Webinar – Understanding Equine Neonatal Sepsis and a Breakthrough in Early Diagnosis – Kirsty Gartland

This webinar, presented by MSc graduate Kirsty Gartland, takes a deep dive into equine neonatal sepsis, the leading cause of death in foals under one week old. Drawing on her research at Hartpury University, Kirsty explains why early diagnosis is so difficult, how subtle the clinical signs really are, and why even experienced breeders and vets can miss them.

Kirsty shares surprising findings from her UK-wide study showing that age, experience and even veterinary training don’t always translate into accurate recognition of early warning signs, a knowledge gap that may be contributing to avoidable foal deaths.

The session also introduces an exciting innovation: a rapid diagnostic Biocard being developed by Biodiagnostics to detect sepsis-specific markers in minutes, not days. If successful, this could revolutionise foal care by enabling immediate, targeted treatment and reducing reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics.

Why You Should Watch

• Learn the real early signs of neonatal sepsis – many are more subtle than you think.
• Hear what Kirsty’s research uncovered about equestrians’, breeders’ and vets’ ability to spot problems early.
• Understand why delays in diagnosis are so dangerous and what the latest science tells us.
• Get an exclusive first look at a new diagnostic tool that could transform foal survival rates.
• Perfect for breeders, stud staff, foal-watch teams, vets and anyone wanting to improve their foal-care knowledge.

Clear, practical and full of genuinely eye-opening insights, this is a must-watch for anyone involved in breeding or caring for newborn foals.

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