The British Equine Veterinary Association has a membership of some 2,000 veterinary surgeons with particular interest in horses.

The wealth of knowledge and experience held by these members has not been harnessed fully in research endeavour. Clinically relevant research is most effective when it addresses focused clinical questions and includes large study populations. The aim of this research programme is to set up a network of our members so that data from cases seen in general practice can be collected, analysed and then fed back to the veterinary surgeons in general and equine practice. This ultimately should lead to best evidence-based treatments being offered to our horses.

The BEVA Trust is the charitable arm of the Association with prime responsibility in educational matters for equine vets and horse owners alike. It is through the Trust that it is intended to set up the system whereby theis valuable information can be sourced.

The Research

The veterinary surgeon will be using his/her normal line of treatment for the conditions rather than being asked to use specific protocols. Information will be required on the diagnosis, treatment and eventual outcome.

Collection and Analysis of Data

All members of the BEVA are invited to take part and submit their data from relevant cases encountered in their daily work. This will be fed back to our central office, where it will be analysed by a research graduate.

Disemmination of the Results

The collated results will be fed back to:

• Veterinary surgeons through our monthly journals Equine Veterinary Education (EVE) and Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ).
• Our donors through direct mailing updates and research seminars.
• The general public via the veterinary pages in the lay press .

Previous Research Projects

• EBM Survey: Analgesia for colic
• Practice-based study on factors affecting return to soundness in acute pasture-associated laminitis.

Click here for more information on the laminitis project.

The Future

In establishing this programme, the BEVA hopes to create an invaluable research resource based on its membership. In future, this can be used to investigate a wide range of clinical topics.

It will also allow disease surveillance to be carried out through the network of contacts established with equine practices around the country.

For more information please email the BEVA office