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Horses trapped by floods moved to safety
60 horses left stranded by flood water

A herd of 60 horses in Gloucester, trapped by flood water, were moved to safe ground after concerns were raised over their welfare by a group on the social networking site Twitter.

The group of horse lovers known as Friends of the Causeway Horses visited the site to care for the horses; feeding them hay, keeping them warm and giving them clean drinking water.

Nicky Turner-Sterling, one of the volunteers, said: "We're all animal lovers and didn't want to see them suffer."

The owners managed to move most of the animals to safety. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) was also involved in the rescue; giving advice and helping the owners move the remaining six horses off the site.

Chief inspector with the RSPCA, Lee Hopgood, said: "They moved in three weeks before the floods started.

"I don't think they were particularly well briefed by the people who rented the land to them but I have said to them they should have done the research before moving 60 horses on to this farm."

The RSPCA were on hand to check the horses over. The majority were found to be okay, considering the conditions they had been living in; however, three foals which were stranded were found to be suffering from salmonella and had to be put down.


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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
RCVS annual renewal fee for vets due

RCVS' annual renewal fee for veterinary surgeons is now due. Vets must pay their renewal fee before Wednesday, 1 April 2026.

This year's standard annual fee has increased to 431 from last year's 418. This is an approximately three per cent increase, as approved by RCVS Council and the Privy Council.

Tshidi Gardner, RCVS treasurer, said: "The small fee increase will be used to help deliver both our everyday activities and our new ambitious Strategic Plan, which includes aims such as achieving new legislation, reviewing the Codes of Professional Conduct and supporting guidance, and continuing to support the professions through activities such as the Mind Matters Initiative, RCVS Academy and career development."

A full breakdown of the new fees is on the RCVS website. Information about tax relief is available on the UK government website.