Now in its fourth year, the National Equine Health Survey (NEHS) has become an essential way for owners to help safeguard the future health and welfare of the whole nation's horses. This is reflected by the support of more leading organisations than in the survey's history, including the BEF, BETA, BHS, NEWC, Redwings, the TBA and WHW. They will all be actively encouraging their members to take part.
Organised by Blue Cross, in partnership with BEVA, the NEHS is a quick, easy and anonymous online snapshot survey that records common health issues in horses, directly from horse owners themselves. NEHS data have revealed crucial information about common diseases such as skin problems, lameness, weight issues and colic. The results are shared across the sector to help establish benchmarks for equine health and disease in the UK and define priorities for future research, training and education. The data are also released to equine and veterinary colleges and universities to be used as primary source material.
Last year's survey revealed that 18.6% of horses were suffering with lameness issues, predominantly degenerative joint disease, a 5% increase on the previous year. This suggests a need to increase awareness of lameness management and prevention amongst the veterinary industry and owners.
The threat of disease spread from Europe is becoming a very real issue. This year, with support from the Equine Disease Coalition, the survey includes new questions on equine infectious disease. In the face of Defra's plans to downgrade the disease status of Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) and Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) it is more important than ever that the UK equine industry can demonstrate that it is taking its share of responsibility for equine health. The new questions should help to find out more about yard biosecurity measures and the potential risks associated with horses being purchased from Europe.
At the Blue Cross we have had first hand experience of infectious disease management over the past 4 years. We follow rigorous biosecurity procedures and successfully minimised two outbreaks of strangles when infected horses had to be urgently admitted to the charity.
Ragwort has also continued to rear its toxic yellow head and appears to be proliferating in the UK, presenting a potentially fatal health hazard to horses and ponies. To help us find out more about how it is recognised and controlled we have included two specific questions on ragwort in the survey this year. Capturing data about how horse owners and keepers regard and manage the problem of ragwort should help benchmark the problem and enable appropriate measures to be taken to combat it, both on local and national levels.
It's only with help from people like you, who own and work with horses and ponies that we can make NEHS bigger and more valuable than ever, to help improve the future health of our nation's horses. The more data we have the better the accuracy of the picture we are building. We are urging all owners and keepers of horses to participate in the NEHS when it runs from 18–24 May 2014. By taking part not only will you and your clients be helping horses but you will also be entered into a draw to win some amazing prizes including a Jefferies Bridle, Olympia Tickets, Arthur Carter Hay steamer and many other fabulous prizes. Visit www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS or email NEHS@bluecross.org.uk to find out more and to register.