Research
The Equine Veterinary Surveillance Network (EVSNET) uses de-identified electronic health data, submitted by diagnostic laboratories and veterinary practices, to research topics affecting equine health and welfare.
Some of our key research areas are highlighted below.
Infectious disease monitoring and prevention
We're investigating equine preventative health care using electronic health records. Additionally, we're enhancing surveillance for strangles, a significant equine disease, while improving understanding of diagnostic decision-making and disease management.
Antimicrobial use (AMU)
Contribution to MonitoMe - We share antimicrobial use (AMU) surveillance data through participation in the British Equine Veterinary Association MonitorMe initiative, supporting national efforts to understand and improve antimicrobial prescribing practices in equine veterinary medicine.
AMU dashboards for practices - benchmarking are provided to participating veterinary practices, enabling them to review and monitor their antimicrobial use and prescribing patterns in a quantifiable and contextualised manner, supporting responsible use and antimicrobial stewardship through data-driven insights.
Use of critically important antimicrobials – this project aims to explore the use of culture and sensitivity on the prescribing of protected antimicrobials, and to create interventions to preserve critically important antimicrobials. Find out more
AMU and AMR in breeding Thoroughbreds and neonates – as high users of antimicrobials, this project will further characterise antimicrobial use, strengthen AMR surveillance, and identify emerging resistance mechanisms in mares and foals. Find out more
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR)
Equine AMR surveillance in disease - In collaboration with microbiology researchers, we're conducting antimicrobial resistance surveillance, examining antimicrobial resistance patterns in equine medicine. This is being delivered through the reporting and analysis of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) results. Find out more
AMR surveillance in healthy horses – our Healthy Horse AMR project involves screening healthy horses across the UK to better understand the distribution and prevalence of AMR in the equine population. Find out more
Parasitic diseases and management
Partnering with parasitology researchers, we're assessing the use of diagnostic tests and anthelmintics in equine medicine. Find out more.
Equine welfare and non-infectious diseases
We're exploring conditions such as gastrointestinal disorders, neoplasia, lameness, and metabolic diseases, as well as the use of diagnostics and treatment outcomes in veterinary practice.