Background : Anthelmintic resistance in equine parasites is increasing. Frequent anthelmintic use accelerates selection for resistance. Objectives : Investigate how horse owners currently use anthelmintics to control intestinal parasites. Study design : Online survey. Methods: Questionnaire distributed via practices, equestrian organisations, etc., December 2021 to October 2022. Combination of multiple choice, Likert scale and free text questions. Descriptive / inferential statistics performed (Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS). Results : 4232 useable responses. Owners of horses on livery yards less likely to make worming decisions compared to those on private properties (p<0.001); managers made decisions in 39.6% of horses on livery yards; 60.7% of owners sought worming advice from their veterinarian; 52.0% administered anthelmintics based on routine faecal egg counts (FECs) / tapeworm serology result; 30.0% routinely tested, but wormed at least once a year regardless of the results; 16.1% did not test, but wormed at least once a year. Owners were more likely to administer anthelmintics based on test results if they sought veterinary advice or were on a health programme (both p<0.001). Of those who routinely wormed, 54.9% wormed once a year; 45.1% wormed twice or more a year. Frequency of routine worming was higher if they didn’t routinely test (p<0.001); 88.9% simultaneously wormed all horses on the pasture. Moxidectin was the first choice for 82.2% of owners who routinely wormed at least once yearly. Routine FECs were performed by 84.7%, higher for those who sought veterinary advice (89.3%, p<0.001). Tapeworm ELISAs were utilised by 40.8%, higher for those on a health programme (68.1%; p<0.001); 58.5% routinely treated for tapeworms regardless of test results. Main Limitations : Selection bias. Conclusions : Owners apply moderately good diagnostic-led parasite control practices, but still common to regularly treat with anthelmintics (30.0% worming at least once a year regardless of the FEC results).

Background : Anthelmintic resistance in equine parasites is increasing. Pasture management is a vital component of parasite control, and is important to limit the development of resistance. Objectives : Investigate how horse owners use management procedures to control common intestinal parasites in horses. Study design : Online survey. Methods : Questionnaire distributed via practices, equestrian organisations, etc., December 2021 - October 2022. Combination of multiple choice, Likert scale and free text questions. Descriptive and inferential statistics performed in Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS. Results : 4232 useable responses from the UK, predominantly England (85.4%). Premises included livery yards (45.7%) and private properties (51.1%). Most horses (70.4%) were aged 6-20 years. Over half (55.9%) were used for general riding/pleasure; 58.9% grazed with 1-3 other horses, while 20.7% grazed alone; 21.5% alternated or co-grazed with ruminants (significantly higher for horses grazing on private properties compared to horses grazing on livery yards; 73.3% of owners removed faeces from pastures (poo-picking), of which 86.4% removed faeces twice a week or more. Owners of horses pastured individually were significantly more likely to poo-pick (89.8%) than horses pastured in groups (68.9%); 77.1% of respondents rested pastures, but less than 5% for over 6 months. Only 5.1% of owners reported they had experienced illnesses related to worms in any horse (commonest clinical signs were colic and weight loss). Limitations : Selection bias. Conclusions : Results suggest a lack of understanding of the principles of non-chemical parasite control among many horse owners. Many owners (>25%) are not routinely poo-picking. Horses pastured alone or kept on a private property were significantly more likely to have their faeces regularly removed than thoses pastured in groups or kept on livery yards.

Background There are limited data on outcomes and complications of conjunctival pedicle grafts in horses. Objective Document the indications, complications and outcomes of conjunctival pedicle grafts in horses. Study Design Retrospective case series. Methods Review of case records of horses with corneal diseases managed using conjunctival pedicle grafts. History, clinical findings, treatments, complications, and outcomes were recorded. Results 26 horses were treated by conjunctival pedicle grafts over a 16 years period. The indications were deep corneal ulceration (n=9), non-healing superficial corneal ulceration (n=6), corneal stromal abscessation (n=5), corneal laceration (n=3) and keratomalacia (n=3). Short term complications occurred in 12 horses (46%), the commonest being necrosis of the graft (n=6); in 3 cases, the corneal lesion healed following debridement, but in 2 the affected eye required enucleation and one was euthanased. Keratomalacia and ulceration extending beyond the graft occurred in 3 horses, all of which were enucleated. Uveitis occurred in 6 horses (4 cases prior to discharge and 2 after discharge); enucleation was required in 5 of these horses. Phthisis bulbi occurred prior to discharge in one horse and after discharge in another. Two horses had decreased faecal output after surgery (one had caecal impaction). In 6/26 cases (23%) enucleation was required prior to hospital discharge. One horse was euthanased due to post-operative caecal impaction. The short-term success rate was 69%. Two horses (8%) required enucleation after discharge from the hospital and the long-term success rate was 58%. Main Limitations Small number of cases with variety of different diseases of varying severities. Conclusions Conjunctival pedicle grafts were successfully employed to treat several corneal diseases including chronic superficial corneal ulceration, deep corneal ulceration, corneal stromal abscesses, corneal lacerations and keratomalacia. The short-term success rate was 69%. Long-term follow-up indicated a good prognosis for most horses that had a successful short-term outcome.

Background: Colic is the commonest emergency in first opinion equine practice. Early referral is important for horses requiring surgery. Fast localised abdominal ultrasonography of horses (FLASH) is frequently used as a diagnostic tool in the investigation of colic at referral hospitals, but its use in first opinion practice has not been evaluated. Objective: To assess the value of FLASH scanning in the primary assessment of horses with colic in the field, using a portable wireless ultrasound system. Study design: Prospective study (2018-2021). Methods: Any horse examined for colic as an emergency in a first opinion ambulatory practice was eligible for inclusion in the study. A FLASH examination was performed using a wireless handheld ultrasound scanner, with the images displayed on a smartphone or tablet. The findings on FLASH scans and outcome of the case (recovered, referred for surgery or euthanised without referral) were recorded. Results: 135 equids with acute colic were evaluated. Of the 135 horses, 49 (36%) had an abnormal finding on FLASH scanning, including distended loops of small intestine (n=34), thickened small intestinal walls (n=23) and/or distension of the stomach (n=7). Reduced small intestinal motility was recorded in 52 animals (38%). Follow-up information was available in all animals: 50 (37%) were euthanised due to clinical deterioration and the owners’ decision not to undertake surgery; 85/135 (63%) survived, including 5/85 (6%) that underwent surgery and 80/85 (94%) that resolved with medical management. Main limitations: Small number of cases. Lack of results of post-mortem examination of horses that were euthanised. Potential selection bias. Conclusion: The FLASH technique can be valuable in the primary assessment of horses with colic in first opinion ambulatory practice. Further evaluation with more cases is required.

Background: Workforce shortages are key challenges facing veterinary practice. Anecdotal evidence suggests that veterinary students are less interested in entering equine practice than previously. Objectives: To investigate veterinary students’ perceptions about their equine veterinary education and about working in equine practice. Study Design: On-line survey. Methods: Survey distributed via social media to veterinary students at UK veterinary schools. Questions to document intended career path of students and evaluate perceptions about careers in equine practice. Results: 744 students completed the survey - from all 10 veterinary schools. 88.8% intended to work in clinical practice (32.9% mixed; 25.3% small animal; 20.2% equine; 10.9% farm; 10.7% other/undecided). Factors considered most important for their first job included: mentoring and support (47.0%), team and practice culture (26.2%), working hours (including out-of-hours) (9.2%), location (6.6%), salary and benefits (5.7%) and familiarity with the practice (3.1%). 55.2% felt there were barriers to entering equine practice. 46.9% had ridden a horse regularly; 14.2% had never ridden. Respondents in clinical years rated their university training in equine practice as ‘Excellent’ (10.0%), ‘Good’ (45.9%), ‘OK’ (35.3%), ‘Poor’ (7.0%) and ‘Rubbish’ (1.8%). 48.9% respondents felt EMS had contributed most to their equine training. Statistical associations were identified between the following variables and intention to work in equine practice: owning a horse, having ever ridden a horse, confidence in handling horses, student membership of BEVA, and desire to undertake an internship. Main Limitations: Potential selection bias. Conclusions: 20% of students reporting an intention in equine work does not explain problems with recruitment of equine vets. Potential mismatch between numbers of students interested in equine practice and availability of equine jobs for new graduates. Students with pre-existing equine interest /experience were more likely to want to enter equine practice. EMS appears important for students’ training in equine medicine.