Learn more about the work of the
Equine Clinical Board (ECB)
Clinical Quality Improvement​
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Clinical Quality Improvement (QI) is a key activity for the ECB. QI activities can vary from a great discussion about a clinical case, through to clinical audit and significant event meetings. QI is about learning from each other and our past experiences. It’s about questioning what we do and exploring ways we can progress our standards and consistency of care, for the benefit of the patients we treat, our clients and our teams.
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​Examples of some of our current QI projects include:
Equine Critically Important Antibiotic Audit
This report contains an in-depth audit of antibiotic purchasing data across equine only practices in the VetPartners group, using data from the past four years. We have prioritised ceftiofur and enrofloxacin as two key Critically Important Antibiotics (CIAs) in equine practice, while also monitoring trimethoprim/sulfadiazine to evaluate any shifts in the usage of a first-line, licensed antibiotic as our CIA purchasing patterns change.
Equine Insights​
Twice a year we publish Insights to keep our teams up to date on key Clinical Board activities within VetPartners. The Clinical Board is for everyone in our teams working with clients and their animals. To make us as effective as possible it is important that clinical teams know about us, what we do and know how to join and contribute to our activities. You can access a sample of Equine Insights by clicking here.
Clinical Research and Development
The ECB are passionate about encouraging and supporting clinical research. We drive the creation of new knowledge, directly relevant to clinical practice in response to our teams’ needs, to progress care both within the group and the broader profession.
All our research comes from ideas in practice that our teams want to focus on because there is a knowledge gap and as a big group it is possible to do research on a large scale.
Examples of some of our current clinical research projects include:
Project WORMS
Project WORMS recognises that veterinary teams and owners need to work together to tackle resistance to worming products. A responsible approach to the use of wormers is crucial to maximise animal welfare and ensure we have effective products available in the future.
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We have now published four papers in total; parts one and part two of the owner survey as well as parts one and two of the stud survey. We will continue to move this project forwards with our partners and will next be undertaking a survey of livery yard owners.
Press release:
myvetpartners.co.uk/post/working-together-to-tackle-anthelmintic-resistance
Project NURSE
This ongoing project aims to improve animal health and welfare by addressing the strong interest among our equine nursing teams in developing their clinical roles and providing more client-facing services.
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In April 2024 we published part one of this study on owner perceptions, before launching and completing part two which asked equine nursing teams about their current role, as well as their thoughts on career progression (this paper is currently undergoing peer review).​
Press release:
vetpartners.co.uk/news/equine-clients-welcome-ambulatory-nursing-care-for-their-horses/
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Creating Clinical Decision-making Resources
Working with our Clinical Interest Groups (CIGs) and Clinical Board Support Team (CBST), the ECB have created numerous evidence-based resources to support our teams in practice, review new medicines which have come on the market and address knowledge gaps that have been identified in practice.
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For the duration of BEVA, we have made several resources open access to share examples of the work we carry out and offer support our new graduate colleagues:​
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Strangvac (click for more information)
This document, created by the Equine Clinical Board, provides an overview of Strangvac — a strangles vaccination for horses and ponies.
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Cyathostomin (small redworm) serum ELISA test (click for more information)
Created by the Equine Clinical Board’s Internal Medicine Clinical Interest Group, this article reviews the evidence base and potential applications of the cyathostomin (small redworm) serum ELISA test in equine practice.
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Equine Dental Checklist (click for more information)
This checklist, created by the Equine Clinical Board’s Dentistry Clinical Interest Group, is designed to help practitioners carry out a full oral examination, identify pathology, and instigate appropriate treatment of the equine mouth.
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Equine Dental Treatment Plan ​(click for more information)
This document, created by the Equine Clinical Board’s Dentistry Clinical Interest Group, is designed to help clinicians develop equine dental treatment plans, including any subsequent work required, following a full oral examination.
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VetPartners colleagues presenting at BEVA this year
​A number of our colleagues are presenting at BEVA this year, all details can be found in the programme and in the summary below:​
Camilla Scott
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“Conditions of the late pregnancy: What can we really treat and how?” - Thur 11th, Hall 9, 9:30am
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"Uterine lavage bacteriology and pregnancy rates" - Fri 12th, Hall 8B, 1.51pm 
Andy Bathe
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“Sports medicine and orthopaedics” - Thur 11th, Hall 1, 9.45am
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“How to avoid common errors in lameness evaluation” – Fri 12th, Hall 9, 11.55am
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“Neurectomy, modern surgery or medieval relic” – Fri 12th, Hall 5, 4.30pm
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“Distinguishing between hock and proximal suspensory pain” – Sat 13th, Hall 9, 2.20pm
Rosina Lillywhite
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Bandaging - Thurs 11th at 9am and 1.30pm in the demo area
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Radiography – Thurs 11th at 3:30pm and Saturday 13th at 9am and 11am in the demo area
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BARTA emergency rescue demo, Fri 12th at 3.30pm in the demo area
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“Navigating the quirks: Building cohesive teams with unique individuals” – Sat 13th, Hall 10, 1.30pm​​
Vicky Savage
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“Recognising and managing urinary system issues: A focus on kidney disease” – Thur 11th, Hall 10, 2.10pm
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“Neonate acute kidney injury: Key indicators and optimal treatment” – Fri 12th, Hall 5, 9.20am
Julia Shrubb
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“Parasite control, current consensus and controversies: Are we all on the same page?”- Sat 13th, Hall 10, 10am
Rachel Tucker
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“The unblockable forelimb lameness” – Sat 13th, Hall 9, 1.40pm
Claudia Gittel
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“Post operative analgesia: How to manage severe lameness” – Sat 13th, Hall 10, 4.30pm
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Richard Payne
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“Caesarian section: Decision making and tips for success” – Sat 13th, Hall 9, 4.30pm
Andrew Wood
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“Proximal digital annular ligament” – Sat 13th, Hall 8B, 9.24am
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