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Equine veterinary research gets £1.6 million boost
HBLB awarded research and education grants

The Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) has awarded £1.6 million in equine veterinary research and education grants for 2013, an increase of over 30 per cent on this year's allocation.

Nine new research projects will be supported in disciplines that reflect the HBLB's research priorities. The prevention of infectious disease remains a key priority and one in which the HLB has invested over the years. Previous funding towards effective vaccines for 'rattles' and strangles will be built upon, as will the modelling of the potential effects of African Horse Sickness, in the event of it spreading to Britain.

The creation of a rapid diagnostic test for West Nile disease will also receive funding, and research will also commence towards improved vaccines and novel drugs to protect the thoroughbred breeding industry from equine herpes virus, which can cause abortion, neonatal death and neurological disease.

Professor Willie Donachie, Chair of the HBLB's Veterinary Advisory Committee, said: "We are delighted that the Board has been able to commit £1.6m in 2012 and continue with its long-standing and effective investment in key areas such as infectious disease, racehorse safety and musculoskeletal injury. The grants that have been awarded support a full programme of scientific research and education that will make relevant and useful contributions to racehorse health for owners, breeders, trainers and their veterinary advisers."



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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.