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Free equine nutrition course launched
Online course attracts 10,000 participants

University of Edinburgh's Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies has announced a new five-week equine nutrition course.

Lasting for five weeks the course will cover many aspects of equine nutrition, such as anatomy and physiology of the gastrointestinal tract, and the dietary management of horses and ponies affected by nutrition-related disorders. 10,000 people have already signed up for the course, which begins at the end of the month.

This course forms part of the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) which are delivered via the Coursera partnership, a network of leading international universities which offer short undergraduate level online courses for free. The initiative will give participants a taste of higher education for free.

The Royal Dick School is the first Vet School to launch a course as part of this programme. The University of Edinburgh is also the first in the UK to join the Coursera initiative, and are offering six courses in total.

"Students who participate in these free online taster courses at the University of Edinburgh will have access to an array of quality materials provided by world class academics who are leaders in their field." says Dr Jo-Anne Murray, director of taught postgraduate programmes and e-learning at Royal Dick School of Veterinary Studies.

Across 43 courses, more than 1.5 million people have enrolled on courses associated with Coursera. The participating universities have taught more than 650,000 students from 190 countries.

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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. 

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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.