Great opportunity for retailers and manufacturers of equine health care and biosecurity products.
Equine Health Week – to run from 28 November to 4 December – will urge the UK’s equestrian community to reduce disease risks to their horses.
Run by British Equestrian, educational content from leading vets is to feature across its social media channels – with businesses invited to share the information.
Many of the presenting veterinary experts sit on British Equestrian’s Equine Infectious Diseases Advisory Group (EIDAG) which has drawn up a plan for reducing infectious disease spread at equestrian gatherings.
However, this new initiative covers overall equine health, parasite control and yard biosecurity too.
“Equine Health Week is aimed at everyone who interacts with equines – whether they ride occasionally at a centre, have their own horse or run a bustling yard, everyone has a part to play in the health, wellbeing and welfare of our partners,” said a spokesman for British Equestrian.
“Based around the theme of ‘reducing disease risk together’, there’s a packed seven-day programme of daily social media posts.
“We’ll be featuring a ‘disease of the day’, where some of our common – and not-so-common – conditions will be put in the spotlight.
“There will also be top tips to promote good health management and biosecurity at home and when out competing, and vet talks covering the principles of vaccination, the fight against disease and protection against parasites.”
Highlighting the commercial implications of good equine health, Celia Marr, chair of British Equestrian’s EIDAG, said: “The 2019 equine influenza outbreak in Britain and the equine herpes virus epidemic of 2021, which shut down European competition, serve as reminders of the importance of good practice.
“We’re hopeful Equine Health Week will give guidance and raise awareness for those responsible for horses. We’re also looking forward to launching our handbook for venues, which will be another tool in our campaign for good biosecurity across the equine industry.”
British Equestrian has confirmed that Equine Health Week is to become an annual fixture.
An outline content plan for the week is as follows (topics and experts maybe subject to change):
| Disease of the day | Top tips | Vet talk | |
| Monday 28 November | Equine Influenza Richard Newton | Signs of good health Roly Owers | Equine Influenza vaccination Richard Newton |
| Tuesday 29 November | Strangles Scott Pirie | Introducing new horses David Rendle | The case for six monthly EI vaccination Richard Newton |
| Wednesday 30 November | Equine Herpes Phil Ivens | Biosecurity at home Celia Marr | The fight against disease: antimicrobial stewardship and antibiotic resistance Sarah Smith |
| Thursday 1 December | Tetanus Celia Marr | Pre-competition checks Phil Ivens | Protecting against parasites: anthelmintic resistance David Rendle |
| Friday 2 December | Ringworm David Rendle | Competition safety Richard Newton | The case for EHV vaccination Phil Ivens |
| Saturday 3 December | Breeding diseases James Crabtree | How disease spreads British Grooms Association | LAUNCH: venue handbook Celia Marr |
| Sunday 4 December | Exotic diseases Matthew Robin | Professional visits – staying safe Jane Nixon | Wrap up of the week |
Follow the week – and get involved – across the British Equestrian social channels:
Facebook - @British Equestrian
Instagram - @britishequestrian_official
Twitter - @BritEquestrian
YouTube - @British Equestrian
LinkedIn - @British Equestrian
