Petplan Equine, the leading UK specialist equine insurance provider, has joined forces with charity, Blue Cross, to host a Lower Limb Lameness evening for their clients, and members of the equestrian community interested in this most common of conditions. It will be presented by former winner of the Petplan Equine Vet of the Year award, Gil Riley at 7pm on Thursday 20th March at Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester.

 

The joint initiative is part of a series of knowledge-sharing road shows planned by Petplan Equine to help horse owners manage their horses’ health and wellbeing as effectively as possible

 

In his presentation Gil Riley, of Staffordshire practice Pool House Equine Clinic, will focus on the key causes of lower limb lameness, strategies for avoiding it, how to spot a problem and the treatment available for such injuries.

 

“Lower limb lameness is the single most important cause of being unable to work and compete our horses but, common though it is, there is much we can do to prevent it occurring. Good foot care, choosing the appropriate work for the physique of the horse and keeping a close control on body condition are just a few things to consider. The better aware we horse owners are about these and other factors, the better placed we are to minimize the likelihood of our horse being afflicted with lower limb lameness and consequently reducing the risk of losing valuable time enjoying our work with them” explains Gil Riley.

 

Delegates will learn first-hand about the work of Blue Cross who will share latest findings from their most recent annual National Equine Health Survey (NEHS). A representative of the Charity will present case studies of Blue Cross horses’ rehabilitation following lameness and talk briefly about the current status of the horse crisis.

 

Delegates will be invited to address their own questions to members of the panel during either refreshments or the more formal Q&A session making for an interesting, informative and interactive evening.

 

Commenting on the evening Tracy Genever, Education Development Manager for Blue Cross said: “We are delighted to present this evening in association with Petplan as it as an excellent opportunity to bring to people’s attention the work of Blue Cross and why sound horse management is essential to welfare across the board.”

 

Senior Marketing Executive for Petplan Equine, Charlotte Collyer, said: “We know that horse owners are always seeking the latest information on how best to care for their horses. We are therefore extremely excited about being involved in this year’s initiative with Blue Cross aimed at helping us to share the latest knowledge on the subject of lower limb lameness, one of the conditions for which we at Petplan Equine receive the greatest number of claims”.

 

Guests attending the talk will receive a goody bag with a range of Petplan Equine and Blue Cross advice leaflets.

 

Entry is free but as Blue Cross is a charity any donations guests feel they would like to make would be appreciated. To register your place, please email equinesocial@petplan.co.uk – stating how many places you would like.

 

Ends

 

MEDIA INVITATION

Members of the media are invited to attend the evening.

 

Media enquiries: for further information, please contact:

 

Andrea Worrall at The GPC by email: panda@thegpc.co.uk t: (01608) 654040

 

Tilly Tayler-Levy at The GPC by email: media@thegpc.co.uk t: (01608) 654040

 

NOTES TO EDITORS

 

Petplan Equine and Blue Cross will each create a Facebook event to which people can sign up to attend the evening.

 

The format for the evening will be:

 

7:00pm Arrival - Refreshments

 

7:25 Welcome by the Blue Cross

 

7:30 Gil Riley presentation on lower limb lameness

 

8:00 Quiz – interactive session

 

8:30 Blue Cross presents a lameness case study, drawing upon relevant facts garnered from its recent Equine Health survey

 

9.00 Q&A followed by refreshments

 

Petplan Equine:

 

Petplan Equine contact details:

 

Charlotte Collyer on 0208 707 8335

 

Notes to Editors:

 

• Petplan Equine offers comprehensive insurance cover for horses and ponies aged from 30 days. Established 25 years ago, Petplan Equine understands the evolving equestrian market and strives to enhance knowledge and understanding of the equine world through employing horse enthusiasts and working closely with the equine industry.

• Petplan Equine is part of the Petplan brand. Founded in 1976, Petplan is the UK's largest pet insurance provider, offering comprehensive cover for dogs, cats, rabbits and horses.

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Blue Cross:

 

• Blue Cross has been dedicated to helping poorly, injured and abandoned pets for over 100 years. We opened the world’s first animal hospital in 1906 and since then our doors have never closed to sick and homeless animals. 

• Today we run four animal hospitals and 12 rehoming centres across the UK, which provide treatment and seek happy homes for thousands of cats, dogs, small pets and horses every year. 

• Dates of this year’s NEHS survey (18-24 May 2014)

• Blue Cross actively campaigns to improve all aspects of animal welfare, working with the government, schools and others to improve the lives of pets and their owners. For more information, please visit www.bluecross.org.uk​