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World Horse Welfare launches sustainability strategy
“Our environmental welfare strategy acknowledges the interconnectedness of the wellbeing of people, horses and the environment” – Roly Owers.
Strategy launched at the charity’s annual conference.

The charity World Horse Welfare has launched a new sustainability strategy, setting out its commitment to be environmentally sustainable.

The strategy was announced at the World Horse Welfare Annual Conference 2024 on 7 November, a year on from the charity’s first conference focused on horses and the environment.

Eight overarching goals, centred around the charity’s four activities of care, research, education, and influence, are set out in the document, which was produced with pro bono support from sustainability consultancy White Griffin.

The strategy also includes a roadmap of commitments World Horse Welfare will make when carrying out its work in the UK and around the world.

In the UK, the charity plans to launch land management projects at its farms to make them more sustainable, including adopting and advocating for the responsible use of equine drugs, such as targeted deworming.

Internationally, the charity plans to work with communities to understand the impact of climate change to help protect the welfare of horses during droughts and other periods of extreme weather.

Roly Owers, chief executive of World Horse Welfare, said: “Our environmental welfare strategy acknowledges the interconnectedness of the wellbeing of people, horses and the environment.

“This strategy focuses upon the ways in which we will ensure environmental sustainability is embedded in our own operations, as well as our research, education and influencing work.

“We are at the beginning of our journey into these complex connections, and we do not have all the answers. But we are committed to learning – and crucially, acting – to move forward towards a world that is kinder for people, the environment and of course horses.”

The full Environmental Welfare Strategy can be read here.

Image © Shutterstock

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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."