Winter isn't a fun time to drive: the roads are wet, winds batter you from all directions and you'll inevitably get stuck in more traffic than normal. Here's some top tips to driving safely as winter conditions start to arrive.

 

Scavenging in the exhibition hall is bound to be at the top of most delegate agendas at this year’s BEVA Congress 11-14 September 2019 because a prize pot of £1,000 cash is up for grabs in the new Congress Scavenger Hunt. Packed with more than 100 stands, the BEVA Congress exhibition hall is a favourite congress location for networking, socialising, eating and drinking. This year, with the chance to win a whopping cash prize it’s likely to be more popular than ever. Using the BEVA Congress App delegates simply have to follow the clues to find the answers to a series of clinical conundrums hidden round the exhibition hall. The highest ranked player at the end of Congress will win £1000. While delegates are busy scavenging they can enjoy checking out the BEVA members’ lounge where new events will be hosted every day: ·       The Animal Health Trust will be celebrating the 15th anniversary of the important BEVA Defra AHT Disease Surveil ...

As you may be aware, New South Wales (NSW) racing authority in Australia identified testosterone in a vial of BOVA’s long acting omeprazole injection in mid-June 2019. Supply of the product ceased in Australia and BOVA immediately initiated investigations. At the time, we had no explanation for how contamination could have occurred as we do not handle testosterone. The Omeprazole active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is subject to ID testing on arrival at our licensed manufacturing facilities as well as material approval checks and compliance checks to set specifications in order to ensure that it complies with international standards. We have been in contact with our suppliers both in the UK and Australia and have commissioned extensive testing of our products and those of our suppliers. We have also been in continual discussion with both the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Federation Equestrian Internationale (FEI). Through this independent testing process, we determined that one of ...

Top event rider Mary King is helping national pet charity Blue Cross to tackle horse welfare with a new education resource. Mary, who signed up to become the first ever Blue Cross Equine Ambassador last year, stars in a new video showcasing the charity’s dedication to help improve the current horse welfare crisis. You can watch the video at www.bluecross.org.uk/maryking  The Blue Cross education programme is focused on responsible pet ownership and aims to inspire children and young people to learn more about how to take on and care for pets appropriately. Each year the charity’s education team reaches around 100,000 people throughout the UK using a network of Education officers and volunteer speakers.   “In terms of horses, the biggest issue is the sheer number of them needing our help,” said Gemma Taylor, Education Officer at Blue Cross. “Too many horses and not enough homes mean that UK charities are being swamped with abandoned, unwanted and neglected horses and ...

Following the advice note to trainers in June 2019, the BHA can advise that analysis of a number of products which contain Omeprazole has been performed at LGC (the BHA's partner analytical laboratory).  No oral preparations were found to contain testosterone (nor any other anabolic steroids). However, samples of the injectable Omeprazole 100 mg/ml (BOVA UK) were found to contain low levels of testosterone.  Testosterone is an anabolic androgenic steroid and is Prohibited At All Time over certain thresholds under Schedule (G)1 of the BHA Rules of Racing. The relevant Rules for substances that are Prohibited At All Times can be found in Schedule (G) – Equine Anti-Doping Manual. The associated penalties for these Rules are found in the Guide to Procedures and Penalties 2018.  Due to the above results indicating the presence of testosterone in the injectable Omeprazole 100mg/ml (BOVA UK), the BHA would advise that the possession, use or attempted use, and administration or attem ...