Announcements

06-Nov-24 21:44Please be aware there has been an outbreak of equine influenza (equine flu) on a premises in SOUTH AYRSHIRE.


Although equine influenza is non-notifiable, it is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease of horses. More information on equine influenza can be found at the British Equestrian website and The British Horse Society website.

Equine influenza can be easily spread directly through horse to horse contact and indirectly through contaminated equipment, handler clothing and boots. The Scottish Government website contains general advice on biosecurity for horses

30-Oct-24 20:08Please be aware there has been an outbreak of STRANGLES on a premises in RENFREWSHIRE.


Although strangles is a non-notifiable disease, the Scottish Government recommends the Strategy to Eradicate and Prevent Strangles (STEPS), as set out by the British Horse Society (BHS), which highlights the key requirements for good biosecurity practices designed to tackle this particular disease. Further information on strangles can be found on the BHS website here.

Affected establishments are strongly encouraged to advise neighbouring equine premises of an outbreak to reduce the risk of spread.  Despite the severity of strangles, most horses will fully recover on their own, but some can remain persistently infected.  Strangles can be easily spread directly through horse to horse contact and indirectly through contaminated equipment, handler clothing and boots.

The Scottish Government website contains general advice on biosecurity for horses

24-Oct-24 17:02Please be aware there has been an outbreak of equine influenza (equine flu) on a premises in ABERDEENSHIRE.


Although equine influenza is non-notifiable, it is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease of horses.  More information on equine influenza can be found at the British Equestrian website and The British Horse Society website.

Equine influenza can be easily spread directly through horse to horse contact and indirectly through contaminated equipment, handler clothing and boots. The Scottish Government website contains general advice on biosecurity for horses

24-Apr-23 13:29*** Please be aware there has been an outbreak of equine influenza (equine flu) on a premises in EAST LOTHIAN. *** Although equine influenza is non-notifiable, it is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease of horses. See the British Horse Society's (BHS) website for more information. Equine influenza can be easily spread directly through horse to horse contact and indirectly through contaminated equipment, handler clothing and boots. The Scottish Government website contains general advice on biosecurity for horses
04-Nov-22 10:29*** Please be aware there has been an outbreak of equine influenza (equine flu) on a premises in FIFE. *** Although equine influenza is non-notifiable, it is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease of horses. See the British Horse Society's (BHS) website for more information. Equine influenza can be easily spread directly through horse to horse contact and indirectly through contaminated equipment, handler clothing and boots. The Scottish Government website contains general advice on biosecurity for horses
02-Nov-22 09:45*** Please be aware there has been an outbreak of equine influenza (equine flu) on a premises in Dumfries & Galloway. *** Although equine influenza is non-notifiable, it is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease of horses. See the British Horse Society's (BHS) website for more information. Equine influenza can be easily spread directly through horse to horse contact and indirectly through contaminated equipment, handler clothing and boots. The Scottish Government website contains general advice on biosecurity for horses
25-Aug-21 08:48ScotEquine members in KW postcode area were sent SMS/email alerts today; keepers outwith KW postcode area, please be aware there has been an outbreak of Strangles in Orkney. Although Strangles is a non-notifiable disease, the Scottish Government recommends the Strategy to Eradicate and Prevent Strangles (STEPS), as set out by the British Horse Society (BHS), which highlights the key requirements for good biosecurity practices designed to tackle this particular disease. Affected establishments are strongly encouraged to advise neighbouring equine premises of an outbreak to reduce the risk of spread. Despite the severity of Strangles, most horses will fully recover on their own, but some can remain persistently infected. Strangles can be easily spread directly through horse to horse contact and indirectly through contaminated equipment, handler clothing and boots. The Scottish Government website also contains general advice on biosecurity for horses.
30-Jun-21 17:57ScotEquine members in EH postcode area were sent SMS/email alerts today; keepers outwith EH postcode area, please be aware there has been an outbreak of Strangles in Midlothian. Although Strangles is a non-notifiable disease, the Scottish Government recommends the Strategy to Eradicate and Prevent Strangles (STEPS), as set out by the British Horse Society (BHS), which highlights the key requirements for good biosecurity practices designed to tackle this particular disease. Affected establishments are strongly encouraged to advise neighbouring equine premises of an outbreak to reduce the risk of spread. Despite the severity of Strangles, most horses will fully recover on their own, but some can remain persistently infected. Strangles can be easily spread directly through horse to horse contact and indirectly through contaminated equipment, handler clothing and boots. The Scottish Government website also contains general advice on biosecurity for horses.
10-Jun-21 14:25On 09 June 2021, a case of Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) was confirmed in a single breeding stallion at an equine premises in West Devon, England.

