs.

The results revealed that 20 per cent of horse owners taking the survey were facing difficult decisions such as selling, sharing or euthanising their horse due to rising costs. Of all respondents, 90 per cent had experienced price increases in feed, forage and veterinary care.

The data also showed that nearly 20 per cent of respondents had cut expenditures on horse care, and almost 50 per cent had cut costs in areas of their lives to pay for horse care.

Carolyn Madgwick, chair of NEWC, said: “The high number of responses to the survey – more than 8,000 – shows how important this issue is for many people and the findings indicate that the impact of these financially challenging times is being felt across the whole of the UK.

“Sadly, the situation is only going to worsen with the interest rate increase announced last week, which is sure to have a huge impact on a lot of owners.”

A second survey of 36 equine welfare establishments found that 50 per cent of centres would be minimising the number of equines they admit and implement stricter selection criteria on those they do accept, with just under 25 per cent saying they would stop taking equines altogether.

Carolyn Madgwick described this as a ‘deeply worrying time’ for its members, as horse owners cut down on routine preventative healthcare practices.

She said: “We’ll be monitoring the situation closely over the coming months and devising ways to provide targeted advice and support where possible. Follow-up surveys are planned for later this year to assess the continued impact of living costs on horses, their owners and welfare establishments.”

 

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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."