Free access to National Equine Forum live stream

The National Equine Forum (NEF) will be open to everyone this year through a free live stream. This annual event takes place on Thursday, 6th March 2025, at the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) in London. A limited number of in-person tickets remain available, including discounted afternoon tickets for those in equestrian education.

“It is with huge thanks to our generous live streaming supporters that we have been able to offer the live stream free of charge this year,” said NEF Chairman Tim Brigstocke. “NEF is a not-for-profit event organised by a committee including many volunteers. 

 

“Our intention is to share educational, important and topical information with as many members of the equestrian sector as possible, to support progress and cohesion within the sector. With this year’s free live stream, together with our discounted live event afternoon tickets for educational establishments, we will be able to achieve our intention with even greater effect.”

This year’s NEF programme will cover key issues shaping the future of equestrianism, that should be relevant for everyone in the equestrian sector—professionals, amateurs, and horse owners alike. Highlights include:

• The Equine Industry in a Changing World: A Parliamentary perspective on the sector’s current status and a review of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
• Equine Health Updates: The latest information on some of the most serious disease threats to horses in the UK.
• Equine Feeds: A focus on feed safety and legality, the vital role of forage, and sources for reliable nutrition advice.
• Equine-Assisted Services: An in-depth look at the roles horses play, both ridden and unmounted, in supporting people.
• The Memorial Lecture: Case studies exploring how charities are collaborating to address emerging equine welfare challenges in Britain.
• The Sir Colin Spedding Award: Announcement of this year’s recipient.
• Q&A Sessions: Opportunities for attendees and live stream viewers to engage directly with the discussions.
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To register for the Live stream visit https://NEF25LS.eventbrite.co.uk   

 

or to book a face-to-face, all-day ticket go to: https://NEF25.eventbrite.co.uk

 

Further information can be found on the NEF website.  

https://www.nationalequineforum.com/forum-2025/

Discovery links genes to performance-limiting disease in Thoroughbred racehorses

(c) Miltudog Dreamstime.com

 New research has identified specific genetic markers linked to Recurrent Laryngeal Neuropathy (RLN), a disease that significantly impacts the performance of Thoroughbred racehorses. This discovery, hailed as a major step forward in combating this debilitating condition, paves the way for the development of a genetic test to identify horses with a threefold increased risk of developing RLN. 

Often referred to as laryngeal hemiplegia or "roaring," RLN is an upper respiratory tract (URT) disorder that affects up to 18% of Thoroughbred horses. The condition is characterised by the progressive degeneration of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, which controls the muscles that open the horse’s airway. As the disease progresses, airflow during exercise becomes restricted, leading to laboured breathing, reduced oxygen intake, and impaired athletic performance.

 

RLN represents a significant challenge for the Thoroughbred racing industry due to its economic and competitive implications. While pre-purchase examinations, including upper respiratory endoscopy ("scoping"), can detect RLN, resting evaluations in young horses often fail to identify the disease or predict its future onset.

 

To tackle these challenges, researchers at University College Dublin, in collaboration with Equinome and a world-class Thoroughbred training facility, conducted an extensive study funded by Research Ireland. The research team employed state-of-the-art diagnostic methods, including resting and overground exercising endoscopy of the upper airway, as well as laryngeal ultrasonography. This rigorous approach ensured accurate phenotyping of horses as either RLN cases or controls.

 

The study analysed over 200 Thoroughbred horses in training, utilizing both clinical evaluations and genetic testing. The case-cohort group was supplemented with detailed questionnaires to capture additional phenotypic data. A full report of the research is published in the Equine Veterinary Journal.

 

Using advanced DNA technologies, researchers conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic variants associated with RLN. They genotyped 43,831 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from 235 horses (110 RLN cases and 125 controls) and estimated the heritability of the trait. The findings revealed a set of genetic markers that significantly contribute to RLN risk, independent of other factors such as height.

 

This discovery is particularly important because it confirms a genetic predisposition to RLN and identifies specific markers that could be used to predict the disease in Thoroughbreds.

This research marks a significant advance in equine genetics and respiratory health, offering new hope for addressing RLN, a disease that has long plagued the Thoroughbred racing industry. The ability to identify horses with a higher genetic risk for RLN has far-reaching implications for the Thoroughbred racing industry. 

 

The next step will involve translating these findings into a practical genetic test that can be readily adopted by breeders, trainers, and veterinarians.

 

UCD Professor in Equine Genomics and Chief Science Officer at Equinome, Emmeline Hill said the new findings would “lay the groundwork for the development of a genetic test to improve the welfare of horses that have a genetic predisposition to the disease. 

“As well as identifying horses with an increased risk of disease, this new information could also inform breeding guidance to reduce the incidence of the disease and provide targets for new therapies.”

Project lead Lisa Katz, UCD Professor in Equine Internal Medicine, added: “Understanding the genetic risk of your horse for roaring can help with early intervention and management. This might include monitoring highly predisposed horses more closely and considering surgical interventions at an earlier stage to improve treatment success.”

 

For more details, see: 

 

A genome-wide association study for recurrent laryngeal neuropathy in the Thoroughbred horse identifies a candidate gene that regulates myelin structure

Charlotte L. McGivney, Beatrice A. McGivney, Gabriella Farries, Katie F. Gough, Haige Han, Amy R. Holtby, David E. MacHugh, Lisa Michelle Katz, Emmeline W. Hill

Equine Vet J (2025)

https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.14461

Mediterranean donkey milk production

(c) Zoran Nikolic Dreamstime.com

 Donkey milk has been prized since ancient times for its cosmetic and nutritional benefits. According to legend, Cleopatra, famed for her beauty, bathed in donkey milk to maintain her radiant complexion. It is said that she kept a herd of 700 donkeys to ensure a steady supply of milk for her beauty rituals.

In modern times, donkey milk is increasingly recognised as a valuable dairy alternative due to its unique composition and health benefits. But is all donkey milk the same, or do breed differences influence its properties?

 

A study led by Mohamed Aroua, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Jendouba, Tunisia, and the University of Molise, Italy, examined the milk production and nutritional quality of two Mediterranean donkey breeds, Masri and North African. The research analysed the volume of milk produced and its nutritional components, including proteins, fats, amino acids, and fatty acids.

 

Nutritional analysis highlighted notable differences in milk composition:

 

• Protein Content: North African donkey milk had higher protein levels (1.45 g/100 g) and β-lactoglobulin, essential for nutritional and functional properties.

• Fat Content: Masri donkey milk contained more fat (1.16 g/100 g), particularly unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid, which are known for their cardiovascular benefits. In contrast, North African milk had higher levels of palmitic acid, a saturated fat.

• Amino Acids: North African milk was rich in glutamate, while Masri milk had higher levels of aspartate.

 

North African donkeys outperformed Masri donkeys in milk yield, producing significantly more milk over the lactation period. This makes them particularly suitable for functional food applications where higher yield and protein content are desired.

 

Both breeds demonstrated the potential to produce high-quality milk suitable for human consumption. However, North African donkeys showed an edge in terms of productivity and nutrient profiles, making their milk better suited for functional food and nutritional applications.

 

This research highlights the promise of donkey milk as a niche, health-focused dairy product. Promoting its production could support sustainable agricultural practices and enhance rural economies.

 

Promoting donkey milk production could support sustainable agricultural practices and contribute to rural economic development by introducing a niche, health-focused dairy product into the market.

 

For more details, see:

 

Aroua, Mohamed, Antonella Fatica, Samia Ben Said, Mokhtar Mahouachi, and Elisabetta Salimei. 

Preserving Mediterranean Donkeys: A Study on Milk Production and Nutritional Benefits

Animals (2024) vol 14, no. 24: 3713. 

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14243713

Air sampling for flu detection

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 Air sampling may provide a safe and effective method for detecting horses infected with equine influenza virus (EIV), according to new research from Japan.

EIV, a highly contagious respiratory disease in horses, spreads through aerosolised droplets, direct contact, and contaminated surfaces (“fomites”). Traditionally, confirming EIV infection requires nasopharyngeal swabs, which can be invasive and challenging, especially for untrained or aggressive horses.

 

A study conducted by researchers at the Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, in Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan, has demonstrated that EIV can be recovered directly from the air surrounding infected horses. The research, led by Manabu Nemoto and colleagues and published in Veterinary Microbiology, involved experiments with two horses intentionally infected with EIV and housed in individual stalls.

 

Air samples were collected daily for 13 days post-inoculation using an air sampler. The findings showed that EIV RNA was detected in 26 out of 28 air samples using real-time RT-PCR and in 23 samples using a rapid molecular test kit. Significantly, viral RNA was detected in the air before the horses displayed clinical symptoms, emphasising the potential of air sampling for early detection.

 

The research team highlighted that air sampling is a non-invasive and safe alternative to traditional methods, avoiding the risks associated with swab collection. Additionally, the combination of air sampling with rapid molecular diagnostic kits, which can identify viral RNA in under 30 minutes, offers a practical and efficient approach for monitoring and controlling EIV outbreaks.

 

They suggest that this method could be particularly beneficial in quarantine facilities and other high-risk settings where early detection and containment of EIV are essential.

 

For more details, see:

 

Manabu Nemoto, Nanako Kawanishi, Yoshinori Kambayashi, Hiroshi Bannai, Takashi Yamanaka, Koji Tsujimura,

Detection of equine influenza virus gene in the air around infected horses,

Veterinary Microbiology, (2025), Vol 302, 110388,

 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2025.110388

Horses in Asia Found Infected with H5N1 Avian Influenza

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A recent study has revealed that horses in Asia have been infected with H5N1 avian influenza,
with these infections occurring undetected.  

The research, led by Professor Pablo Murcia from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research, in collaboration with an international team of scientists from the US and Mongolia, involved antibody testing on horse herds in Mongolia.  The findings, published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, reveal asymptomatic infections in Mongolian horse herds.

 

The researchers tested horse herds in two distinct Mongolian regions: a wetland area with a high population of wild birds and a dry area with low bird density. The results showed higher exposure rates in the wetland region. Importantly, there were no reports of previous respiratory disease outbreaks among the horses, suggesting that the infections were acquired asymptomatically.

 

These findings confirm that avian influenza can spread to other species, including horses. While equine influenza is typically caused by the H3N8 subtype, the detection of H5N1 highlights the potential for avian influenza to infect horses.

The study raises concerns about cross-species transmission, particularly in agricultural environments where horses may be exposed to infected livestock. Since March 2023, the rapid spread of H5N1 in US dairy cattle has amplified the risk of horses contracting avian influenza.

Coinfection with H5N1 and equine influenza (H3N8) could result in genetic reassortment, potentially creating new influenza strains with unpredictable consequences for animals and humans. Professor Murcia noted parallels to the 2009 swine-origin influenza pandemic, emphasizing the importance of preventing such reassortment events.

The researchers conclude by recommending serologic surveys in premises that keep horses. Such studies, they say, would aid early virus detection, provide a comprehensive picture of the changing ecology of avian influenza viruses, and inform the design of control measures to prevent influenza emergence.

This study highlights the need for:

1. Enhanced surveillance of influenza infections in horses, particularly in regions with high wild bird densities or significant interaction with infected livestock.
2. Strengthened biosecurity measures to reduce interspecies transmission in agricultural settings.
3. Further research into the mechanisms of avian influenza spillover and the potential for new virus emergence.

For more details, see: 

 

Batchuluun Damdinjav, Savitha Raveendran, Laura Mojsiejczuk, Ulaankhuu Ankhanbaatar, Jiayun Yang, Jean-Remy Sadeyen, Munir Iqbal, Daniel R. Perez, Daniela S. Rajao, Andrew Park, Mafalda Viana, and Pablo R. Murcia (2025)

Evidence of Influenza A(H5N1) Spillover Infections in Horses, Mongolia.

Emerging Infectious Diseases, 31(1) 

https://doi.org/10.3201/eid3101.241266 

https://www.gla.ac.uk/news/headline_1134067_en.html

Survey on SGLT2 Inhibitor Use in Horses with EMS or PPID

(c) Brian Sedgbeer Dreamstime.com

Have you used an SGLT2 inhibitor (one of the          "-flozin" drugs) to treat your horse? If so, the Equine
Cushing's and Insulin Resistance Group (ECIR) invites you to contribute to an important research initiative.

Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), such as ertugliflozin and canagliflozin, are increasingly used to manage equine metabolic syndrome (EMS), particularly in horses with laminitis that has not responded to dietary changes. These drugs have shown potential benefits, including reducing serum insulin levels, aiding weight loss, and improving laminitis associated with hyperinsulinemia.

However, concerns have arisen about possible side effects, such as elevated serum triglycerides and liver enzyme levels, lethargy, and increased drinking and urination.

Dr. Kellon of the ECIR Group has created a survey to investigate factors that may influence the outcomes of SGLT2 inhibitor use in horses. This includes individual horse characteristics, comorbidities, and dietary factors that may contribute to or mitigate adverse effects.

If you are an owner, veterinarian, or caretaker of a horse receiving one of these drugs—such as canagliflozin, ertugliflozin, or dapagliflozin—you are encouraged to participate in the survey. Your insights will help enhance understanding and improve the management of metabolic disorders in horses and ponies.

The survey can be found here www.surveymonkey.com/r/YM5JD9G 

 

See also:

Eleanor M. Kellon, V.M.D. (Equine Nutritional Solutions) 

www.drkellon.com

 

Equine Cushing's and Insulin Resistance Group Inc.

www.ecirhorse.org