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Nature reserve welcomes konik pony foals
Konik ponies are an ideal breed for the purpose, suited to the rigours of life on the fen.

Wicken Fen is maintained by the pony herd.

The National Trust's Wicken Fen site has had 16 new arrivals, with 12 konik pony foals and four Highland cow calves joining the herd, as reported by BBC News.

Originating from Poland, konik ponies have been bred at Wicken Fen nature reserve in Cambridgeshire since 2003 and their grazing is assisting in the creation of habitats for other species at the fen. 

A spokesperson for the National Trust told BBC News that the reserve could not be managed with machinery, so the ponies were brought in to assist: “The animals help keep the landscape open and help wetland and grassland plants to become established.”

Konik ponies are a hardy breed of ponies, and will eat a wide range of vegetation, as well as adapting easily to wetland areas with self-trimming hooves, and an independent nature. 

Over 200 konik ponies have been born at Wicken Fen since breeding began there almost 20 years ago. 

Leaving water-filled hoof prints and dung piles, the ponies attract new species of flora and fauna to the lowland landscape.

Alongside the 12 new equine arrivals, four baby highland cows have been born on the reserve, with the most recent birth being the 100th calf born at the site. These adorable arrivals will be helping to manage the land with the konik ponies, grazing to manage vegetation. 

Image (c) Shutterstock

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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.