Shanaghan Veterinary Services - Dr Esther Skelly-Smith MRCVS

09/03/2026

Understanding “The Link” – protecting both people and animals

Yesterday marked International Women’s Day, a time to celebrate the achievements of women but also reflect on the work still needed to ensure women and girls can live safely in our communities.

Today many people in Northern Ireland woke to the tragic news of another suspected murder of a woman in County Fermanagh. It is a sobering reminder that violence and abuse remain very real issues close to home.

Today we were proud to contribute to an important workshop at CAFRE Enniskillen, organised by the Links Group and the British Horse Society, exploring the connection between animal abuse, domestic abuse and child abuse — often referred to as “The Link.”

Research increasingly shows that animal welfare and human welfare are closely connected. Events like this help professionals from veterinary medicine, policing, safeguarding and the equestrian sector work together to recognise concerns earlier and support both people and animals.

Thank you to everyone involved in facilitating such an important conversation.

20/02/2026

🐴 Protecting Horses. Protecting People. 🐴

Abuse does not exist in isolation.
Evidence consistently demonstrates “The Link” between animal abuse, domestic abuse and child abuse. If we work with horses, children or families, safeguarding is part of our professional duty.

On Monday 9 March 2026 (10am–3pm) at CAFRE Enniskillen Campus join The Links Group, Fermanagh and Omagh Women’s Aid, British Horse Society NI & Ireland and multi-agency professionals for an information session and interactive workshop:

🔎 Recognising non-accidental injury in horses
🧠 Understanding coercive control involving animals
📋 Clinical documentation & veterinary forensics
👧 The impact of abuse on children
🏇 Safeguarding responsibilities in equestrian sport
🤝 Why a multi-agency approach matters

Speakers include safeguarding specialists, veterinary expert witnesses, domestic abuse professionals and equine veterinary input.

The afternoon workshop will actively shape what an effective equine-specific safeguarding training module should look like for our sector.

✔ 4 CPD points for BHS Accredited Professional Coaches
✔ Open to coaches, riding schools, equestrian businesses & groups across NI and ROI (18+)
✔ £15 (includes lunch)

If you run a yard, employ staff, teach children, or provide veterinary care — safeguarding literacy is no longer optional. It is part of modern professional competence.

Book here:
https://buytickets.at/bhsireland/2066996

🐴‘The Link’ between animal abuse, domestic abuse and child abuse:
What should a safe yard look like?🐴
You are invited to join us for this special day to discuss this difficult topic with The Links Group, Fermanagh Women’s Aid and more.

On Monday 9 March 2026 at CAFRE Enniskillen Campus from 10am to 3pm

This day will count as 4 CPD Points for BHS Accredited Professional Coaches.

Coaches, Riding School and Equestrian Business owners and groups from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are all welcome. Attendees must be a minimum of 18 years of age.

The Cost is £15 to cover lunch provided by the college.

Click on the link to find out more and to book your place
https://buytickets.at/bhsireland/2066996

20/02/2026

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT 🔬Separation anxiety in horses – it’s more complex than you think.

A newly published paper (Ricci-Bonot et al., 2026) in Applied Animal Behaviour Science has developed the first expert consensus definition of “separation anxiety” in horses.

Here’s the key takeaway 👇

It’s not simply about a horse “not liking being alone.”

Separation-related distress can occur:

• In anticipation of being taken away
• When another horse is removed
• During the act of leaving
• After total loss of contact
• Even when still with other horses, if a bonded companion is gone

And the behaviours aren’t just running and calling.

They range from:
✔ Hypervigilance and fence running
✔ Sweating and increased heart rate
✔ Aggression or rushing home
✔ Through to apathy and shutting down

Crucially — many of these signs also overlap with pain or ridden conflict behaviour.

So when we see:
“Barn sour”
Reluctance to leave the yard
Escalating behaviour when hacking alone

The question shouldn’t just be:
“Is this separation anxiety?”

It should be:
“What stage of separation is triggering distress — and could there be pain or relationship conflict contributing?”

This paper gives us a more structured, welfare-focused framework for assessment.

As equine vets, this reinforces the importance of:
• Ruling out pain
• Understanding attachment bonds and group dynamics
• Looking at anticipation cues
• Assessing the full behavioural picture

Separation-related distress is real.
But it is not simplistic.

If you’re struggling with a horse that escalates when separated, it’s worth a proper clinical and behavioural assessment rather than labelling it.

Welfare-first. Evidence-led. Always.

— Shanaghan Veterinary Services 🐴

Ricci-Bonot, C., Dalla Costa, E., Houpt, K., Jones, M., Koch, V.W., Pearson, G., Randle, H., van Dierendonck, M. and Mills, D.S., 2026. Development of a consensus definition of “separation anxiety” for horses. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 298, p.106937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2026.106937

15/02/2026

🎙️ Recommended listening | Equine welfare & decision-making

The latest episode of the Changing Rein podcast tackles a subject that sits at the centre of modern equine practice: how welfare decisions are actually made in horse sport — and who shapes them.

In this episode, hosts Karen Luke and Meta Osborne speak with Professor Nat Waran, one of the world’s leading equine welfare scientists, about the realities of influencing policy, the role of evidence in welfare reform, and the gaps that still exist between science and practice.

For vets, trainers, riders and anyone working within equestrian systems, this is an important reminder that welfare progress is not driven by opinion, but by robust evidence, ethical frameworks and accountability.

