Endurance Great Britain welfare conference in Newmarket

Endurancegb.co.uk

(Published:21 May 2019)

Endurance GB welfare conference in Newmarket focuses on improving long term performance of the endurance horse

Endurance GB’s welfare conference next weekend will bring together experts from the animal health, veterinary and sports science industries to focus on how to extend the careers of long-distance equine athletes.

The Endurance GB conference, taking place on Saturday 25th May at the Newmarket Equine Hospital, features an impressive line-up of speakers including; Dr Sue Dyson of the Animal Health Trust, Dr Roly Owers, from World Horse Welfare, Dr David Marlin, Scientific and Equine Consultant, together with Fran James and Tom Eaton Evans of the Newmarket Equine Hospital who will look at orthopaedic longevity and biosecurity.

Topics being covered range from identifying lameness, to understanding how ridden horse behaviour can predict the presence of musculoskeletal pain.

The conference will also hear findings from a pilot study looking at the weight that a horse can safely carry.

Alex Tennant, Director of Development and Welfare for Endurance GB said: “This day is aimed not only at anyone involved in endurance at all levels from novice to international but anyone interested in finding out more about the performance of the equine equivalent of the marathon athlete. Endurance GB is dedicated to offer education and discussion on improving horse welfare; which is the foundation of our sport and society. The theme of the day is, ‘Improving the longevity of the endurance horse’.

“Our speakers will be offering guidance on how we can plan our horses’ careers, training and competition to maximise health and fitness and minimise injury. There will be opportunities throughout the day for delegates to have any questions answered.

“Thank you to all our speakers, sponsors and guests who have supported this event.”

Welfare Conference sponsors, HPower and Meydan are event organiser and headline sponsor to the FEI European Endurance Championship which take place this summer at Euston Park in Suffolk on Saturday 17th August.

Jo Peck, Marketing and Communications Director of HPower which also organises the Royal Windsor Horse Show and London Olympia Horse Show, said: “We are proud to be associated with Endurance GB’s annual welfare conference and to be involved with building understanding of how long term performance for these incredible equine athletes can be improved. We have also been supporting Endurance GB in widening participation in the sport and are delighted that this summer’s European Championship will sit alongside the UK Endurance Festival featuring both national and Pony Club riders and teams in this popular and growing sport.”

Rebecca Kinnarney, Chair of Endurance GB said: “Endurance as a sport has consistently broken new ground in enhancing understanding of how equine athletes can best be cared for both in training and competition and we are proud that, while success is based on the strength of the partnership between horse and rider over long hours in the saddle, as riders we are always open to expanding our knowledge. This day promises both new scientific and research insight of benefit to both endurance and other equestrian sports. We would like to thank the conference sponsors for making the day possible.”

Tickets to the Endurance GB Welfare Conference at the Newmarket Equine Hospital, Saturday 25th May from 9am-5pm are priced £20 including lunch. Some spaces may still be available, to enquire, please contact conference@endurancegb.co.uk.