As part of World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week 2024 (November 18th – 24th), horse owners in Wales are invited to join a free equine health webinar as part of the drive to tackle Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).
AMR is classed as a ‘One Health’ challenge – as antibiotic resistance threatens the health of humans and animals. The World Health Organisation has warned that AMR is an issue where “without urgent action, we are heading for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries can once again kill.”
The theme for the WAAW 2024 global campaign is ‘Educate. Advocate. Act now.’ As part of the campaign, the Arwain DGC (Defnydd Gwrthficrobaidd Cyfrifol / Responsible Antimicrobial Use) programme will hold a webinar for horse owners at 7pm on Wednesday November 20th.
Funded by Welsh Government, the award-winning Arwain DGC programme helps vets, farmers, and horse owners in Wales to reduce the risk of AMR by promoting animal health and productivity, training, the application of new technology, data gathering, and research.
Taking part in the webinar will be vet Katy Groves of South Wales Equine Vets, who will explain to attendees why the key to improving horse health and welfare is often the ‘prevention is better than cure’ approach.
Katy will outline proactive steps that owners could take such as creating an optimum environment, and carrying out routine work such as dentistry, worming and farriery. Katy will also discuss how owners can acheive good biosecurity practices and appropriate medical management when problems do occur.
Katy said,
“Many common things I see could be improved by, or, in some cases, prevented by a small change in management. For example, some respiratory cases where ventilation in the stable environment could be increased, or more robust fly control measures playing a role in reducing the chance of an eye (corneal) ulcer. Another issue is horse compliance for dosing of medications, where notifying the vet of the problem sooner rather than later results in a better outcome and reduced use of antibiotics.”
Katy will also share her experience of running Arwain DGC equine health clinics. This hugely popular initiative has seen over 330 horse owners across Wales access free 1-2-1 advice and infection testing to ensure if a horse does require antibiotics the most effective class of antibiotics is prescribed.
Katy said,
“The clinics have been a brilliant scheme. Through them I have been able to have more discussions with horse owners about how to prevent disease, AMR, and reduce the need for antibiotics.”
Conducting the clinics has also had an impact on Katy’s day-to-day activities. She said,
“The scheme has also enabled me to carry out many more culture and sensitivity tests – which has led to better treatment outcomes, more responsible antibiotic use, but also highlighted the need for the scheme to be in place, as I have identified cases where multidrug-resistant bacteria have played a significant role in the disease course. Now, every time I go to prescribe an antibiotic, the first thing I do is think, I should get a sample for culture and sensitivity.”
As part of the Arwain DGC programme, a study has been conducted on equine owners in Wales and their understanding of AMR and antimicrobial use.
Dr Rebekah Stuart of Aberystwyth University, who conducted the study, will present the study’s findings during the webinar.
The study was launched during WAAW 2022, and horse owners participated online and in person. Some 319 owners shared their views via an online survey, and 21 participated in more in-depth interviews.
The survey focused on general information on the participants and the horse(s) in their care, antibiotic usage, and antimicrobial resistance. The owners interviewed were also asked about the vet-owner relationship and treatment decision-making.
Dr Stuart, who presented the findings at the recent British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) congress in Liverpool, said,
“AMR represents a huge threat to equine health and welfare. Through the Arwain DGC programme, we’ve had the opportunity to gain insight into the understanding of AMR by equine owners in Wales.
“The results from this novel study highlighted that equine owners are using antibiotics under the direction of their vets, but there was also evidence of using leftover antibiotics or obtaining these from friends. The understanding of AMR by the study participants varied, and it was often noted that the drivers of AMR and how resistance develops were patchy.
“I believe vets can work with their equine clients to promote the key messages around AMU and, during visits/when prescribing, ensure clients are using antibiotics responsibly. If horse owners don’t make these changes now, it will be too late.”
She added,
“I look forward to the Arwain DGC webinar and further discussing the study’s findings.”
Horse owners who would like to join the webinar on November 20th can register by emailing arwaindgc@mentera.cymru
