2019 Horse Health Week to Focus on ‘Knowing the Risk of Infection’ 25 -29 March 2019
Milton Keynes, March 12, 2019 – This year’s Horse Health Week (HHW), taking place between 25 and 29 March 2019, will arrive at an important time when, following the much publicised cases of equine flu, practices, yards and owners will be more focused on the importance of preventative healthcare than ever before. This year HHW will centre on helping horse owners and yards understand the risks of infectious disease to their horse and the importance of vaccination. Organised by MSD Animal Health as part of its Keeping Britain’s Horses Healthy (KBHH) initiative, the week will be supported with a range of targeted materials that help practices engage owners and yards with preventative health care best practice and compliance.
The HHW support materials will include ‘What’s Your Risk’ posters, and cards that allow yards to promote compliance on stable doors and demonstrate the preventative healthcare status of the individual horse. Buzz, the popular HHW animated horse, will return with Buzz-word Bingo, using a questions and answers format on preventative healthcare that can be used during client evenings. There are profile banners, social media posts and videos for practices, daily competitions and on-line risk assessment tools – an interactive version of the ‘What’s Your Risk’ poster. Campaign planning and evaluation resources will also be available to help practices manage an effective campaign. They will also be supported through the KBHH web page (www.healthyhorses.co.uk/horse-week), FaceBook page and on Twitter (@Keepinghorseshealthy).
Vicki Farr, Equine Veterinary Advisor at MSD Animal Health comments: “The recent outbreaks of equine flu have rocked the horse-racing world, costing the industry millions and raising important animal welfare issues. Furthermore, they have highlighted the need for good preventative healthcare and, in particular, vaccination. HHW will therefore come at a relevant time for horse owners and yards when the impact of equine flu is still at the front of their minds. This year HHW will provide vital tools for practices; building on the knowledge and resources we’ve acquired throughout the KBHH campaign and from previous HHWs. Our focus is on engaging owners and yards on understanding the risk of disease for their horse, while rewarding them for best practice. We are again providing a wide range of resources for practices to help them create an engaging and successful campaign that helps build knowledge amongst the equine community.”
For further information go to: For full details talk to your MSD Animal Health Equine Account Manager, call 01908 685685 or refer to KBHH social media feeds on Facebook page and Twitter (@keepinghorseshealthy).
About MSD Animal Health
For more than a century, MSD, a leading global biopharmaceutical company, has been inventing for life, bringing forward medicines and vaccines for many of the world’s most challenging diseases. MSD Animal Health, a division of Merck & Co., Inc., Kenilworth, N.J., USA, is the global animal health business unit of MSD. Through its commitment to the Science of Healthier Animals®, MSD Animal Health offers veterinarians, farmers, pet owners and governments one of the widest range of veterinary pharmaceuticals, vaccines and health management solutions and services. MSD Animal Health is dedicated to preserving and improving the health, well-being and performance of animals. It invests extensively in dynamic and comprehensive R&D resources and a modern, global supply chain. MSD Animal Health is present in more than 50 countries, while its products are available in some 150 markets. For more information, visit www.msd-animal-health.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.