National Equine Forum to have a racing and veterinary focus

The National Equine Forum will have a veterinary and racing focus this year.

The forum, which will be held on 5 March 2013, aims to “appeal to an even broader spectrum of the equestrian industry this year”.

A spokesman said there would be some “thought-provoking and topical presentations from leading names in the worlds of racing and veterinary science”.

Speakers will include Richard Lancaster, chairman of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Dr Richard Richard Newton, head of epidemiology and disease surveillance at the Animal Health Trust who will examine the ways in which the equestrian industry and government are working together on the control of equine infectious disease.

Mark Hillyer from Newmarket Equine Hospital will discuss colic treatments and success rates and Pieter Brama, professor of veterinary surgery at University College Dublin will present a paper on whether horses are ready to race as two-year-olds.

The programme also includes an overview of London 2012, riding therapy in practice and the implications of cancelling a major event.

The forum is held once a year and tickets are available to equestrian trade delegates and equestrian professionals. Tickets cost £100 — for more information email teallen@warkscol.ac.uk or visit www.bef.com