Eleven limbs taken postmortem from 10 lame horses were examined by MRI in a low‐field 0·27T system designed for standing horses and a high‐field 1·5T system used to examine anaesthetised horses. Nine limbs were examined in the foot/pastern region and two in the fetlock region, and the results were compared with gross pathological examinations and histological examinations of selected tissues. The appearance of normal tissues was similar between the two systems, but the anatomical arrangement of the structures was different due to differences in positioning, and a magic angle artefact was observed at different sites in some imaging sequences. Articular cartilage could be differentiated into two articular surfaces in most joints in the high‐field images but could generally be separated only at the joint margins in the low‐field images. Abnormalities of tendon, ligament and bone detected by gross examination were detected by both forms of MRI, but some details were clearer on the high‐field images. Articular cartilage found to be normal on pathological examination was also classified as normal on MRI, but lesions in articular cartilage detected on pathological examination were identified only by high‐field MRI. An abnormality was detected on MRI of all the limbs that had abnormal navicular flexor fibrocartilage on pathological examination.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasingly serious threat to human and animal health, therefore responsible use of antimicrobials in equine practice is vital. There is a need to have accurate, up to date data on antimicrobial prescribing in equine practice in the UK.Objectives: To characterise current antimicrobial prescribing practices by equine veterinarians and to describe surveillance, audit processes and identification of AMR.Study design: Online cross‐sectional, questionnaire‐based survey.Methods: An online questionnaire targeting veterinarians who treat horses in the UK and Europe was distributed. The questionnaire collected data on participants' country of origin, practice policies, prescribing practices including use of high priority critical antimicrobials. Four common clinical case‐based scenarios were included to further explore prescribing practice. Responses were compared using both descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression models.Results: Questionnaires were completed by 264 veterinarians from Europe (n = 33/264) and the UK (n = 231/264); 87% respondents worked only with horses and 67% worked at premises with hospitalisation facilities. Approximately half of respondents (54.4%) had a written antimicrobial use or stewardship policy within their practice. Over half of respondents did not perform any environmental surveillance (54.2%), audit of clinical infections (53.1%) or audit of infection control (57.1%). Potentiated sulphonamides were cited as the most used antimicrobial, although 44% reported using enrofloxacin in the last year and 66% used 3rd or 4th generation cephalosporins. Prophylactic antimicrobials before clean surgery were frequently/always prescribed by 48% respondents and 24% respondents frequently/always prescribed antimicrobials post‐operatively in clean surgery.Main limitations: Potential selection bias of respondents, given individuals volunteered to take part in the survey.Conclusions: Compared with a previous similar study conducted in 2009, overall antimicrobial usage appeared to be declining in clinical scenarios and a greater proportion of practices now have stewardship policies. However, the use of high priority critical antimicrobials is still relatively common in equine practice in the UK and Europe.

Summary: Background: There is limited evidence regarding the treatment and outcomes of larval cyathostominosis. Objectives: To describe the presentation, treatment and outcomes of horses with larval cyathostominosis in two equine hospitals. Study design: Retrospective, multicentred cohort study. Methods: Clinical records were reviewed (2009–2020). Inclusion criteria included a diagnosis of larval cyathostominosis (determined by faecal assessment and/or post‐mortem examination). Data were assessed for normality. Descriptive analysis was performed for frequency results and central tendencies. Statistical analysis between survivors and nonsurvivors was determined by Chi‐square/Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, and Student's t ‐test/Mann–Whitney for continuous variables. Results: Of 38 cases, 21 (55%) were nonsurvivors (3/38 dead on arrival). Nonsurvivors died by 2.9 days ± 2.4. Tachycardia (mean 61 beats/min ± 14), leucocytosis (mean 17.1 × 10 ⁹ /L ± 9.1), neutrophilia (mean 14.1 × 10 ⁹ /L ± 8.5), hypoalbuminaemia (mean 21.6 g/L ± 6.0), hyperfibrinogenaemia (mean 7.4 g/L ± 2.6) and elevated serum amyloid A (SAA) (median 315.0 mg/L, interquartile range [IQR] 117.0–1460.0) were consistent findings. Faecal shedding of Salmonella spp. occurred in four cases. The mean last recorded albumin was 18.6 g/L ± 4.5 and total protein (TP) 52.3 g/L ± 13.6. Crystalloids were administered in 25/35, synthetic colloids in 5/35 and plasma in 17/35 cases. Anthelmintic treatment was administered in 25/35 cases, of which 22 also received corticosteroids. Recumbency prior to admission ( p = 0.037) and administration of isotonic fluid therapy ( p = 0.027) were associated with nonsurvival. From peripheral blood analysis, lower TP ( p = 0.006) and higher SAA ( p = 0.050) concentrations at admission as well as lower last recorded TP ( p = 0.002) and lower last recorded albumin concentrations ( p = 0.028) were associated with nonsurvival. Main limitations: Results may not be applicable to other populations. Conclusions: Referred cases of larval cyathostominosis have a low survival rate. Several variables are associated with reduced survival: history of recumbency, isotonic fluid therapy, elevated SAA at admission, low TP at admission, low last recorded TP and low last recorded albumin.

Summary: The rapid global spread of COVID‐19 necessitated changes to national behavioural patterns and working practices, including self‐isolating, maintenance of social distancing and lockdowns. These steps are likely to have had consequences for mental health and wellbeing. Objectives: To assess the mental wellbeing of equine veterinary surgeons, equine veterinary nurses and veterinary students during the COVID‐19 pandemic and the associated lockdown in the UK in June 2020. Study design: Electronic survey. Methods: The survey was run between 6 June 2020 and 14 June 2020, and consisted of 22 closed and open questions, including the 14‐item scale Warwick–Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS). The questionnaire was distributed through email via the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) membership database. Results: A total of 451 responses were received. The mean scores for the WEMWBS for veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses and veterinary students were 47.17, 39.53 and 44.29 respectively. These compare to 48.08 and 46.38 for equine veterinary surgeons and nurses respectively in the 2019 RCVS survey of the profession. The WEMWBS results indicated lower levels of mental wellbeing in equine veterinary nurses/student veterinary nurses and veterinary students, compared to equine veterinary surgeons, as well as in furloughed equine veterinary surgeons compared to working equine veterinary surgeons. Main limitations: Risk of self‐selection bias and reporting bias. Low numbers of veterinary nurse respondents. Conclusions: There were lower levels of mental wellbeing among equine veterinary surgeons and equine veterinary nurses during the COVID‐19 pandemic compared to the situation prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Equine veterinary nurses appeared to be more likely to report lower mental wellbeing than veterinary surgeons, and furloughed veterinary surgeons reported lower levels of mental wellbeing than veterinary surgeons that continued working during the lockdown.