▶️ Watch here: https://youtu.be/PFEht4kEHBE

This episode kicks off our new season of Changing Rein, in which we hope to step back and take a ‘big picture’ look at how welfare policy happens in equestri...

11/02/2026

International Day of Women and Girls in Science | 11 February

Today marks Women in Science Day.

My work spans equine veterinary medicine, research, education, and regenerative agriculture. At its core, it is about applying evidence, critical thinking, and good science to real-world problems — animal welfare, sustainable food systems, and improving veterinary and agricultural practice.

I’ve also had the privilege of working alongside some exceptional students here over the years — Rachel, Faye, Chloe, Helene, and Kyia. Most came through Queen’s University studying Biological Sciences or Zoology, and Chloe is now studying Veterinary Medicine at Nottingham. All have worked on Shanaghan Hill Farm and within the veterinary practice.

We are genuinely proud of the contributions these women are now making across a range of scientific and professional fields.

Women remain under-represented in scientific leadership and decision-making spaces. Progress comes from competence, persistence, and maintaining standards.

Science depends on diversity of thought. Animal welfare depends on evidence.

30/01/2026

Thank you Strule Valley Riding Club!

A huge thank you to Strule Valley Riding Club for inviting Shanaghan Veterinary Services to speak on Wednesday night about Equine Welfare.

It was lovely to meet so many members and visitors, and to have such an interesting discussion with people who care deeply about doing the best for their horses.

Thanks to everyone who came along, asked great questions, and made it such an enjoyable evening.

Looking forward to more evenings like this soon!

— Dr Esther Skelly-Smith MRCVS
Shanaghan Veterinary Services 🐴🩷

24/12/2025

As the year comes to a close, we want to say a heartfelt thank you to all our clients for the trust you place in us and for allowing us to care for your horses. It truly means a great deal to us.

Wishing you and your horses a peaceful Christmas.
We reopen on 6 January 2026, with appointments continuing to be booked via www.svsvet.co.uk 🎄

09/12/2025

International Day of Veterinary Medicine

Today makes me stop and appreciate just how much of a privilege it is to be part of this profession. Veterinary medicine has shaped my life in ways I never could have predicted, and I’m grateful for the direction it’s taken me.

My degree allowed me to build Shanaghan Veterinary Services, where my work centres on equine performance, sports medicine and rehabilitation. Horses have been a passion for as long as I can remember, and being able to support their welfare, soundness and long-term athletic potential is something I never take for granted. Working with these animals — and the dedicated people behind them — is a privilege every single day.

That same foundation shapes how we run Shanaghan Hill Farm. Whether we’re breeding sport horses or raising lambs, veterinary training sits quietly in the background, guiding decisions around welfare, health, sustainability and resilience. It influences far more than clinical work; it shapes how you think and act across an entire system.

I’m also thankful for the leadership roles I’ve been able to take on. Veterinary medicine teaches you to listen, analyse, communicate clearly and make decisions when they matter. Those skills have opened doors into policy, industry engagement and wider professional support — opportunities I’m genuinely proud of.

This profession can be demanding, but it remains an extraordinary privilege. To serve animals, support people and contribute to stronger, more welfare-focused systems is something I’ll never take lightly. I’m proud to stand alongside colleagues who continue to push standards forward.

03/12/2025

🎅 CHRISTMAS CLOSURE DATES 🎅

As the festive period approaches, we’re giving clients early notice of our planned Christmas shutdown.

➡️ Closed: 23rd December – 5th January
➡️ Reopening: 6th January 2026

We have limited appointment availability in the run-up to Christmas, so if your horse needs seen before the break—please book as soon as possible.

Our online booking system remains open throughout the holidays:
🌐 www.svsvet.co.uk

Thank you for your continued support this year. Wishing all our clients—and their horses—a safe, healthy, and peaceful festive season. 🎄🐴

12/11/2025

📢 Calling all equine vets, professionals, owners & caregivers! 🐴

Researchers from Queen's University Belfast are inviting anyone involved in horse care or veterinary practice to take part in a short study exploring horse lifestyle, management, and stereotypical behaviours.

Your input will help shape future research into improving horse welfare and management — and it only takes around 15 minutes to complete.

☕️ So, pour a cuppa and help contribute to equine science – every response counts!

🔗 Take part here: https://run.pavlovia.org/pavlovia/survey-2024.2.0/?surveyId=5a08391b-e1d1-488a-b92f-ba96a39ef3a5

For more info, contact:
📧 PhD Researcher Lyndsey Sneddon – [email protected]

🩺 Proud to support equine welfare research from Queen’s University Belfast.

28/10/2025

🌟 Honoured and humbled to receive the NEWC Volunteer of the Year Award 2025 🌟

I’m deeply grateful to the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) for this recognition, and to all those across Northern Ireland and beyond who share a passion for improving equine welfare.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who continues to keep equine welfare high on the agenda — your support and shared determination make all the difference.

“Volunteer of the Year – Dr Esther Skelly-Smith (North of Ireland Veterinary Association - NIVA)

Esther has been an outstanding advocate for equine welfare in Northern Ireland and across the British Isles. She organised the first all-island Equine Welfare Symposium in 2024, bringing together horse owners, vets, farriers, charities, and government representatives. Through follow-up reports, stakeholder meetings, and ongoing initiatives, Esther continues to champion equine welfare, ensuring that discussion and action remain high on the agenda.”