IN a significant step forward for equine welfare in Ireland, a new collaborative initiative - Equine Collaboration for Health and Outreach (ECHO) has been launched with the mission to provide support and education relating to sustainable health protection of equines.

This dynamic group brings together veterinary professionals, educators and researchers from leading institutions, including The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise Campus (CAFRE Enniskillen), the Irish Equine Centre, Teagasc, University of Limerick and University College Dublin (School of Veterinary Medicine) to promote sustainable equine health through education, outreach and practical support.

Co-ordinated and informed

ECHO was established in response to a variety of emerging challenges within the equine sector. Recognising the need for a more co-ordinated and informed approach, the group brings together diverse expertise to support improved practices and decision-making. By fostering collaboration and sharing practical knowledge, ECHO aims to empower individuals and organisations from a broad range of backgrounds to address these challenges more effectively.

At its heart, ECHO is about bringing people together to share knowledge and take meaningful action. The group’s goals are both practical and forward-thinking, designed to support those who care for and manage horses in a variety of settings.

Thoughtful approaches

ECHO’s work is guided by a few key focus areas:

  • Promoting informed practices:ECHO is dedicated to increasing awareness around key management strategies that help reduce risks and improve day-to-day operations. This includes encouraging evidence-based, thoughtful approaches to matters such as facility layout, the integration of hygiene practices into everyday yard management, and a significant focus on parasite management and reducing the need for antibiotic use.
  • Supporting sector-wide collaboration: ECHO’s strength lies in its collaborative approach. Through regular meetings and shared discussions, members contribute their expertise to ensure that the group’s work reflects real-world challenges and solutions.
  • Providing practical, local solutions:Guided by the principle of “Protecting Our Horses at Home”, ECHO focuses on providing evidence-based advice and tools that are relevant, realistic and easy to apply. Whether it’s improving access points in fields or managing shared spaces, the emphasis is on making small changes that lead to meaningful improvements.

    • Learning experience

    ECHO’s first major public-facing event titled ‘Foundations of Equine Health in the Breeding Environment’ will take place on September 12th at the Irish National Stud. Designed as a practical and immersive learning experience, the event will feature expert speakers and hands-on demonstrations.

    A key focus of the event will be to familiarise attendees, in a very practical way, with the concept of horse health risk profiles. Attendees will create a risk profile for their own farms.

    Participants can attend three distinct workshops on topics focused on optimising management practices to support healthy horses. These workshops will include discussions on proactive, practical approaches to guarding equine health that are easy and achievable to apply and integrate into everyday management tasks. The event will also cover risk management involving mares, foals and facilities from pre- to post-foaling. The importance of defending against parasites and other pasture-borne sources of ill-health will also be a key focus.

    The goal of the event is to ensure that participants not only absorb the information, but are also equipped to implement meaningful changes in their own management practices. While this initial event focuses on the breeding environment, non-breeding horse owners will also find valuable insights and practical tools by attending.

    “This event is about translating knowledge into action,” said Wendy Conlon from Teagasc, one of the group’s co-ordinators. “We want attendees to leave with clear, practical steps they can take to improve equine health and welfare in their own settings.”

    For more information or to book tickets for the event please use the QR code or you can access information using the web link: http://bit.ly/4ewzvNx

    Looking Ahead

    ECHO is a practical initiative designed to support knowledge-sharing and collaboration across the equine sector. With future events and projects already in development, the group is steadily building its role as a valuable resource for those involved in horse care and management. Stakeholders from all areas of the industry are encouraged to engage with ECHO’s work, share their insights, and contribute to the development of useful, accessible educational tools.

    For more information or to get involved, you are welcome to contact Wendy Conlon, Equine Specialist Teagasc: wendy.conlon@teagasc.ie.