Horse owners, riders, trainers, and competition organisers are invited to attend an informative free webinar on Competition Horse Health: Disease Prevention, Biosecurity & Identification, Monday, 29 June at 7.30pm, presented by equine veterinarian Dr Anna Juan.
As horses travel regularly between yards, training venues, and competitions, maintaining good preventative healthcare practices is essential to safeguarding equine health, welfare, and performance. This webinar will provide practical, evidence-based guidance on reducing disease risks and ensuring horses meet the necessary health and identification requirements for competition and travel.
The session will cover a wide range of topics, including the importance of preventative healthcare, vaccination protocols, biosecurity measures, and monitoring horses for early signs of illness. Participants will gain an understanding of how infectious diseases can spread at competitions and during transport, and how simple management practices can significantly reduce the risk of disease transmission.
Key contagious diseases affecting competition horses will be discussed, including equine influenza, equine herpesvirus (EHV), and strangles. Attendees will learn about disease transmission, clinical signs, prevention strategies, outbreak management, and current recommendations for surveillance and reporting.
The webinar will also focus on horse identification and traceability, covering equine passports, microchipping requirements, ownership records, and the role of accurate identification in disease control and competition compliance. Practical guidance on preparing horses for competition, including pre-event health assessments, travel preparation, and maintaining biosecurity throughout the season, will also be provided.
A dedicated question-and-answer session will give participants the opportunity to discuss health concerns affecting competition horses, seek clarification on vaccination and competition requirements, and receive practical advice on implementing effective biosecurity measures both at home and when travelling.
About the Speaker
Dr Anna Juan has over ten years of experience as an equine veterinarian, working with competition horses in both Ireland and the United Kingdom. She is currently an Assistant Professor and Academic Clinician in Equine Clinical Studies at the UCD School of Veterinary Medicine, where she combines clinical work within the Equine Field Service with teaching and research.
Anna holds a Postgraduate Diploma in University Teaching and Learning and is currently undertaking a PhD focused on thoracolumbar pain in horses. Her research interests include equine musculoskeletal health, equine welfare, veterinary education, and the application of innovative technologies in veterinary medicine.
For the past four years, she has actively organised educational and outreach events that connect the equine community with veterinary science, promoting evidence-based approaches to horse health, welfare, and performance. Through her clinical, teaching, and research roles, she is passionate about translating scientific knowledge into practical information that benefits horse owners, riders, trainers, and veterinary professionals.
Learning Outcomes
By attending this webinar, participants will gain a practical understanding of how to:
- Protect horses from contagious diseases.
- Implement effective biosecurity measures.
- Meet vaccination and competition health requirements.
- Ensure correct horse identification and traceability.
- Prepare horses safely for competition and travel.
- Support horse health, welfare, and performance throughout the competition season.
This webinar is suitable for horse owners, riders, trainers, officials, and anyone involved in the care and management of competition horses.
Date: 29 June 2026
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Online Webinar
You can sign up for this free webinar at this link.
Registration will close at 12 noon on the 29th of June.
