First online, self-study continuing professional development course addresses the currently incurable disease of equine grass sickness (EGS). A newly released short course aims to improve understanding in the veterinary profession of a disease affecting horses with access to grass. Leading experts in the field of equine science and equine care have contributed to the continuing professional development (CPD) course, which explores all aspects of equine grass sickness (EGS). The condition in horses damages the nervous system, causes gut paralysis, and is often fatal. It occurs worldwide but is most prevalent in the UK, Europe, Argentina and Chile. Anyone with an interest in EGS, from horse owners to equine veterinary surgeons and other professionals, will benefit from the online course, worth 35 CPD hours, operated by the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies with support from the Equine Grass Sickness Fund (EGSF). This course explores all aspects of the disease, including potential causes, difficulties with diagnosis, and disease development with the aim of increasing knowledge about the disease and improving care and welfare of horses and ponies. It also includes information on nursing horses in the equine hospital environment, nursing at home and for ongoing rehabilitation of horses. There are some risk factors for the disease that have been identified, which may help reduce the risk of the disease occurring, while its cause remains elusive. Self-study programme Participants must be over 18 to undertake the course and will have three month access to a range of resources including, lectures, videos, a reading list containing peer reviewed open access journal articles and opportunities to test knowledge and understanding of the topic via quizzes. Course fees are £120, with 10 per cent going to the EGSF to finance future research into this potentially fatal disease. As someone who nursed chronic grass sickness cases, I’ve seen first-hand the devastating affect this disease has on owners and their horses, and the challenges veterinary surgeons and nurses face. I am passionate about the dissemination of information about this disease and hope this course is able to support owners, vets and nurses and improve horse welfare. I hope that together we will seek and find the cause, but in the meantime, reduce the risk of this dreadful disease. Bryony LancasterEGS Online Course Leader Related links Equine Grass Sickness CPD About the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than eight hundred staff and almost fourteen hundred students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos. The School comprises: The Roslin Institute The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Security The Roslin Innovation Centre The Hospital for Small Animals Equine Veterinary Services Farm Animal Services Easter Bush Pathology The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education We represent the largest concentration of animal science-related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge. Publication date 04 Nov, 2021
