World Equine Veterinary Association and Clinical Evidence for the Chinese Practitioner.

The research article is about the mission and work of the World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA). The association aims to improve the health and welfare of horses, donkeys, and mules, with a specific focus on providing education to veterinary practitioners and equine industry stakeholders in economically less developed countries.

About WEVA

• The World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA) primarily focuses on the health and well-being of equine animals like horses, donkeys, and mules. It aims to deliver high-quality continuing education to equine veterinary practitioners and stakeholders in the equine industry.
• The association mainly comprises national equine veterinary associations, with a few individual members from countries without a national association. WEVA assists these members in forming their own veterinary associations and promotes collegiality and knowledge sharing among equine veterinarians globally.
• While the association doesn’t charge membership dues, it does rely heavily on donations from national associations. Support comes in the form of financial contributions, sponsorship of speakers at WEVA meetings, participation in their biennial congress, and other forms of support.

Weva’s Approach and Beliefs

• WEVA believes that short-term visits by foreign veterinary specialists have limited impact. As a result, the association’s focus is on practical education and skills development. By providing this type of support, WEVA empowers attendees at their meetings and courses to implement the practices and knowledge they’ve gained.
• The association also believes in the importance of local veterinarians. These professionals have the best understanding of local equine diseases and the specific needs of their client population. WEVA plays a role in improving these local vets’ knowledge and professionalism, which indirectly contributes to the success of equine industries within their respective countries.

Forthcoming WEVA Biennial Congress

• WEVA plans to hold its next biennial congress in Beijing, China. The congress will be preceded by two days of wet labs, offering practical training in various topics. The choice of China as the host country is strategic, as the country’s equine industry requires professional vet services and a greater understanding of the profession by the broader population.
• Hosting the conference in China will also help increase recognition of the work done by veterinary professionals elsewhere and hopefully spur the Chinese central government to provide more support for the profession, including finding solutions to ensure access to essential medications.

The Role of the Equine Veterinary Journal

• The Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) has been selecting articles of interest to Chinese-speaking equine practitioners and providing Mandarin translations of these articles.
• The journal’s decision to allow publishing of these translated articles is praised as another positive step in reaching out to Chinese veterinary professionals. The EVJ’s editorial team and board member Dr Chong Bing Yao are acknowledged for their hard work in making these translations and wider distribution possible.