Finnish Association of Equine Veterinarians (FAVP) | Role, History & Global Links
The Finnish Association of Equine Veterinarians (FAVP) represents horse practitioners in Finland as part of the Finnish Veterinary Practitioners’ Association (Suomen Eläinlääkäripraktikot ry, SEP). Since its founding in 1964, SEP has provided a home for veterinarians working in clinical practice, and its equine section (hevosjaosto) gives horse vets a strong platform for education, advocacy, and collaboration.
Today, FAVP connects equine veterinarians across Finland with continuing professional development (CPD), international representation, and a community dedicated to improving equine health and welfare.
A Brief History
The Finnish Veterinary Practitioners’ Association (SEP) was founded on 10 April 1964 to support clinical veterinarians in Finland. Over time, special interest groups were created within SEP to represent different areas of practice, including small animals, production animals, and horses.
The equine section (hevosjaosto) emerged as a dedicated branch for horse veterinarians. This structure allows Finnish equine vets to benefit from SEP’s broad membership network while also having a professional identity focused entirely on horses.
What FAVP Does for Equine Vets
FAVP provides equine practitioners with:
- Education & CPD: Courses, congress sessions, and training tailored to equine practice.
- Professional community: A network of veterinarians committed to horse health, spanning local practices and specialist centres.
- International access: Membership links directly into the Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations (FEEVA) and the World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA), ensuring Finnish vets are part of global conversations on welfare, medicine use, and clinical standards.
- National representation: As part of SEP, the equine section gives horse vets a voice in Finnish veterinary policy and practice development.
Conferences & Events
Equine veterinarians in Finland benefit from both national and Nordic events:
- FAVP National Congress – held annually in Helsinki, with equine-focused lectures and training alongside small animal and production animal sessions.
- Nordic Equine Veterinary Conference (NEVC): Hosted with support from FAVP, this event brings together equine specialists from across Scandinavia for lectures, workshops, and networking.
These events give Finnish equine vets access to the latest research and techniques, while also building connections with colleagues across the Nordic region and beyond.
International Collaboration
The FAVP equine section is part of a strong global network:
- Through FEEVA, Finnish equine vets collaborate with European colleagues on issues such as antimicrobial stewardship, equine welfare, and professional standards.
- Through WEVA, they gain access to global continuing education opportunities and congresses in regions where access to equine CPD is limited.
This also creates a link to BEVA (UK), which works with national associations like FAVP through FEEVA. Members of FAVP may be eligible for BEVA Affiliate Membership, which provides discounted access to BEVA’s journals, CPD library, webinars, and BEVA Congress rates.
Learn about BEVA Affiliate Membership →
Why FAVP Matters to Equine Vets
For equine veterinarians in Finland, FAVP offers:
- A professional identity within SEP focused on equine practice.
- Access to world-class CPD at both national and Nordic levels.
- Representation in both Finnish policy discussions and global veterinary organisations.
- A supportive community that bridges daily practice and international collaboration.
Join Our Community
We already have a strong community of Finnish equine veterinarians among our subscribers, alongside colleagues from Denmark, Germany, Sweden, 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 FAVP, you’ll gain access to professional support, education, and a global community committed to advancing equine medicine.
FAQ’S
What is FAVP?
The Finnish Association of Equine Veterinarians (FAVP) is the equine section of the Finnish Veterinary Practitioners’ Association (SEP).
When was SEP founded?
SEP was founded on 10 April 1964.
Does FAVP connect internationally?
Yes, FAVP links to both FEEVA and WEVA, giving members access to international education and collaboration.
What events does FAVP support?
FAVP is involved in the FAVP National Congress in Helsinki and the Nordic Equine Veterinary Conference
