ECHO (Equine Collaboration for Health and Outreach) was launched in 2025 to provide practical support and evidence-based education focused on the sustainable health and welfare of horses and ponies. Bringing together veterinary professionals, researchers and educators from across Ireland, ECHO is building a collaborative approach to addressing some of the most important challenges facing the equine industry today.
The partnership includes experts from the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) Campus, Enniskillen, the Irish Equine Centre, Teagasc, the Irish National Stud, the University of Limerick and University College Dublin’s School of Veterinary Medicine. Together, we are committed to promoting sustainable equine health through education, outreach and practical support for everyone involved in horse care and management.
At its core, ECHO is about empowering horse owners, breeders, industry professionals and equine enthusiasts with the knowledge and confidence to make informed management decisions. By sharing the latest research alongside practical solutions, the initiative aims to encourage achievable changes that can deliver meaningful improvements in equine health and welfare.
Designed as a highly practical and interactive learning experience, the September 11th event will focus on one of the most exciting and rapidly developing areas of equine science: the relationship between nutrition, the gut microbiome and behaviour in the modern horse and pony.
Through a combination of expert presentations, hands-on demonstrations and interactive workshops, participants will gain a practical understanding of how nutrition influences the gut microbiome, how the microbiome affects health and behaviour, and how this knowledge can be applied to improve both welfare and performance.
Attendees will rotate through three workshop sessions covering nutrition fundamentals, the equine microbiota and behaviour. Each workshop will focus on straightforward, proactive management practices that can be easily incorporated into everyday horse care. Participants will also receive a practical worksheet summarising the key learning points, enabling attendees to develop an action plan tailored to their own horses or ponies.
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Irish National Stud & Gardens,
Brallistown Little, Tully, Co. Kildare,
R51 AP20, Ireland