World Horse Welfare’s highly regarded webinars return on Wednesday 20 January at 7pm, with a real treat for horse owners, vets and anyone who cares for or is interested in horses. For “Skin Disease – How to recognise, how to manage and how to prevent”, Professor Derek Knottenbelt, a world-leading vet and expert on equine cancer, especially sarcoids, will be joining Claire Gordon, the charity’s Chief Field Officer. Derek and Claire, who are both entertaining and engaging speakers, will tackle a whole host of common conditions and diseases, including lice, mites, ringworm, sweet itch, rain scald and mud fever, as well as sarcoids and the webinar is likely to prove a rich source of information and advice.
Most people who handle horses will have come across these equine skin conditions at some point. Some, like fungal ringworm, are highly contagious and can affect other animals, including being transferred to humans. Others, such as sarcoids, can cause a number of difficulties, including rubs if they occur around areas where tack sits. (Sarcoids are common skin growths that – although usually low-grade, slow to develop and non-invasive – are a form of cancer; they are in fact the most common form of cancer found in horses).
Recognising the signs and symptoms of various common skin conditions will be covered, and treatment and management options for each condition will be discussed. Where possible, Derek and Claire will also tackle prevention during the webinar and will welcome your questions on this important subject.
Claire has a wealth of experience through her work in the field where she supports horse owners to recognise skin conditions and guides them to appropriate treatment options. Although Claire often deals with neglected equines, skin conditions can affect even the best managed horses, and Claire is well-versed in advising on management changes that aid in prevention of a range of skin problems.
By registering for the webinar through Zoom, you will be able to take part in the various polls, ask questions during the Q and A and enjoy an interactive experience. If you are keen to be part of the conversation, then please join.
The fortnightly webinars are free to attend. If you are unable to attend via Zoom they can also be viewed as a Facebook Live session. If you have missed any if the previous webinars – which have tackled subjects as fascinating and diverse as keeping animals fit, weight management, euthanasia, biosecurity and travelling – they are all available to watch on the World Horse Welfare YouTube channel.
More about the two presenters:
Professor Derek Knottenbelt, OBE, BVM&S, DVM&S, DipECEIM, DACVIM, MRCVS is a specialist in equine internal medicine and a Diplomat of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine. Derek retired from the University of Liverpool in 2010 having run a sarcoid referral service for over 20 years. He then established Equine Medical Solutions Ltd, offering a consultancy service for vets in equine oncology and other challenging clinical conditions. He received the Animal Health Trust Scientific Award in 2003, the BEVA (Blue Cross) Welfare award in 2004 and the Merk-WEVA Welfare Award in 2006. In 2005 he received the OBE for his services to Equine Medicine, in 2018 he was awarded the RCVS Inspiration Award, and in 2019 he was awarded honorary membership of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Claire Gordon graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from Glasgow University. She has worked as an international event groom in the UK and Australia before returning to Scotland to work as an Equine Nurse at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Claire has worked in welfare since 2007 when she joined the RSPCA as an Inspector in Hertfordshire before moving on to work for World Horse Welfare in 2010 as Field Officer in Suffolk, Essex and Kent. She became Chief Field Officer in 2016 and works investigating welfare concerns. Claire is also a Director and Vice-Chair of the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC).
