Horse insurance policyholders have been warned that the threat of African Horse Sickness (AHS) to the UK equine population is still very real. The discovery of the Schmallenberg virus in Britain earlier this year means it is even more likely to affect some animals in the country, vets have told Horse and Hound. Although the Schmallenberg virus does not affect … More →

Youngsters with behavioural problems in Gwynedd are set to be taught how to horse whisper to try and build their self esteem. A pilot project is beginning next month at a farm near Porthmadog in which children will be encouraged to communicate and bond with the horses and learn how their behaviour can affect others. It has secured £5,000 from … More →

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has welcomed yesterday's (March 21st) announcement by the chancellor in the Budget that the government will legislate for the taxation of remote gambling differently. The government will now take remote gambling into account at the point of consumption rather than at the point of supply, which the BHA believes will create a "level playing field" … More →

The Grand National and Royal Ascot will be shown on Channel 4 from next year after it won a bidding war reportedly worth £15 million to screen horse racing. In doing so it is now the only free-to-air channel that equine insurance customers can enjoy racing on. Channel 4 outbid the BBC, which currently shows the Grand National and Royal … More →

As of next month, equine insurance customers with stakes in racehorses will have the opportunity to influence the make up of the race programme in a more dynamic way. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has launched the Interactive Race Planning scheme to allow trainers to have a greater influence on the shape of the race programme and it also has … More →

The plan to inject semi-feral Dartmoor pony mares with contraceptives has been given the green light after consultation between the World Horse Welfare, the Dartmoor Hill Pony Association (DHPA) and leading pharmaceutical firm Pfizer. World Horse Welfare officials confirmed earlier this month that it hoped to provide a group of 20 mares with a contraceptive injection in late spring to … More →

Staff at the Blue Cross animal rehoming centre in Burford are appealing to equine insurance customers to help take a horse off the organisation's hands as the shelter has been inundated with unwanted beasts in recent times. Around ten horses a month are found new homes by the charity's diligent members of staff but they are currently being asked to … More →

An investigation into the state of the facilities and the ground at the Cheltenham Festival has been ordered by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), after a further two horses died on Wednesday (March 14th). The deaths of Featherbed Lane and Abergavenny followed Garde Champetre, Scotsirish and Educated Evans who all had to be put down after breaking legs on the … More →

Trainer Nicky Henderson has cemented his own place in the history of Cheltenham Racecourse almost 50 years after his father helped to save the track from destruction. The delighted equine insurance customer surpassed the record for Festival wins, as he secured a remarkable four victories on a dramatic second day at the home of jump racing. The racecourse came near … More →

Three racehorses have died on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, giving credence to the argument of many equine insurance customers that riding should be stopped. Garde Champetre and Scotsirish were put down after both suffering leg fractures in the Cross-Country Chase, while Educated Evans was euthanised after breaking a hind leg in the novices' chase. Cheltenham officials have … More →