CEM is a reportable disease of horses. It is a venereal infection that can be treated with antibiotics. The source of infection of this stallion is believed to be contact with a stable mate abroad, prior to arriving in the UK. The infection is easily controlled, and movement restrictions on the horse and in-contact animals have been put in place. Three mares, which had close contact with the infected horse at the same premises, are currently under investigation.

We are working closely with the British Equine Veterinary Association and industry experts to treat the affected horse and trace those horses that may have come into contact with it. The horse and any contacts will be managed in accordance with the Codes of Practice of the Horserace Betting Levy Board.

CEM is not infectious to humans so it is not deemed a public health risk. It is considered that there will be only limited trade implications. The last outbreak of CEM in GB was in April 2020 in Scotland.
19-May-21 14:53Please be aware there has been an outbreak of Strangles in Ayrshire. Although Strangles is a non-notifiable disease, the Scottish Government recommends the Strategy to Eradicate and Prevent Strangles (STEPS), as set out by the British Horse Society (BHS), which highlights the key requirements for good biosecurity practices designed to tackle this particular disease. Affected establishments are strongly encouraged to advise neighbouring equine premises of an outbreak to reduce the risk of spread. Despite the severity of Strangles, most horses will fully recover on their own, but some can remain persistently infected. Strangles can be easily spread directly through horse to horse contact and indirectly through contaminated equipment, handler clothing and boots. The Scottish Government website also contains general advice on biosecurity for horses.
19-Mar-21 10:35Cases of EHV-1 respiratory infection confirmed in Scotland.

Please do not call the ScotEquine office but follow ScotEquine or Dick Vet Facebook pages in case of further updates
29-Dec-20 17:50Obviously most of you have already registered but do please share our YouTube channel as our health alerts system will work better for ALL when more horses are registered. Other videos are in preparation to help with other parts of the the ScotEquine system. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC206KiNWHoUyjWizemOsjQA
10-Nov-20 18:05If you have not already done so, you are invited to please opt-in to the ScotEquine health alerts system testing process. Click for instructions and for how this will benefit your horse
31-Oct-20 20:05Thank you to BHS Scotland for a great feature on ScotEquine and thanks too to the many who signed up this week. We will be printing our 1000th card fairly soon. Any and all help to spread the ScotEquine message is greatly appreciated as, the more horses we know about, the better the system works for everyone
02-Oct-20 21:37Please encourage your friends to register on ScotEquine as the more equines we know about, the better the system works for everyone. As Helene Mauchlen of BHS Scotland said "a truly traceable system ... that brings enormous long term health and welfare gains for equines and people"
11-Sep-20 13:43If you already have your ScotEquine card, you can now upload photographs of vaccination pages from the passport - simply log in to your ScotEquine account, click on the corresponding name on left-hand side and follow the on-screen instructions. We have also rebooted our social media presence so you will find us a bit more active on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
31-Aug-20 18:09If you've got one of the first 300 ScotEquine cards we've sent out already, would you be willing to please help spread the word to your horsey friends on social media. All horses residing in Scotland qualify for a ScotEquine card - free of charge meanwhile
27-Apr-19 22:41Your horse's ScotEquine ID card can now be legally used instead of its passport for most day-to-day purposes