BEVA (British Equine Veterinary Association)

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is the UK’s professional body for equine veterinarians, providing continuing professional development (CPD), clinical guidance, scientific publishing, and professional leadership for equine vets in Britain and internationally.

Founded in 1961, BEVA has evolved into one of the most influential equine veterinary organisations in the world, helping to shape how equine medicine is practised through evidence-based education, peer-reviewed research, and widely adopted clinical standards.

For equine veterinarians in the UK and abroad, BEVA delivers world-class CPD, publishes leading scientific journals, and represents the profession on issues that matter – from antimicrobial stewardship and clinical governance to equine welfare and workforce sustainability.

BEVA members work across racing, sport horse, breeding, referral, and ambulatory equine practice settings worldwide, reflecting the association’s broad clinical reach and international relevance.

At the centre of BEVA’s calendar is BEVA Congress, the largest equine veterinary event in Europe. In 2026, the Congress returns to the ICC Birmingham from 9–12 September, bringing together thousands of equine veterinarians, specialists, researchers, and industry leaders from around the globe.

A Brief History of BEVA

The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) was established in 1961, at a time when equine medicine was becoming increasingly specialised and veterinarians recognised the need for a dedicated organisation to raise clinical standards and share knowledge.

Among BEVA’s founding figures was Peter Rossdale, who would later become editor of the Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) – now one of the most widely cited and respected scientific publications in equine medicine worldwide.

From the outset, BEVA combined rigorous science with practical clinical application. Early BEVA Congress meetings established a format that prioritised real-world relevance, helping to shape what has since become Europe’s premier equine veterinary conference.

The subsequent launch of Equine Veterinary Journal (EVJ) and Equine Veterinary Education (EVE) cemented BEVA’s position as a global leader in equine veterinary publishing.

This long-standing commitment to evidence-based progress continues today through initiatives such as the BEVA Trust, supporting research, education, and the future development of equine practice.

What British Equine Veterinary Association Does Today

Today, the British Equine Veterinary Association is more than just a membership society. It is a global hub for equine veterinary excellence, offering:

Gold-standard CPD – Over 50 courses annually, including dentistry, reproduction, foal care, orthopaedics, and imaging.
Scientific publishing – Through EVJ and EVE, BEVA ensures that the latest equine research is accessible to clinicians worldwide.
Policy & advocacy – BEVA leads on responsible antimicrobial use, equine welfare, and improving working conditions for vets.
Community & wellbeing support – From mentoring to mental health resources, BEVA supports the people behind equine practice.

BEVA Clinical Guidelines and Consensus Statements

One of the most valuable contributions of BEVA (British Equine Veterinary Association) is its work in producing practical, evidence-based clinical guidance that helps equine vets standardise decision-making and improve outcomes in day-to-day practice.

These resources are designed to translate research into real-world clinical standards – especially in areas where variability in approach can affect patient safety, welfare, and professional accountability.

A key example is BEVA’s guidance on medicines and prescribing, including its resources on antibiotics and antimicrobial use in equine practice. As antimicrobial resistance becomes an increasingly high-stakes issue globally, BEVA continues to support the profession with prescribing guidance and education aimed at responsible and defensible decision-making.

For equine vets, the practical value of BEVA clinical guidelines is simple: they provide a clear reference point for best practice, support clinical governance within practices, and help clinicians communicate more confidently with clients when care decisions require justification or a conservative approach.

Supporting Equine Vets Worldwide

Although BEVA is rooted in the UK, its influence stretches worldwide. It supports international colleagues in two key ways:

Affiliate Membership – Vets who belong to recognised national associations (such as IEVA in Ireland or SAEVA in South Africa) can join BEVA 2026 at a discounted rate. This provides access to BEVA’s journals, CPD library, webinars, and reduced Congress registration fees.
European collaboration through FEEVA – As an active member of the Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations (FEEVA), BEVA works with societies across Europe to align standards, share resources, and advocate on behalf of equine vets on issues such as antimicrobial stewardship and welfare.

In this way, BEVA not only strengthens UK equine practice but also helps smaller associations benefit from its experience and resources.

BEVA’s Influence Beyond the United Kingdom

Although founded in the UK, the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has an influence that extends far beyond national borders.

BEVA’s clinical guidelines, scientific journals, and Congress education are widely referenced by equine veterinarians across Europe and internationally.

In many countries, BEVA publications and educational standards are used as benchmarks for best practice, particularly in areas such as antimicrobial stewardship, equine welfare, and clinical governance.

Through its active involvement with European and international veterinary bodies, BEVA contributes to the alignment of professional standards across borders. This collaborative approach helps ensure that equine vets – regardless of where they practise – are working from a shared foundation of evidence-based medicine and ethical responsibility.

BEVA Congress further reinforces this global role. Each year, the event attracts delegates, speakers, and exhibitors from around the world, making it a key meeting point for the international equine veterinary community.

For many overseas veterinarians, BEVA Congress represents their primary gateway into European equine practice, research, and professional networking.

In this way, the British Equine Veterinary Association functions not only as the UK’s leading equine veterinary organisation, but also as an influential voice shaping equine veterinary standards worldwide.

The BEVA Trust: Supporting Research and the Future of Equine Medicine

Beyond education and advocacy, the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) also plays a direct role in advancing equine medicine through the BEVA Trust.

The BEVA Trust is an independent charitable arm that supports equine veterinary research, education, and welfare initiatives. Its focus is on funding work that delivers practical benefit to horses and the veterinarians who care for them, rather than purely academic research disconnected from clinical reality.

