The 33rd National Equine Forum will take place on Thursday 06 March 2025 (#NEF25).
Live streaming registration will be free for NEF25, please register through the link above. Friend donations can also be made when registering for the live streaming.
This year’s NEF programme will cover important issues affecting the future of equestrianism, that should be of relevance and interest to all members of the equestrian sector, whether a professional, an amateur or an invested horse lover. Programme timings can be found through the link here.
- The Equine Industry in a Changing World will include the Defra view from Baroness Hayman of Ullock (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State). Dr Richard Newton (Director of Epidemiology & Disease Surveillance, University of Cambridge) will discuss current and future equine disease risks and David Mountford (Chair, British Horse Council) will provide an update on the rapidly evolving environment of equine policy and legislation and the sector’s response to these challenges.
- The Importance of Feed and Forage to All will see Ruth Bishop (Chair of Feed Committee, British Equestrian Trade Association), Prof Meriel Moore-Colyer (Professor of Equine Science, Hartpury University) and Dr Katie Williams (Chair of BETA ENFAR [Equine Nutritionist & Feed Adviser Register], British Equestrian Trade Association) discussing feed safety, forage and where to find reliable nutrition advice.
- Equine Health and Welfare Updates chaired by Peter Laurie, Non-executive Director, Animal Health and Welfare Board for England will include an update on Equine Grass Sickness from Prof Bruce McGorum (Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies), an update on Atypical Myopathy from Prof Richard Piercy (Royal Veterinary College), and an update on CANTER (Controlling ANTiparasitic resistance in Equines Responsibly) from Dr Julia Shrubb (Chair, CANTER).
- Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games Review will be presented by Helen Nicholls (Performance Director, British Equestrian).
- Equine Assisted Services will be introduced by Ed Bracher (Chair, Equine Assisted Services Partnership), with Sharon Gray (Education Consultant, Wholehearted Learning) discussing the stages of child development. Rosie Bensley and Jemma Hockley (Strength & Learning Through Horses), along with Andrew Brooks (a father who will speak about his son), will provide case studies looking at the partnership role horses play in equine assisted learning.
- The Memorial Lecture will explore how charities are continuing to work together to tackle quine welfare challenges in Britain, with contributions from Penny Baker (Field Officer, World Horse Welfare), Jana Merrett-Jones (Animal Welfare Manager, The Hugs Foundation) and Christine Styles (Inspector, RSPCA).
- The winner the Sir Colin Spedding Award will be announced.
- Q&A opportunities will give the audience and the livestream viewers a chance to engage with the discussions.
