The first ever Equine Welfare Week will be held from 1st to 16th September 2001, sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health Ltd, has attracted support from many top riders, including Pippa Funnell, Tim Stockdale and Leslie Law.

The week is part of the Jeep National Riding Festival which already does a great deal to boost riding through school visits with the famous mechanical horse, Trigger. Equine Welfare Week aims to highlight what it takes to keep a horse and to encourage responsible horse ownership, especially to the increasing number of people who are becoming horse owners for the first time. Information on horse care will be distributed around the country through vets and retailers and at events organised in support of Equine Welfare Week in conjunction with the International League for the Protection of Horses (ILPH) and Redwings Horse Sanctuary. (See details) A booklet, A Guide to Horse Care and Welfare produced by the British Horse Society in conjunction with the Home of Rest for Horses, is also available. For copies, call 01903 893312 or email jnrfwelfare@hotmail.com.

Pippa Funnell, international event rider and winner of the recent Eventing Grand Prix at Hickstead, is enthusiastic about the week. “We expect to enjoy the benefits that our horses give us and we owe it to them to look after them in the best possible way. If you neglect your horse, or try to cut corners to avoid expense, you will soon find out that it is far more costly in the long run,” said Pippa. “Equine Welfare Week is a great opportunity for anyone to learn more about horse care and just what is involved.”

Tim Stockdale, international showjumper and British Team Member, is also pleased to endorse the week. “A healthy horse will give of his best and his needs and well-being should be paramount at all times. Whether they are top show jumpers or children’s ponies, all horses and ponies need to be well looked after to ensure their health and comfort. This is a huge responsibility for owners and riders and Equine Welfare Week will help to highlight the dedication and commitment necessary to keep horses,” he said.

Leslie Law, international event rider added his support by saying, “Whatever you do with your horse, his well-being is most important. Horses can be hard work and take a lot of time but the results are worth it. Equine Welfare Week will ensure that many more people are given the information they need about horse care.”

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) were quick to recognise the value of this project and will be providing information to vets at their annual congress in Harrogate which coincides with the week. “The more education that the horse owner receives, the easier it makes our job. Veterinary surgeons need to see the important cases earlier to avoid any unnecessary suffering to the horse. If owners are ever in doubt about a particular problem, vets are always willing to discuss it with them over the telephone,” says Roger Scammell, member of the BEVA Council, Welfare and Scientific Committee. “Keeping a horse or pony is a huge responsibility and we believe that all owners should understand the time commitment and the financial obligations involved. We are very pleased to support Equine Welfare Week.”

Fort Dodge Animal Health, manufacturers of leading horse wormer EQUEST® and number 1 range of horse vaccines DUVAXYN®, are committed to supporting the improved care of horses and ponies in the UK. Helen Barnes, Equine Business Unit Manager of Fort Dodge Animal Health, comments, “We are pleased to be supporting this first ever Equine Welfare Week. Owning a horse is a huge responsibility, as well as a significant financial investment so the last thing any horse owner wants is to have an unhealthy horse that they cannot ride. We see this Welfare Week as a great opportunity to educate horse owners about the importance of regularly worming and vaccinating their horse as a matter of course.”

“The Jeep National Riding Festival aims to create interest in all aspects of the horse world from taking up the reins for the first time to competing and the responsibilities of becoming a horse owner,” says Jane Holderness-Roddam, Chairman of the Festival. “We believe it is very important that everybody involved in equestrianism is knowledgeable about a horse’s health and welfare requirements, which is why we are supporting Equine Welfare Week. The work of the welfare organisations will enable newcomers introduced to riding by the Jeep National Riding Festival to learn about horse care right from the start.”

For more information on Equine Welfare Week, call 01903 893312 or email jnrfwelfare@hotmail.com.

Trigger the mechanical horse will be present at those events marked (Trigger)