Welfare Wednesday Webinars return to our screens.

Our hugely popular series of free-to-view webinars is set to return on Wednesday November 1st at 7pm for the winter season. The first webinar will see equine diagnostic imaging expert vet Merry Smith discussing how to manage arthritic changes in ridden horses.

Merry will discuss common areas of arthritic changes in ridden horses, the potential causes, the steps you can take to minimise the risk of your horse developing arthritis and how to effectively manage it should your horse develop it. Arthritis is a condition that not only affects older horses but is increasingly being seen in younger horses as well. The online audience will then have the opportunity to ‘ask the expert’ any questions they may have on this important topic during a live Q&A session.  

Our Welfare Wednesday Webinar series bridges the gap between current research, experts and horse owners. Accessible, practical advice and guidance is provided for everyone; from those just starting on a journey with their equine partner, through to industry professionals. Each webinar features one or more expert guests and the series runs from November to March each year. A diverse range of topics will be tackled in the forthcoming series, with webinars looking at training methods, nutrition, sleep and managing ulcers all in the mix.

By registering for the webinars through Zoom, you will be able to take part in the various polls, ask questions during the Q&A and enjoy an interactive experience.

The webinars are free to attend and if you are unable to attend via Zoom they can also be viewed as a Facebook Live session. If you have missed any of the ever-increasing programme of previous webinars – which have covered subjects as fascinating and diverse as keeping horses fit, weight management, euthanasia, biosecurity, horse mental wellbeing and travelling – they are all available to watch on our advice section on our website.

More about the presenter: Merry Smith MA VetMB PhD Cert ES DipECVS AECVDI MRCVS completed her veterinary degree at Cambridge University in 1999, followed by specialist surgical training in the USA and University of Liverpool, gaining her European College of Veterinary Surgeons diploma in equine surgery in 2005. Merry next followed her growing interest in equine diagnostic imaging, and completed a PhD comparing high-field and low-field MRI in the equine distal limb at the Animal Health Trust. Merry was then based at Newmarket Equine Hospital, where she set up and ran the standing low field MRI and nuclear scintigraphy services and worked as an out of hours emergency surgeon. Merry was made a large animal associate of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging in 2011. In 2013 Merry set up an independent equine teleradiology service and now works as a freelance equine diagnostic imaging and surgery consultant, based at her home in Hertfordshire. Merry regularly teaches and presents at veterinary conferences and CPD meetings and has published papers within the field of equine diagnostic imaging and surgery. Merry currently serves on the Farriers Registration Council, is a co-opted member of the Health and Medicines committee within BEVA council, and a Trustee of World Horse Welfare.