Horse owners in Wales can receive funding worth up to £250 for one-to-one advice and screening from their local vet to help prevent illness and avoid unnecessary exposure to antibiotics in horses.
Arwain DGC is a project promoting the responsible use of antimicrobials in horses, sheep and cattle in Wales. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is when antibiotics can no longer be used to treat infections and diseases in both animals and humans.
In order to keep antibiotics working in humans and animals for future generations we need to use a ‘one health’ approach by addressing human, animal and environmental aspects of the AMR threat together.
Keeping your horse in optimal health and following good biosecurity measures in your yard will reduce the need to use antibiotics and help tackle AMR.
The partners involved in include Menter a Busnes, Iechyd Da and Milfeddygon Gogledd Cymru (veterinary delivery partners), Aberystwyth University School of Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, Welsh Lamb and Beef Producers Ltd. The project is funded by the Welsh Government through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
“The new Welsh Government initiative is a great opportunity for vets wanting to encourage equine owners to enhance horse health and welfare through better biosecurity and preventative medicine,” said Dr Shaun McKane, Director at Cotts Equine Hospital.
“These clinics will help owners to understand the value of antimicrobial testing to determine if there is a need to use antibiotics. In most cases this will also reduce treatment costs, and avoid unjustified antibiotic use that would lead to antimicrobial resistance.
“We welcome equine owners to take part in these clinics so that they have access to free advice from their vets on their horse health and biosecurity.”
There is a maximum of one clinic per equine owner. The clinic can cover the advice and screening of more than one horse owned by that equine owner.
Contact your vet to express your interest in an Equine Health Clinic funded by Arwain DGC. Funding will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
