Page 55 - Eclipse - RVC Alumni Magazine - Autumn 2020

CLASSNOTES
Honorary Vet for the Riding for the Disabled Association
Nick Hart graduated from the RVC in 2003 and has held several roles within RVC Equine. He is currently part of the RVC Equine Practice team, looking after New Business and Practice Development. In July he was appointed as the national Honorary Veterinary Surgeon for the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA), having been nominated by its members. The RDA provides equine opportunities for 25,000 disabled children and adults from nearly 500 centres across the UK. The role is a three-year appointment.
How long have you been involved with the RDA?
Whilst I have been clinically treating the RDA horses for several local groups since 2003, I responded to a request for veterinary volunteers to form a network of ‘RDA Regional Veterinary Advisors’
in 2017. Alongside Amy Barstow (RVC alumna and former staff member) I became the Regional Veterinary Advisor for the Greater London groups at this time. This role involves attending regional events, such as the regional qualifiers (for the National Championships), or training days to provide veterinary cover
for the competing horses, advising groups on health and welfare issues (weight management, vaccinations etc) and being part of the veterinary team at the National Championships.
What motivated you to get involved?
The RDA is a fantastic charity that does
so much good for local communities. I strongly believe in the values of the RDA and the work that it does, so it is a privilege to be able to use my skills to support them.
What does the role involve?
The role is multidimensional – policy
setting, clinical care at competitions
and educational. One of the major parts of the role is organising the veterinary care of the horses at the National Championships, the flagship RDA event. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, this year’s event was cancelled. Instead I have been involved in advising on the care of the horses during the lockdown period (e.g. weight control whilst they are not in regular work!) and updating groups with the latest advice about what work vets are able to perform and what measures people can take to reduce risk of COVID-19 during a veterinary visit. I am currently on the steering group that is determining policy for groups getting started again after lockdown.
Are there any special considerations for equine health management for the RDA?
Not really – every RDA Group has different equine needs, from sedate ponies, to weight carrying cobs, to athletic competition horses, that can take part
in a range of disciplines from riding to carriage driving, vaulting to showjumping and endurance. Whilst group needs differ depending on their participants, all RDA horses and ponies need to be fit, healthy, sound, athletic and able to adapt to the lifestyle at an RDA group.
What you hope to achieve in the role?
I am delighted and honoured to be appointed as the RDA Honorary Veterinary Surgeon. Whilst the coronavirus pandemic has altered plans, I am relishing the challenge of helping to find a way through the crisis and ensuring that the horses are fit and healthy for when activities start again.
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