EDITOR of The Irish Field, Leo Powell, officially opened the two-day 2016 Irish Equine Veterinary Conference in The Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny yesterday, attended by over 100 vets specialising in the care of horses.

Wexford equine vet Rosalinda Devereux MRCVS, chair of Veterinary Ireland’s equine committee, said that the significance of the equine sector can be seen in the figures, with the thoroughbred sector worth over €1.1 billion, exporting to some 37 countries and employing 14,000 people countrywide while the Irish Sport Horse Industry is estimated to contribute €700 million to the economy, supporting 12,000 jobs.