Owners urged to sign up to Equine Care and Emergency Plan during Colic Awareness Week

This week is Colic Awareness Week and horse owners are being urged to receive and complete a free Equine Care and Emergency Plan that could make “all the difference” when dealing with the condition.

The British Horse Society (BHS) and University of Nottingham’s Colic Awareness Week is running again, as part of the organisations’ REACT Now to Beat Colic campaign, and is featuring free daily 10-minute webinars on a range of colic-related subjects, as well as tips via social media.

BHS welfare education manager Emmeline Hannelly said the aim of the REACT (Restless or agitated, Eating less or droppings reduced, Abdominal pain, Clinical changes, Tired or lethargic) campaign, launched in 2016, is to educate as many owners as possible about how to spot the early signs, adding that critical colic can be a “race against time” to save a horse’s life. “The campaign has been well received by horse owners and vets, however we are aware that many people may not have a care plan in place. This really can make all the difference and in some cases, it can be the difference in saving your horse,” she said.

Owners can sign up at www.bhs.org.uk/colic, or can download the Equine Care and Emergency Plan here.