Media

Our newsletters contain a wealth of information about cases, research and fundraising. Follow the link top right for the archive

Leaflets

Webinar

Thank you to World Horse Welfare, Welfare Wednesdays for hosting this webinar examining the latest developments in Equine Grass Sickness (EGS) research, in association with the Equine Grass Sickness Fund.

There was a series of short presentations covering the latest developments in EGS research and the links between weather & EGS.

We were delighted to be joined by a range of experts including Dr Beth Wells and Dr Tanith Hart (Moredun Research Institute) and Dr Hayley Coulson (University of Edinburgh). After their presentations, the experts were on hand to answer the audiences EGS questions in a live Q&A. https://youtu.be/BruLpV-aitQ

EGS Conference 2023

With thanks to our generous sponsors, Norbrook, Norvite and TopSpec.

Conference Overview.

Video by James Risk MRCVS Video Production.

A Teams Live recording of the EGS Conference, 29th March 2023

Morning Session: Time Stamps:

0:0 Welcome. Anne Logan, Loch Leven Equine & EGSF Chair

0:56 Introduction. Prof Lee Innes, Moredun Research Institute

07:07 Keynotes: Equine Industry: Working Together. Roly Owers, CEO, World Horse Welfare

25:16 Combining forces to beat grass sickness: The Power of Partnerships. Chris Proudman, Surrey Vet School

Session 1: Gathering the evidence

57:04 A multi-disciplinary approach to equine grass sickness research. Dr Beth Wells, Moredun Research Institute

1:16:23 A study of lipofuscin in the neurons with age and in equine grass sickness. Prof Elspeth Milne R(D)SVS

1:33:30 Is EGS caused by fungal mycotoxins? Prof Bruce McGorum (R(D)SVS

1:52:20 Is a clostridial vaccine for grass sickness still a possibility? Prof Ian Poxton, UNiversity of Edinburgh and Dr Leonie Hunter, EGSF Committee

2:15:42 Surveillance of equine grass sickness, past present and future. Dr Richard Newton, Cambridge University

2:33:46 EGSF Awards. Presentation of Trowan Trophy. Sally McCarthy, BHS Chair and Rose MacPherson. Winner: Carrie Bain, Harelaw Equestrian Centre. Silver Salver Award winner: Team Chiblet at Harelaw Equestrian.

Session 2: Application of new technologies

2:42:14 Using new technologies to solve difficult research questions: can these be used for EGS? Dr David Smith, Moredun Research Institute

3:01:59 ‘Omics sciences: What are they and how do we use them to learn more about grass sickness? Dr Joy Leng, University of Liverpool

3:20:54 What about the environmental risk factors for EGS? Dr Hayley Coulson, University of Edinburgh

3:39:12 EGSF Awards. Presentation of Heidi Award by Sally McCarthy and Kate Thomson, EGSF. Winnter Melody Ashcroft of Heald Town Highland Ponies

Session 3: Afternoon workshops with panels:

Afternoon Time Stamps

0:0 Welcome back. Chair Simon Cousins

2:0 Vet Panel: Where science meets practice. Panel chair Anne Logan, Loch Leven Equine; Prof John Keen, R(D)VS; James Risk, Forth Valley Vets; David Miskelly, Woodside Vets; Mary-Jo Grant, Conanvets; Graham Hunter, IVC

35:17 Dubai Millenium Research Foundation – catalyst, structure, focus and utcome. Prof Scott Pirie, R(D)VS.

1:06:17 EGSF Silver Salver Fundraising Awards with Sally McCarthy and Kate Thomson

Winners: Sarah Houlden, Strathearn Eventing, A Trial of Cocktails and Contributions at Belwade Farm, Ross-shire FuUNdraisng Group – Martin Johnston-Ireland and Lifescan Scotland, Central Scotland Shetland Pony Group, Crathes Charity Show.

Podcasts

OnFarm: Updating The Moredun’s search for a cure

In February 2021, Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, was a guest on OnFARM, launching a fundraising drive to find a cure for Equine Grass Sickness. The mysterious disease is almost always fatal to horses, and, in recent years, had killed 5 prized Highland ponies on Her Majesty the Queen’s Balmoral estate. Efforts to find a treatment are being led by Dr Beth Wells of Edinburgh’s Moredun Research Institute, while fundraising is spearheaded by RHASS director and equine vet Anne Logan. In this episode, Anna speaks with Beth and Anne for an update on their important work.
For more on funding and supporting a cure for Equine Grass Sickness, visit: www.grasssickness.org.uk
We are grateful to Horselyx for supporting this episode: www.horslyx.com

OnFarm: Her Majesty’s Balmoral losses and a push for a cure:

https://podfollow.com/1493349501/episode/f5f2d50e210448232e22dbc0420131adb41870ac/view

Episode Notes:

Her Majesty the Queen’s Balmoral estate lost 5 Highland ponies in less than a year to Equine Grass Sickness. The disease is almost always fatal to horses, and seems to affect Scotland worse than other parts of the UK. Sylvia Ormiston, who manages Her Majesty’s Balmoral stud, recalls the five losses, and describes how it prompted her to get more involved in searching for a cure. We also meet Grass Sickness fundraiser Yvonne Maclean, while Beth Wells from the Moredun Research Institute details new efforts to find a cure.

OnFarm: Princess Royal launches Equine Grass Sickness research drive

https://podfollow.com/onfarm/episode/ed1259b2c53834860cba1a06f8c87f6e9c442846/view

Episode Notes:

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal officially launches a research drive to study Equine Grass Sickness, an often fatal disease of horses. The Moredun Foundation and The Equine Grass Sickness Fund have joined forces to launch a three-year research Fellowship, bringing together a partnership of horse owners and scientists. HRH The Princess Royal is patron for both charities.

Film & TV

The Moredun Centenary Film:

BBC Landward, Episode 7, June 2021

Arlene is at Balmoral to find out about the sickness that struck the Queen’s highland ponies: https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000whzh/landward-2021-episode-7