SummaryBackgroundWorkforce shortages are challenges facing veterinary practice. Anecdotal evidence suggests that veterinary students are less interested in entering equine practice than previously.ObjectivesInvestigate veterinary students' perceptions about equine veterinary education and about working in equine practice.Study designObservational study: online survey.MethodsSurvey distributed via social media to veterinary students in the United Kingdom. Open and closed questions to document intended career path of students and evaluate perceptions about careers in equine practice.ResultsSeven hundred and forty‐four students completed the survey—from 10 veterinary schools. 88.8% intended to work in clinical practice (32.9% mixed; 25.3% small animal; 20.2% equine; 10.9% farm; 10.7% other/undecided). Factors considered most important for their first job included: mentoring and support (47.0%), team and practice culture (26.2%), working hours (including out‐of‐hours; 9.2%), location (6.6%), salary and benefits (5.7%) and familiarity with the practice (3.1%). 55.2% felt there were barriers to entering equine practice. 46.9% had ridden a horse regularly; 14.2% had never ridden. Respondents in clinical years rated their university training in equine practice as ‘Excellent’ (10.0%), ‘Good’ (45.9%), ‘OK’ (35.3%), ‘Poor’ (7.0%) and ‘Rubbish’ (1.8%). 48.9% of respondents felt extra mural studies (EMS) had contributed most to their equine training. Statistical associations were identified between the following variables and intention to work in equine practice: owning a horse, having ever ridden a horse, confidence in handling horses, student membership of BEVA and desire to undertake an internship.Main limitationsPotential selection bias.Conclusions20% of students reported an intention to work in equine practice, but risk of selection bias. The results indicate a potential mismatch between the number of students interested in equine practice and the availability of equine jobs for new graduates. Students with pre‐existing equine interest/experience are more likely to want to enter equine practice. EMS appears important for students' training in equine medicine.

In the context of veterinary education, simulators are devices or sets of conditions aiming to imitate real patients and enable students to practice skills without the need for live animal use. Simulator use in veterinary education has increased significantly in recent years, allowing consistent practical teaching without reliance on clinical cases. This review examines the available literature regarding the use of simulation and simulators for teaching practical day one competences to veterinary students. Scientific databases were searched and 73 relevant articles were reviewed. The reviewed articles revealed that there are a number of simulators currently available to veterinary educators, that simulators can enhance student skills and provide an alternative learning environment without the need for live animal and/or cadaver use, and that they usually receive positive feedback from the students who use them. There appears to be a bias towards small animal simulators - however, some skills that are developed through the use of small animal or table-top models will be transferrable to other species. The majority of large animal simulators focus on bovine rectal palpation and/or pregnancy diagnosis. Further research is required to increase the repertoire of available simulators for use in veterinary education, in order to improve the practical skills of veterinary students and reduce the use of live animals and cadaver material for teaching purposes.

SummaryBackgroundCellulitis is a commonly recognised condition in first opinion equine practice yet there is little published information regarding its diagnosis, treatment and management.ObjectivesTo describe current approaches of veterinary surgeons working in the United Kingdom (UK) to the diagnosis, treatment and management of distal limb cellulitis in horses.Study designCross‐sectional survey.MethodsAn online questionnaire was distributed via email and social media sites for a period of 12 weeks. Descriptive statistics were produced and chi‐square or Fisher’s exact tests were used to assess associations between categorical variables, with critical probability set at 0.05.ResultsDistal limb cellulitis is frequently encountered in the UK, with 83.5% (n = 224/268) of respondents having treated >5 cases in the preceding 12 months. Diagnosis was predominantly made based on clinical signs alone (89.2%; n = 239/268). The majority of respondents (95.5%; n = 256/268) treated cases with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antimicrobials. Phenylbutazone (93.8%; n = 240/256) and trimethoprim sulphonamide (TMPS) (72.3%; n = 185/256) were most frequently prescribed and 61.7% (n = 148/240) of respondents prescribed these drugs in combination. Duration of treatment was most frequently five days for NSAIDs (33.5%; n = 64/191), TMPS (84.4%; n = 119/141) and doxycycline (62.5%; n = 25/40), the longest prescribed duration of any treatments being 10 days. Corticosteroids were administered by 41.0% of respondents (n = 110/268). Management recommendations included cold hosing/ice packing of the affected limb (79.4%; n = 212/267) with light exercise (turnout or hand walking) if the horse was comfortable enough to do so (97.4%; n = 260/267).Main limitationsSmall sample size (n = 268) and low level of item omission for a small number of questions.ConclusionsCellulitis is common in the UK and is usually treated with NSAIDs and antimicrobials for 5–10 days, plus cold hosing and light exercise. Further study on the topics of diagnosis and treatment, with particular emphasis on the aetiology and necessity of antimicrobials, is warranted.

Validated assessment protocols have been developed to quantify welfare states for intensively managed sport, pleasure, and working horses. There are few protocols for extensively managed or free-roaming populations. Here, we trialed welfare indicators to ascertain their feasibility, reliability, and repeatability using free-roaming Carneddau Mountain ponies as an example population. The project involved (1) the identification of animal and resource-based measures of welfare from both the literature and discussion with an expert group; (2) testing the feasibility and repeatability of a modified body condition score and mobility score on 34 free-roaming and conservation grazing Carneddau Mountain ponies; and (3) testing a prototype welfare assessment template comprising 12 animal-based and 6 resource-based welfare indicators, with a total of 20 questions, on 35 free-roaming Carneddau Mountain ponies to quantify inter-assessor reliability and repeatability. This pilot study revealed that many of the indicators were successfully repeatable and had good levels of inter-assessor reliability. Some of the indicators could not be verified for reliability due to low/absent occurrence. The results indicated that many animal and resource-based indicators commonly used in intensively managed equine settings could be measured in-range with minor modifications. This study is an initial step toward validating a much-needed tool for the welfare assessment of free-roaming and conservation grazing ponies.

PICO question In horses, does treatment with intra-articular antimicrobials concurrently with intra-articular corticosteroids reduce the risk of iatrogenic synovial sepsis compared to intra-articular corticosteroids alone? Clinical bottom line From the current literature, there is no evidence showing that intra-articular injection of antibiotics in conjunction with corticosteroids reduces the risk of synovial sepsis. However, the intra-articular injection of polysulphated glycosaminoglycans (PSGAGs) in combination with corticosteroids was noted as a risk factor for developing iatrogenic synovial sepsis and therefore concurrent antibiotic injection when administering PSGAGs may be warranted. The reported frequency of infection following intra-articular injections was very low (0.02–0.08%). An overall prevalence of iatrogenic synovial sepsis following all intra-articular injections based on data from all included studies was calculated as 0.02% (CI 0.02–0.03%). However, due to the paucity of literature on the topic, further studies are required in this field to determine more accurate clinical recommendations.