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Free laminitis pack for owners
Leaflets to help bust myths about disease

Redwings Horse Sanctuary has produced information leaflets on laminitis to help address myths surrounding the disease.

Following the discovery that 90 per cent of laminitis cases are caused by one of two underlying conditions, the sanctuary decided to take action to educate owners.

The two conditions linked with the disease are Equine Metabolic Syndrome, which is directly associated with obesity, and Equine Cushing's Disease, which is neither preventable nor curable.

According to Redwings, any horse with either condition should not be allowed to graze spring grass, as they will be particularly susceptible to laminitis.

"Laminitis itself is shrouded in myths and confusion," said Redwings' vet, Roxane Kirton, who mentioned walking it off, a few days in the stable and hot feet are all myths that surround the disease.

"Research is ongoing, but recent research suggests most cases of laminitis are a sign of either Equine Cushing's Disease or Equine Metabolic Syndrome.

"We have produced a set of free leaflets to help horse owners understand these two conditions, as well as what to do if laminitis strikes and how to spot its often-subtle symptoms."

Email Redwings or call 01508 481008 to order your free copy of the laminitis pack.

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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.