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Nominations sought for Sir Colin Spedding Award
The award will be formally presented at the National Equine Forum in March 2025.
The closing date is 31 July.

The National Equine Forum (NEF) is seeking nominations for the 2025 Sir Colin Spedding Award.

The award, named in honour of the NEF's founding chairman, celebrates unsung individuals and organisations which have made a difference in the equine world.

The winner will be invited to attend next year's National Equine Forum, to be held in March, where the award will be presented.

Since the award was introduced in 2013, winners have included Simon Curtis, for his work on the development of corrective farriery, Charlotte Thornycroft, for her role in helping horses affected by the war in Ukraine, and Andrew Waller, in recognition of the collective work of the Animal Health Trust's Infectious Disease Group.

Jane Holderness-Roddam, chair of the the Sir Colin Spedding Award sub-committee, said: “If you know an exceptional individual or organisation working within the equestrian sector who deserves recognition for their endeavour we would love to hear from you.
 
“The Sir Colin Spedding Award is one of the most coveted accolades within the equestrian sector and we are proud to have been able to celebrate so many extraordinary individuals, organisations and achievements since its inception in 2013. We look forward to adding to our outstanding roll call in 2025.”

Nominations can be made on the NEF website until noon on 31 July 2024.

Image © NEF

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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.