Through grants, scholarships, and project funding, the BEVA Trust helps:

Support clinically relevant equine research
Encourage innovation in diagnostics, treatment, and welfare
Assist early-career vets and researchers developing their expertise
Translate research findings into usable knowledge for everyday practice

For equine vets, this work underpins many of the advances that later appear in BEVA CPD, Congress lectures, and published guidance. It also reinforces BEVA’s role not just as a professional membership organisation, but as a long-term steward of equine veterinary progress.

By investing in research and education through the BEVA Trust, the British Equine Veterinary Association helps ensure that equine practice continues to evolve in a way that is evidence-based, clinically relevant, and focused on horse welfare.

Supporting Early-Career and Recent Graduate Equine Veterinarians

A key priority for the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is supporting the long-term sustainability of the equine veterinary profession – particularly for students, recent graduates, and early-career equine vets.

Recognising the clinical, financial, and emotional pressures faced in the early years of equine practice, BEVA provides structured support designed to help vets build confidence, competence, and career longevity.

This includes reduced membership and Congress fees, targeted CPD, and education streams specifically tailored to vets within their first few years of qualification.

BEVA also plays an active role in promoting mentorship, wellbeing, and retention within equine practice.

Through career resources, professional guidance, and a strong sense of community, the British Equine Veterinary Association helps early-career vets navigate the transition from university into real-world clinical responsibility.

For practices employing young equine vets, BEVA’s focus on early-career development provides reassurance that professional standards, education, and support structures extend beyond the workplace itself.

For individual clinicians, it reinforces that BEVA is not just an organisation for senior specialists, but a professional home from the very start of an equine veterinary career.

BEVA Congress 2026

The BEVA Congress 2026 is the highlight of the equine veterinary calendar, drawing thousands of practitioners, specialists, researchers, and industry leaders every year.

Dates: 9-12 September 2026
Venue: ICC Birmingham, UK
Theme: Yet to be announced

If you want to be the first to know when BEVA 2026 congress tickets are released or know when all the international equine conventions and congress are held worldwide, simply register your name and email below.

Be the First in Line: Worldwide Equine Event Dates & Early Bird Pricing

Delegates can expect:

World-class lectures from leading international speakers.
Practical workshops and wet labs covering clinical skills.
Parallel streams so attendees can tailor their learning.
Networking and social events that make BEVA Congress as memorable as it is educational.

Across three intensive days, attendees can expect more than 90 hours of live and on-demand CPD, spanning virtually every area of equine clinical practice.

The 2026 programme combines expert-led lectures with interactive panel discussions, debates, and hands-on workshops, delivering evidence-based insights tailored to all career stages – from recent graduates to experienced practice owners and senior clinicians.

Alongside the educational programme, the British Equine Veterinary Association exhibition space continues to grow, bringing together a diverse range of leading suppliers, service providers, and referral centres from across the equine industry.

This exhibition offers a valuable opportunity to connect directly with key organisations, explore emerging technologies and treatments, and build professional relationships that support both clinical development and career progression.

The BEVA Congress is renowned for its vibrant social programme, beginning with the BEVA President’s Welcome Reception.

Super early bird registration for BEVA Congress 2026 is soon to open. All tickets include entry to the full lecture programme, exhibition halls, and unrestricted access to the virtual Congress platform. What is super handy is that the delegates will also be able to revisit all recorded content until March 2027.

For BEVA members, super early bird pricing for a three-day pass is around £550 for veterinarians and around £150 for veterinary nurses, with discounted rates available for recent graduates (within three years of qualifying) and those earning under £25,000 annually.

Single-day passes and practice passes are also available. Super early bird pricing closes normally closes at the end of May.

For vets outside the United Kingdom, BEVA Congress is the gateway into Europe’s equine veterinary community – a chance to benchmark practice standards, explore the latest innovations, and bring back new knowledge to their own clinics.

Digital and On-Demand Education Through BEVA

Alongside its in-person events, the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) continues to expand its commitment to flexible, on-demand education, recognising the realities of modern equine practice.

A major strength of BEVA Congress is its integrated virtual Congress platform, which allows delegates to access recorded lectures and educational content well beyond the live event itself.

For BEVA Congress 2026, registered delegates will be able to revisit all recorded sessions until March 2027, ensuring learning can take place around on-call rotas, clinical workloads, and time zone differences.

This digital access is particularly valuable for:

Equine vets unable to attend every session in person
International delegates travelling from outside the UK
Mixed and ambulatory practitioners balancing CPD with clinical demands

By combining live delivery with extended on-demand access, BEVA ensures that Congress education remains inclusive, practical, and usable – not just during the event, but long after it has finished.

This hybrid approach reflects BEVA’s broader commitment to accessible, high-quality continuing professional development, allowing equine veterinarians to engage with world-class education in a way that fits real clinical life.

Why BEVA Matters to Every Equine Vet

Even if you are not based in Britain, the British Equine Veterinary Association offers:

Access to cutting-edge CPD and research journals.
Opportunities to attend BEVA Congress at discounted Affiliate rates.
A voice in global equine veterinary policy and welfare debates.
A chance to connect with a worldwide community of equine practitioners.

For equine veterinarians worldwide, the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) remains a trusted reference point for education, standards, and professional leadership.

Join Our Community

We already have a strong community of British equine veterinarians among our The Equine Practice Company subscribers, alongside colleagues from USA, Australia, Germany, South Africa, and beyond.

If you would like to join this network, meet like-minded professionals, and connect with the wider equine veterinary community, now is the perfect time to get involved.

Together with BEVA, you’ll gain access to world-class education, global collaboration, and a community committed to advancing equine medicine.

This article was prepared by the team at The Equine Practice Company, which supports equine veterinarians worldwide through advanced clinical education, CPD programmes, and long-form professional training.