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Practices warned on skin conditions
Charities campaign to highlight 'Sweet Itch'

A coalition of charities and animal welfare organisations are urging practices to raise awareness of summer skin condition in horses, with a particular emphasis on Sweet Itch. The designation of March as Sweet Itch Awareness Month (SIAM) has been declared by the British Horse Society (BHS), The Blue Cross, The Horse Trust, Redwings Horse Sanctuary and World Horse Welfare (WHW).

Research by Elanco Companion Animal Health revealed that vets are usually consulted after horse owners have tried and failed to manage the condition themselves (73%) or if the clinical symptoms have reached the stage at which they are deemed severe (67%), which could potentially lead to major welfare implications. The research also found that over a quarter of respondents (26%) did not start managing the conditions before the period of greatest risk in the spring midge season and nearly a third (31%) were obliged to curtail activities with their horses due to behavioural, welfare or aesthetic issues that include aggression and unpredictability.

Commenting, Head of Welfare at the BHS Lee Hackett said "The results of this survey show just how important raising awareness of sweet itch is. All of us, whether we are welfare organisations or vets, need to play our part in educating owners about sweet itch in the hope that they will seek expert advice at an earlier stage and reduce the number of horses that suffer as a result of this condition."

Echoing Mr Hackett's sentiment, Education Officer at The Blue Cross Kerry Taylor said "The Blue Cross is pleased to be supporting the sweet itch campaign to raise awareness of the physical and mental impact this condition has on horses. During our May 2011 National Equine Health Survey, skin problems came out the top syndrome affecting horses, and we continue to see many horses coming into our care suffering from sweet itch. Prevention and early treatment is key to managing the potentially debilitating condition."

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Submissions open for BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026

News Story 1
 The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.

It is an opportunity for applicants to present new research on any veterinary subject, such as the preliminary results of a study, discussion of a new technique or a description of an interesting case.

They must be based on high-quality clinical research conducted in industry, practice or academia, and summarised in 250 words.

Applications are welcome from vets, vet nurses, practice managers, and students.

Submissions are open until 6 March 2026. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Survey seeks ruminant sector views on antimicrobial stewardship

A new survey is seeking views of people working in the UK ruminant sector on how to tackle the challenge of demonstrating responsible antibiotic stewardship.

Forming part of a wider, collaborative initiative, the results will help identify the types of data available so that challenges with data collection can be better understood and addressed.

Anyone working in the UK farming sector, including vets and farmers,is encouraged to complete the survey, which is available at app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk