Watch National Equine Forum 2024 Sessions Online for Free

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This year’s National Equine Forum (NEF) tackled some of the most important topics shaping the
future of the equestrian world. Whether you're a professional, amateur, or horse owner, there's something for everyone.

All sessions are now available to watch online for free.

Highlights from the 2024 NEF Programme:

Equine Grass Sickness. Professor Bruce McGorum (Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies) shared exciting new research suggesting that a neurotoxin produced by pasture microbes—with similarities to snake venom—may be the cause of equine grass sickness (EGS).

This discovery opens the door to better diagnostics and potential treatments. Ongoing research includes the development of an EGS biobank and a weather app to help predict risk.

Atypical Myopathy – The Risk from Sycamores Professor Richard Piercy (Royal Veterinary College) explained that atypical myopathy is caused by the toxin Hypoglycin A, found in sycamore seeds, seedlings, and leaves.
The risk varies each year and even between trees. Toxin levels are highest in seedlings, and the toxin remains active even in hay or after mowing. Prevention tips include:

• Avoid grazing near sycamore trees
• Use hay racks
• Bring horses in at night

Other Key Topics Included:

Equine Nutrition: Safe feeding practices, the essential role of forage, and where to find trustworthy nutrition advice.

Equine-Assisted Services: The many ways horses support human wellbeing, both in and out of the saddle.

“Being able to communicate current knowledge on equine health and welfare and our human relationship with horses with so many people was an absolute privilege,” said NEF Chair Tim Brigstocke. “It is with grateful thanks to our generous sponsors, friends and live streaming supporters that we have been able achieve record numbers of delegates this year. Sharing and debating across the sector in a non-partisan way is at the heart of the NEF and this year’s event has demonstrated how unified we are, for the good of the horse.”

 

Sessions from NEF25 have been posted on NEF’s YouTube channel<https://www.youtube.com/c/nationalequineforum>; 

Cloning Offers New Hope for Genetic Diversity in Przewalski’s Horses

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A recent report highlights how cloning from cryopreserved cells can help increase genetic diversity in Przewalski’s
horses—an endangered species whose entire population today descends from a very limited number of wild ancestors.

The Przewalski’s horse (Equus przewalskii), once extinct in the wild, was saved through being bred in captivity and later reintroduced into its native habitats. This recovery program has been highly successful - with approximately 3,000 individuals alive today. However, it is important to recognise that all these horses trace back to just 12 wild-caught animals, captured between 1898 and 1947. As a result, the current global population is genetically narrow, with only five founder lineages represented in today's horses.

To address this genetic bottleneck, scientists are exploring advanced reproductive technologies, including cloning from cryopreserved cells. This approach could either restore lost genetic variation or amplify the presence of underrepresented lineages in the population. Such efforts rely on biological materials preserved in biobanks specifically for conservation purposes.

Since the 1970s, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Frozen Zoo® - a major component of their Biodiversity Bank - has stored cells and tissues from 575 Przewalski’s horses spanning many generations. Among these samples was one from a stallion known as Studbook Number 615, or "Kuporovitch," who lived from 1975 to 1998. Despite his valuable genetics, Kuporovitch was underrepresented in the breeding program, making him an ideal candidate for cloning.

In a study published in the journal Animals, Ben Novak and colleagues reported the successful birth of two healthy clones of Kuporovitch. These clones were created using cross-species somatic cell nuclear transfer - a method in which the nucleus of a preserved Przewalski’s horse cell is inserted into an enucleated domestic horse ovum (egg), which is then implanted into a domestic horse surrogate mother. The first clone was born in 2020, followed by a second in 2023.

Both clones were genetically verified using standard pedigree genotyping, and one clone’s identity was further confirmed through whole-genome sequencing. 

The research team point out that this is the first time multiple clones of an endangered species have survived the perinatal period, marking a significant achievement in conservation science.

They add that, although only two clones were produced, both attempts at cloning were successful, demonstrating the reproducibility and reliability of cloning for genetic rescue purposes for the endangered Przewalski’s horse. 

This breakthrough makes the Przewalski’s horse only the fifth endangered species to be successfully cloned, and one of the first where cloning has been used as an active tool for conservation management. It opens the door to more strategic use of biobanked genetic material in future recovery efforts - not just to prevent extinction, but to enrich and diversify the genetic makeup of rebounding populations.

 

For more details , see: 

 

Novak, Ben J., Oliver A. Ryder, Marlys L. Houck, Kelcey Walker, Lexie Russell, Blake Russell, Shawn Walker, Sanaz Sadeghieh Arenivas, Lauren Aston, Gregg Veneklasen, and et al. 2025. 

Endangered Przewalski’s Horse, Equus przewalskii, Cloned from Historically Cryopreserved Cells 

Animals (2025) 15, no. 5: 613.

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15050613

Leg mites and CPL in Belgian draft horses

(c) Hortensja Buckietowa CCbySA4.0

 A recent study provides evidence of a strong link between Chorioptes bovis mite infestation and
Chronic Progressive Lymphoedema prevalence in Belgian draft horses.

Chronic Progressive Lymphoedema (CPL) is a debilitating condition of the lymphatic system in horses, characterised by chronic inflammation, fluid accumulation, and progressive skin changes. Over time, the skin becomes rough, scaly, and thickened, with the formation of deep folds and creases. The skin folds can trap dirt and moisture, creating an ideal environment for bacterial and fungal infections.

 

In advanced cases, horses may experience pain and stiffness, leading to lameness.

CPL occurs most commonly in draft and heavy horse breeds, particularly those with heavily feathered legs. Such breeds are also prone to infection with Chorioptes bovis (mange mites)

Commonly affected breeds include: Shire Horses, Clydesdales, Belgian Draft Horses.

 

A study conducted by Marieke Brys and colleagues at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium, investigated the prevalence of CPL and Chorioptes bovis mite infestation in two horse breeds. A full report of their work is published in Veterinary Research Communications.

 

The research team examined 156 Belgian draft (also known as Brabant) horses and 142 Belgian warmblood horses.

 

They performed clinical examinations to assess for signs of CPL and took skin scrapings from the lower legs to detect the presence of Chorioptes bovis mites, a common cause of mange in horses.

 

They found that 144 out of 156 Belgian draft horses (92.31%) were infested with Chorioptes bovis mites. One hundred and twenty-six of the Belgian draft horses (80.77%) showed clinical signs of CPL.

 

In contrast, none of the 142 Belgian warmblood horses showed signs of CPL or mite infestation, highlighting a stark contrast between the two breeds.

 

The researchers found a significant association between mite infestation and CPL prevalence in Belgian draft horses. Horses infested with C. bovis were nearly twice as likely to exhibit CPL compared to non-infested horses.

 

The study noted a substantial absolute increase in CPL prevalence among mite-infested horses, indicating that mite infestation may contribute to the development or exacerbation of CPL.

 

The study provides compelling evidence of a strong link between Chorioptes bovis mite infestation and CPL prevalence in Belgian draft horses. The findings underscore the need for effective mite management strategies to reduce the incidence and severity of CPL, ultimately improving equine welfare and quality of life.

 

The researchers concluded that effective mite management is important for reducing the burden of CPL in draft horses. 

For more details, see: 

Brys M, Claerebout E, Saey V, Chiers K. 

High prevalence of Chorioptes bovis: an important factor in chronic progressive lymphedema in Belgian draft horses. 

Veterinary Research Communications (2025);49(3):129. 

https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-025-10695-y

Trazodone detection in horse hair

(c) Margaret. Dreamstime.com

 Recent work has shown that trazadone can be detected in mane hair samples.

Trazodone is a pharmaceutical agent originally developed for human use, where it is classified as a serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor (SARI). This means it has a dual action on serotonin receptors: it blocks certain serotonin receptors (antagonist) while enhancing serotonin levels in the brain by inhibiting its reuptake (agonist effect). This results in dose-dependent effects.

 

At low doses, it works mostly as a sedative, making the person - or animal - feel drowsy. At higher doses, it helps reduce anxiety and depression. Because of its calming effects, some veterinarians have used trazodone in horses, especially those on box rest, when confined to a stable for a long time to recover from an injury. It can help keep the horse relax and prevent stress or injury.

 

However, trazodone is listed as a prohibited substance by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) and other governing bodies. Its detection in blood or urine constitutes an anti-doping rule violation, resulting in suspensions for both the athlete (jockey or trainer) and the horse involved. This classification highlights the need for robust testing methods and forensic scrutiny.

