IVC Evidensia Equine Vets release Practice Fundamentals Guide to over 60 UK equine practices

February 22, 2023

IVC Evidensia’s Equine Clinical Board have harnessed the wealth of experience throughout their equine network and released an Equine Fundamentals Guide. The guide was created by a team of equine clinicians led by the chairman and vice chairman of the board, Richard Stephenson and John Spencer. 

It’s already been received by equine and mixed vets in over 60 practices across the UK, including a unique group of international vets who have been welcomed by the group and are working towards sitting their RCVS examination to practice in the UK. 

Rather than being a straightforward textbook, the guide contains the distilled wisdom of clinicians who collectively have over a century of experience working in equine practices. 

This makes it an invaluable resource for veterinary students and new and recent graduates assisting them in their journey in equine practice.  

The decision to print the guide rather than create an electronic version was very much in response to feedback from our rural vets who often find themselves without an internet connection.

Richard Stephenson, Chairman of the Equine Clinical Board commented:

“While the guidance is primarily aimed at new graduates, there is useful information for everyone. A good clinician needs to interpret it in the light of the clinical picture they are presented with. 

“IVC Evidensia supports clinical freedom, and in this way, we do not seek to be prescriptive. Our guidance is exactly what it says on the tin – guidance. 

“Our hope is that if this guide is followed, the many pitfalls of equine practice can be avoided. This should result in positive outcomes for patients and will ultimately help in building lasting positive relationships with clients.”

The free guide has already been utilised by 380 clinicians across the UK, including Zoe Mills from Penmellyn Vets, who highlighted the practicalities of having the guide to hand:

“The Practice Fundamentals Guide is really useful to have in practice and on the road, covering all the common cases you encounter as a new graduate. 

“As it is printed on card it doesn’t get dirty or bent, and the layout of it also means there is one A4 page per condition, meaning it is easy to navigate when dealing with cases.”

Nicky Kerbyson, Clinical Director at Avondale Vets, also commented:

“The Equine Fundamentals guide is an invaluable resource for recent graduates and experienced vets alike - it bridges the gap between real life scenarios and a textbook and is the next best thing to having an experienced clinician shadowing you during those lonely moments on call. I look forward to using it with my team!”

We would like to thank all those who contributed to the clinical content of the guide including, Mhairi Young, Lindsay Harrison, Stacey Douglas, Bruce Bladon, Heather Wallace and Mark Tabachnik.  

Finally, thank you to Paula Nugent, the Regional Head of Equine for Scotland and Northern Ireland for pulling the project together. 

For more information on Equine Vets, head to our dedicated page here.