When the Association was founded in 1961, it had 57 members. The membership is now over 2300 of which 500 are overseas and over 300 student members.

Objectives of the Association

1. To promote veterinary and allied sciences related to the welfare of the horse.
2. To promote and foster the cultural, scientific and professional activities of veterinary surgeons interested in equine practice, teaching and research.
3. To promote a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas on the management, health and disease of the horse by holding meeting and an Annual Congress.
4. To encourage research into equine problems.
5. To publish the Equine Veterinary Journal and Equine Veterinary Education
6. To foster the collection, indexing and publication of world literature on veterinary and allied sciences related to the horse.
7. To co-operate with other national and international bodies interested in the promotion of equine and allied sciences.

Scientific meetings and continuing professional development

The Annual Congress is held over three days in September each year with four parallel sessions and attended by approximately 900 vets. Student members receive greatly reduced rates and 16 students act as stewards at Congress. (If you are interested in being a BEVA Student Steward click here.)

There are two one day clinical workshops held in the Spring and Winter. The topics vary at each meeting and as well as an excellent scientific day it is also a good way of meeting new colleagues. Student members may attend at a nominal charge.

BEVA organises an increasing number of courses each year including reproductive ultrasonography, musculoskeletal ultrasonography and artificial insemination to name a few.

EVJ and EVE

The principal scientific publication of the Association is the Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) which is acknowledged as the premier equine scientific journal in the world. Six issues are published annually. EVJ Limited also publishes a number of supplements. Equine Veterinary Education (EVE) is published every month with the objective of contributing to the education of undergraduates and continuing the education of graduates. The Horse Trust and the BEVA Trust kindly provide sponsorship, which enables student UK members to receive EVE free of charge with their membership.

BEVA Trust

The BEVA Trust was formed in 1966 to provide funds to facilitate the dissemination of scientific knowledge. In 1983 the Trust initiated the Annual Travel Scholarships for young veterinary surgeons to go abroad to study a selected subject. The Queen Mother Student Travel Awards are made to a student each year to assist in travel to a centre of veterinary excellence for furthering their study of equine subjects.

Student membership of BEVA

Students at any University Veterinary School in Great Britain and Ireland awarding degrees recognised by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons may apply for student membership.