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Hot topics to be discussed at equine research conference
"We are very excited to see the exceptional quality of the presentations" - Anne Bondi, director of the Saddle Research Trust.
The Saddle Research Trust's Conference will discuss the latest views within the industry.

'Hot topics' in the equestrian industry will be considered and discussed at the Saddle Research Trust's 4th International Conference, which will be held virtually on Saturday 11 December 2021.

These hot topics will include riders' self-perception of body image, and road-associated risks for riders. 

Research analyst Dr Dee Pollard will review the results of a recent study on current figures of road incidents involving horses and perceptions of road-associated risk in equestrians, and Dr Céleste Wilkins, researcher and lecturer in biomechanics, will discuss dynamic technique analysis of dressage riders. 

Lecturer and post-graduate student at the University Centre Sparsholt, Sofia Forino, will present the findings of her study on female riders' self-perception of body image. She will discuss rider perceptions of judge and coach body image bias and highlight the relationship between female equestrian body image and self-consciousness. 

Sofia will also explore effects of breast size, and what effect this has on both participation and performance success. 

The session will close with an interactive Q&A, and Olympic standard dressage rider Richard Davison will close the 'Hot topics' presentations with his own reflections on the topics. 

Tickets for the conference are available here

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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
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.