About us
The Irish Equine Centre is an independent organisation whose aim is to protect the wellbeing of Ireland’s horse population.
It serves the overall interest of the Irish equine industry by its unceasing vigilance in seeking to maintain Ireland's "low disease status".
The Irish Equine Centre provides laboratory services for the diagnosis, management and prevention of diseases of horses.
The Irish Equine Foundation Ltd - trading as the Irish Equine Centre - is a registered charity. Its services are always available and an emergency service is provided outside normal business hours.
History and Importance
The Irish Equine Centre was established in 1983 by Sean M. Collins and other senior figures in the Irish horse industry.
The Irish Equine Centre was established in 1983 by Sean M. Collins and other senior figures in the Irish horse industry.
Since that time it has been an invaluable support service, never more so than throughout such times of crisis as the threat of Equine Infectious Anaemia in 2006.
Over 14,000 samples were tested at the Centre in January 2007 alone as the industry and the Department of Agriculture and Food fought to make sure the disease was contained effectively.
Funding
The Irish Equine Centre is part funded through the fees that it charges for its diagnostic services; through a grant from Horse Racing Ireland; by way of an allocation from the HRI Foal Levy; through contributions from Weatherbys Ireland; via contract research, teaching and research grants.
It also seeks to raise money through fundraising events such as the Irish Equine Centre Golf Classic, private donations and legacies.
Clients and Services
The Irish Equine Centre works closely with professionals across the entire equine and agricultural spectrum. Over 600 veterinary practices throughout Ireland and overseas use the services of the centre on a regular basis.
The Irish Equine Centre works closely with professionals across the entire equine and agricultural spectrum. Over 600 veterinary practices throughout Ireland and overseas use the services of the centre on a regular basis.
Staff at the Centre also work closely with the Irish Department of Agriculture and Food.
An extensive range of diagnostic services are provided and supported through five units:
An extensive range of diagnostic services are provided and supported through five units:
- Clinical Pathology
- Pathology
- Microbiology
- Virology
- Quality Assurance and Administration
The Board, Management and Staff
The Board of the Irish Equine Centre represents the providers of funds. The heads of the five units provide the executive management of the Centre.
The Chair of the Management Committee is rotated on a six monthly basis.
The staff of the Centre - in collaboration with colleagues in Ireland and abroad - have initiated and participated in research on the incidence, causes, prevention and treatment of equine disease.
The staff of the Centre - in collaboration with colleagues in Ireland and abroad - have initiated and participated in research on the incidence, causes, prevention and treatment of equine disease.
Their development and assessment of new diagnostic techniques is brought to the attention of the international scientific community and the horse industry through publications and presentations.
The Irish Equine Centre is also actively involved in education. Its staff provides continuing education for veterinary surgeons, teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students and seminars for horse industry groups.
The Irish Equine Centre is also actively involved in education. Its staff provides continuing education for veterinary surgeons, teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students and seminars for horse industry groups.
Good Laboratory Practice
The Irish Equine Centre has been awarded a Statement of Compliance for Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD).
The GLP contract studies conducted on behalf of pharmaceutical companies are a core activity of the Irish Equine Centre and are necessary for registration of new and existing veterinary medicines and vaccines.The Irish Equine Centre has been awarded a Statement of Compliance for Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) by the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD).