Equine Science at Edinburgh

Bryony from Equine Science Edinburgh enjoyed attending the National Equine Welfare councils Scottish autumn meeting followed by a tour of Redwings. We had super weather yesterday and enjoyed meeting the ponies and donkeys.

💙 We know that for horse owners, it can be worrying to think about who will care for your horse if the worst should happen and they outlive you. If you’re a horse owner – no matter your age – it’s time to put a plan in place to safeguard their welfare.

Leaving your horse to World Horse Welfare in your Will ensures they are safe for the rest of their life.

We know this is a big decision to make and want to reassure you that your horse’s wellbeing will always be our priority. Find out more and download our free guide today 👉 https://bit.ly/4bxBj6d

Congratulations Bonny, fabulous work. Bonny is one of our current MSc Equine Science students. Brilliant to have such super students making a difference in horse welfare all over the world.

We couldn’t run our Equine Science online programme without this fabulous team!

On National Online Learning Day, we’re celebrating our fantastic Digital Education Unit (DEU).

This talented team provide technical teaching support, and advice and build our online learning spaces.

The Digital Education Unit make day-to-day teaching more engaging and accessible, giving our academic staff the tools they need to enhance students' learning experience.

The team is particularly vital in delivering our online distance learning by prioritising user experience to create an interactive and inspiring digital learning space.

Louise, Jill and Suzanne are at the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress this week! Its a great opportunity to hear clinical updates from experts in their fields, as well as catching up with old friends!

Autumn means one thing... Sycamore seeds 🍁

During autumn, sycamore seeds start to fall onto pastures. Seed spread is often wide due to the ‘helicopter’ shape, meaning that any gusts of wind take them further than desired (especially by horse owners!). The seeds that have fallen during autumn then produce saplings in the following spring, with large amounts being produced they are often readily eaten by horses and ponies, especially if grass is in short supply.

Why do we need to remove seeds?
Atypical myopathy, also known as sycamore poisoning, is a result of consuming sycamore seeds and saplings. This potentially fatal muscle disorder is due to a toxin within the seed, known as hypoglycin A (HGA). HGA limits or can stop energy production in muscle cells, particularly affecting the heart and muscles that allow the horse to stand and breathe. The onset of this is rapid, and so it is important to regularly check your pasture and neighbouring areas for sycamore plants and seeds. If grazing options are limited and seeds are present, make sure to remove as many as possible to reduce the risk.

During spring, if saplings have grown, they should be mowed and the cuttings removed as HGA is still present even after it has been cut. In autumn, aim to limit the number of seeds your horse eats by either grazing your horse in another field that is free from sycamore trees, or if this is not possible, fencing off areas around sycamore trees, although you will still need to be vigilant for seeds spread by the wind. To further avoid the risk of sycamore seed consumption, ensure horses have access to an adequate supply of forage if grass is in short supply. Reducing the number of horses per pasture is also a great way of increasing the grass available per horse, and so reducing the risk of atypical myopathy.

❓As a groom, you have been working hard throughout the summer, but have you taken time for yourself?

⚠️ Continuously working hard, burning the candle at both ends and being under pressure increases the risk of burnout!

Would you recognise the signs of burnout?

❗ Feeling tired or drained most of the time
❗ Feeling helpless, trapped and/or defeated
❗ Feeling detached/alone
❗ Having a cynical/negative outlook
❗ Self-doubt
❗ Procrastinating and taking longer to get things done
❗ Feeling overwhelmed
❗ A lack of motivation

Listen to our podcast where Jess Errington talks about avoiding burnout.

🎧 bit.ly/BGA_Grooms_Life_Podcast

ℹ️ If you need support our Grooms Minds mental health and well-being resource is designed to support grooms with a full range of tools and the confidential Grooms Minds Support Line which is available 24/7.

💚 Find out more here: https://bit.ly/Grooms_Minds

After a bit of a break, HETI Educational Webinars are back!!

We are really excited to have Rita Seery join us to discuss her PhD research into the backgrounds and perspectives of Equine Assisted Service Practitioners. This webinar will be on 19th September 2024 at 20.30 (CET).

For free registration, follow the link below:
https://hetifederation.org/webinar/webinar-9-rita-seery/

This is the last month where we usually recommend doing Faecal Worm Egg Counts, as once the weather gets cooler they are less reliable. Please hand to reception or leave in the box outside out of working hours, from Sunday to Thursday (they need to be nice and fresh when tested!).
There are some specific instances over the autumn/winter where we do continue to use this test, so speak to us if you are unsure about your individual situation.
We have a simple worming factsheet available for anyone who would like one- please email us on [email protected] and we will be delighted to send one to you.
Remember, if your horse is on our Health Plan, you are entitled to three free worm egg counts per year. Otherwise, the cost is £12.90 per sample, including personalised advice.

Take your career to places with an qualification from The University of Edinburgh . The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies offers study options from short courses to degrees in - take a look at our programmes here: https://lnkd.in/eWzPTjse

It's here at The University of Edinburgh The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Dick Vet Equine - and our Rosco and Zac are enjoying a good mutual groom!

🌟Submit an abstract for BSAS2025

Present your work at the biggest animal science conference of the year in Galway, Ireland as part of .

🐄Themed on 'Animal Science: Supporting Livestock's Role In a Global Society' we welcome abstracts from all areas of animal science.

Submit your abstract 👉 https://bit.ly/3ytxC3E
For more information 👉 https://www.bsas.org.uk/conference-2025/

View our latest infographic, "Changing Hearts and Minds in the Equestrian World One Behaviour at a Time: Part 2." Learn about human behaviour change and equine welfare, summarised for easy understanding.

Members can access the infographic, an exclusive quiz, NZ conference recordings, and more in the "Content" section.

Also, don't miss our new "Meet the Author" series! Join us for a Q&A with researchers like Dr. Gemma Pearson—details coming soon!

Can horses think ahead and plan strategically? by Conversations in Equine Science This week Nancy and Kate discuss a just published research paper on the complex cognitive abilities of horses. Research Reference: Louise Evans, Heather Cameron-Whytock, Carrie Ijichi, Whoa, No-Go: Evidence consistent with model-based strategy use in horses during an inhibitory task, Applied Animal....

It's ! Meet Rae, seen here with another of our Remmy here at The University of Edinburgh The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Dick Vet Equine

course starts September. Interested in anatomy and injury? Apply now to The University of Edinburgh via our standalone Postgraduate Professional Development https://buff.ly/3q3OfyQ or PGCert/PGDip/MSc programme http://edin.ac/msc-equine-science routes.

It's ! Meet Remmy, a new who has not long joined us at The University of Edinburgh The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies from World Horse Welfare

Interested in ? Apply now to The University of Edinburgh The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies via our standalone PPD https://buff.ly/3q3OfyQ or PGCert/PGDip/MSc https://buff.ly/3QlDUZN routes.

today at The University of Edinburgh with our The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies turned out in striped rugs - because are significantly less likely to land on a zebra striped rug than a plain white one!