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Brooke’s Responsible Tourism Campaign Gains Support
Not all equine animals used in the tourist trade are kept in the best welfare conditions. Photo courtesy of Martin Usbourne.
The Brooke’s Responsible Tourism for Animals campaign has gained the support of Thomas Cook UK & Ireland. The campaign, now in its second year, calls on all tourists to take action by pledging support and following the Brooke’s Happy Horses Holiday Code.

The Responsible Tourism for Animals campaign urges tourists to think and act responsibly, especially in regard to equine animals employed in the tourist trade. To support the campaign Thomas Cook UK & Ireland has included the Happy Horses Holiday Code in its resort information provided to holidaymakers, in destinations where donkeys and horses are used.

Here are some simple questions taken from the Brooke’ Happy Horses Holiday Code which every tourist should ask before riding on one of the many equine animals promoted to tourists:
 
  • Is the animal happy and healthy?
  • Can it carry/ pull my weight?
  • Am I paying a fair price?
 
Andy Cooper, Director of Government & External Affairs at Thomas Cook Group, said, “Thomas Cook UK & Ireland has been actively addressing sustainability issues for many years. We take responsible tourism very seriously, so we are delighted to support the Brooke’s campaign.”

Some equine animals in the tourist trade are forced to carry more weight than they should. Photo courtesy of Martin Usbourne.
Kimberly Wells from Brooke’s Animal Welfare team adds: “When people travel overseas their excitement of being on holiday can often overshadow consideration for the welfare of horses and donkeys they use.  Whilst a carriage or donkey ride can be fun and also provide a vital income for animal owners, not every horse and donkey is fit for the journey.
 
 “We are urging tourists to do their bit and work with us to reduce animal suffering across the world. It’s simple: think before you ride! By following the Brooke’s Happy Horses Holiday Code when on holiday, all tourists can help make a huge difference to the lives of working horses and donkeys overseas.”

The Brooke is a UK charity dedicated to alleviating the suffering of horses, donkeys and mules across the developing world. Read more about their work 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.