 

To detect if a horse has been given trazodone, testing is usually done on blood or urine samples. But there's a growing interest in using hair testing because it can show long-term exposure - like a record of what the horse has been given over weeks or months.

 

In recent work, Pascal Kintz and his team at the Institut de Médecine Légale in Strasbourg developed a new method to detect trazodone in horse hair. Their findings were published in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology.

 

The team received mane hair samples from two horses suspected of having been given trazodone. Using their new method, they were able to detect extremely small amounts of the drug - as little as 0.1 picograms per milligram of hair.

 

In one case, a horse tested positive for 0.4 pg/mg, supporting a previous doping violation. In the second case, trazodone was found at 9 pg/mg and 24 pg/mg in two different segments of the mane - strong evidence that the horse had been given the drug multiple times.

 

While the researchers say it's still not possible to determine the exact dose or timing of the drug just from a hair sample, this study is the first confirmed evidence that trazodone can be incorporated into a horse's hair and detected long after administration.

 

As hair testing continues to improve, it could become an important tool in protecting the fairness and integrity of equine sports.

For more details, see: 

Pascal Kintz, Morgane Baudry, Laurie Gheddar, 

Testing for trazodone, an antidepressant, in hair collected from horses, 

Journal of Analytical Toxicology, (2025), bkaf025

https://doi.org/10.1093/jat/bkaf025

BHA expands anti-doping programme to include gene doping tests

(c) Neil Wright | Dreamstime

 The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is stepping up its efforts to protect racehorse welfare and the integrity of British racing by adding gene doping detection to its regular anti-doping programme.

From now on, testing for signs of gene doping will be part of routine raceday and out-of-competition samples.

Gene doping involves using gene therapy techniques to artificially enhance a horse’s performance. This could mean altering a horse’s DNA or adding foreign genes to increase muscle, boost stamina, speed up recovery, or reduce fatigue and pain—none of which are allowed under the Rules of Racing.

 

Recognised as a growing threat to horse welfare, fair competition, and the future of the breed, gene doping is banned in racing worldwide.

 

To tackle this risk, the BHA has invested nearly £2 million in research at the LGC lab in Fordham. Since 2019, LGC has been working—alongside the Centre for Racehorse Studies and with support from the BHA—to develop reliable methods for detecting gene doping. These efforts have now paid off.

 

LGC’s lab has also gained official accreditation from the UK Accreditation Service, making it the first to launch this new generation of gene doping tests.

 

These tests will now become a regular part of the BHA’s broader anti-doping strategy, which includes random and targeted sampling to spot the misuse of drugs or methods that could give competitors an unfair edge or harm the horses.

 

In a press release, The BHA’s Acting Chief Executive Officer, Brant Dunshea, said:

“Testing for gene doping is a significant step forward for British racing and reinforces our commitment to safeguarding the welfare of our horses, protecting the thoroughbred breed and integrity of our competition.

Could You Help Shape the Future of Equine Science? Now’s Your Chance! Free webinar shows you how…

Horses Inside Out is on the lookout for passionate equine coaches, therapists, vets, and professionals just like you—people who bring science to life through real-world experience and a deep love for horses. If you’ve ever wanted to make a real difference in the field of equine science, this is your opportunity.

Presenting a scientific poster at a conference might sound like something only researchers do—but that’s not the case! As a busy equestrian professional, you may have thought your insights or field data wouldn’t be suitable. Think again.

The knowledge and information you gather in your day-to-day practice can be incredibly valuable. When analysed and presented effectively, it can influence future practices, inspire innovation, and help improve the welfare and performance of horses everywhere.

Could you create a scientific poster for the Horses Inside Out Conference 2026? Whether you have a case study, a small research project, or even practical field observations to share, your contribution matters.

To guide you through the process, Horses Inside Out are hosting a free live webinar with Professor Meriel Moore-Colyer. She’ll walk you through everything you need to know: 

• Choosing the right topic; 
• Structuring your poster; 
• Presenting your data clearly; 
• Making an impact with your message

📅 Date: Wednesday 21 May 2025
⏰ Time: 7pm–8pm (BST)
💻 Location: Online via Zoom

Don't miss this opportunity to gain the confidence and skills to create and present your own scientific poster. Let’s make equine science more accessible and practitioner-led.

Sign up now and get involved. Here is the link for the free webinar:

 https://www.horsesinsideout.com/events/mastering-scientific-posters