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International Symposium identifies colic priorities
Focus of research to prioritise epidemiology

A report which was created by the Research Priorities Panel of the International Equine Colic Research Symposium identifying future research priorities in the study of equine colic has been published by the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation. It was written by a panel of distinguished researchers who met during the 10th International Equine Colic Research Symposium, which was held in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, from July 26th to 28th 2012.

The symposium, which alternates every three years between being held in the USA and in Europe, is held to allow leading researchers, residents, practitioners and graduate students to share their thoughts on equine colic. As with symposia in previous years, the gathering in Indianapolis allowed those attending to exchange ideas, propose new collaborations and suggest new directions. At this symposium, the consensus of those attending was that epidemiology should be the primary focus of new research, technological advances have opened promising new avenues of research, and that detailed surveys are required to collect clinical data in certain specific areas.

"I want to thank all the researchers who volunteered their time to help develop this important document," said Symposium Co-Chair Nathaniel White II, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVS. "I look forward to the equine and veterinary communities embracing and using this information to help horses through much needed equine colic research."

The Symposium was presented by AAEP Educational Partner Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. Additional sponsors included the American Quarter Horse Foundation, the British Equine Veterinary Association, Bioniche Animal Health, USA, Inc., the Equine Feed Oat Project, the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, The Horse Trust, Merck Animal Health, the Morris Animal Foundation, the North American Equine Ranching Information Council, Nutramax Laboratories, Inc., Nutrena and Platinum Performance.

A full list of the symposium's conclusions, priorities for future research and projected allocation of resources is available at http://www.aaep.org/images/files/colicresearchsymposiumreportfinal122011.pdf

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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.