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 and resistance

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 about our research in antimicrobial resistance surveillance

We also have a Healthy Horse AMR project to investigate AMR in healthy horses across the UK. This involves screening horses nationwide to better understand the distribution and prevalence of AMR in the equine population. Several recruitment strategies are being used to evaluate their effectiveness, costs and population coverage. These include veterinarian‑led sampling, citizen science through horse‑owner‑led sampling, and targeted recruitment of underrepresented groups.

Find out more about our healthy horse AMR project

We also contribute to antimicrobial use (AMU) surveillance through participation in the British Equine Veterinary Association Monitor Me initiative, supporting national efforts to understand and improve antimicrobial prescribing practices in equine veterinary medicine.

Find out more on interventions to improve highest priority critically important antimicrobial use

In addition, benchmarking dashboards 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.

Find out more about our HBLB funded research in breeding mares and neonates

Parasitic diseases and management

Partnering with parasitology researchers, we're assessing the use of diagnostic tests and anthelmintics in equine medicine. 

Find out more about our research in sustainable parasite control in UK horses

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.