BHS Scotland is the Scottish Branch of the British Horse Society overseen by an independent Scottish Committee that has its own Scottish constitution and manages its own finances. The Scottish Committee consists of representatives of twelve regional committees. This means we have enthusiastic and informed volunteers who help deliver the Society’s work in every postcode area in Scotland.  This covers the areas of access, approving equestrian establishments, competitions (including Trec), education, exams, Riding Clubs, safety, training and welfare.

This massive volunteer effort promotes improved standards through education, social opportunities and lobbying – so equine interests are at the heart of everything we do!    BHS Scotland is Scotland’s largest equine membership organisation - today our membership stands at 4780 and it is rising fast.  Join the BHS and be part of a movement that has improved the lot of equines for over half a century in Scotland.  Together we can achieve more.  And that’s what we call “taking care of Scottish equestrianism”!

If there is anything you would like to see on our website please contact us on bhsscotland@bhs.org.uk.

BHS Scotland is the benefitting charity at Blair this year Walk the CCI *** track with William Fox-Pitt, Ruth Edge Caroline Powell and Lucy Wiegersma are all supporting BHS Scotland by leading a cross country course walk. Click here to find out how to join them.

It's not too late to . . . volunteer for Blair!

We still have a few places left for helpers at Blair, especially on Saturday, the cross country day. This is a great opportunity to see some of the top riders as well as helping charity at the same time.  Click here for more information.

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BHSS delighted at Vet School offer to help early diagnosis of strangles

he Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is offering horse owners and yard managers in Scotland cost price tests to establish Strangles free status in an effort to control the spread of this horrendous disease.

The generous offer follows a recent successful international Strangles Conference held in Edinburgh when BHS Scotland presented a video endoscope to the vet school.

Professor Paddy Dixon said: "The Strangles Conference reinforced the message that careful biosecurity and adhering to STEPS (the Strategy to Eradicate and Prevent Strangles) are currently our best weapons in controlling this infection while we await the development of an effective Strangles vaccine.

"The BHS is aware that there are reports of horses being moved from infected yards to other yards, incredibly even during an active outbreak. Therefore we have decided that we should offer to carry out tests - endoscopy and lavage of the guttural pouches - to obtain samples for bacteriology and PCR examinations, at the Animal Health Trust (AHT), Newmarket, that establishes the infection status of any horse.

“These examinations will be performed for the cost of laboratory tests at the AHT (£28 plus VAT) and sedative drugs/disposables (£25 plus VAT).

“This initiative in combination with the endoscope donation from BHS Scotland will greatly facilitate the identification of carrier animals before they spread the bacterium further.

“The offer will stand for one year from now and we would of course have to have a referral from the owners’ vet in order to carry out these investigations."

Anyone interested in following up this offer should ask their own veterinary surgeon to contact the Large Animal Hospital of the “Dick Vet” on 0131 650 6253; fax 0131 650 8824 or email: lah@ed.ac.uk

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BHS launches Welfare Code of Practice for Shows

The Code was devised as a result of the number of concerns reported to the BHS Welfare Department regarding the treatment of horses at shows, and feedback from show organisers who often feel unable to act when welfare breaches are reported to them. The Code includes guidelines on all aspects of the welfare of horses at events such as transport, use of the whip, conduct in and out of the show ring and the provision of feed, water and shelter. If a show organiser finds that a competitor is in breach of the Code, they will then have firm grounds to issue a formal warning or disqualify that individual from their classes. In severe cases, individuals may be asked to leave the showground or be reported to a welfare agency. For more information click here. (Added 11 July)

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