In just 5 minutes horse owners can help to secure a healthier future for horses. The National Equine Health Survey (NEHS) is the only project of its kind, enabling horse owners to give anonymous feedback about the health of their horses, ponies and donkeys so that the most common diseases and problems can be identified, prioritised and addressed. It has now been running for 5 years and is already helping to make an important difference to equine health and welfare. It is run by Blue Cross, in partnership with the British Equine Veterinary Association, and with the support of many of the country's leading equestrian charities and organisations.
The results are referenced in leading veterinary and equestrian publications and papers and are regarded as valuable benchmarks for our general knowledge of horse health. Last year survey records were returned for almost 15 000 horses ponies, donkeys and mules.
Evidence rather than opinion
A key finding in 2015 was that lameness is three times more likely to be caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis in the limb rather than problems in the foot. In addition almost a quarter of horses were recorded as overweight or obese, continuing the upward trend shown in previous years. The consistent pattern of results year on year shows that evidence rather than opinion is now being generated by the report, helping owners and experts to understand and improve the health of the country's horses.
Top six disease syndromes in 2015
The six most notable disease syndromes identified in the 2015 were:
- Lameness — 18% with 13.5% having limb lameness such as osteoarthritis (degenerative joint disease) not relating to the foot
- Skin diseases — 17.2% (sweet itch, mud fever and external parasites)
- Back problems — 7%
- Recurrent airway obstruction — 6.7%
- Laminitis — 6.4%
- PPID (‘equine Cushing's disease) — 6.4% confirmed or suspected.
NEHS is helping us to steer equine welfare awareness, education and research with the sole purpose of safeguarding the future healthcare of our horses. By giving 5 minutes of your time to complete the survey you can help to make a lifetime of difference.
How to take part
It takes no more than 5 minutes to complete the survey online and all details remain anonymous. Visit www.bluecross.org.uk/NEHS or email NEHS@bluecross.org.uk to register.
Spread the word
You can also help to spread the word via twitter @ bluecrossedu or join our Facebook events page and invite others at https://www.facebook.com/events/399709143522970/
Everyone who takes part will have the chance to win some amazing prizes including a pair of Lister Star clippers, a pair of tickets to the Olympia The International Horse Show in December and a pair of Ariat Skyline GTX boots. To visit the full list of prizes visit https://www.bluecross.org.uk/125014/Prizes-forNEHS.html