Former head of the UK Field Army, Lieutenant General Sir Barney White-Spunner, has been appointed Executive Chairman of the Countryside Alliance and Director of the Countryside Alliance Foundation.

His role comes into effect from 9 February, and he takes on overall responsibility for the organisation.

Country supporter

Barney will be based in the Alliance’s London Headquarters. Kate Hoey MP, will remain Chairman of the Board of the Countryside Alliance.

The team at Horse & Country is celebrating after hearing the news that we've been nominated for two Equestrian Social Media Awards - Best Twitter and Best Broadcaster.

Vote for us 

While it's great to make the shortlist, it would be even better if we could win! We'd love to retain our 'Best Twitter' crown, following our win in 2011, and we'd really like to be awarded 'Best Broadcaster' as well. 

If you can take a second to vote for us in category 3 and 19, we'd be really grateful.

A recent report from the RSPCA says that the way that some dogs are bred today is having a huge impact on their health and welfare

Campaign launched

The RSPC have launched their ‘Born to suffer campaign’, which seeks an end to the breeding of dogs based on looks.

It's not just show dogs that may be suffering. Plenty of pedigree dogs never appear in shows, but many are bred by breeders who want to produce show-winning animals, and who sell their surplus dogs as pets.

Staff at The Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth, Devon were shocked to discover three of their donation boxes were seriously damaged by thieves, who then made off with donations from members of the public.

Damages and theft

The theft occurred in the early hours of Tuesday 3rd January, with the three donation boxes reduced to rubble. In their attempts to access the donations, the thieves ripped the stone donkeys from the top of the boxes and smashed the supporting brickwork.

There's lots of great new content to look forward to watching on Horse & Country in January. We bring you the UK premiere of Unstable, a reality show set in a livery yard in Canada, and other brand new shows include The Story of Agriculture, Wonder Dogs and travel series Equitrekking.

One little donkey will have a bright Christmas after being cared for by World Horse Welfare.

Little donkey

Alice, a two month-old donkey foal, and her mum Eliza were found in the summer abandoned on unfenced wasteland near a busy road in the Dartford area. They had no water and Eliza was underweight with long feet and rain scald.

Battersea Dogs & Cats Home is advising families to take special care with pet dogs as the Christmas holiday period is sadly a notorious time for dog attacks around the home.

Christmas is coming, and the team at H&C is counting down the days until 25 December!

TV highlights

We've got some great programming on channel 280 over the festive period, to help you while away the hours until Santa arrives. 

Check out some of the highlights in this video:

H&C's fishing expert Russ Evans brings you the second of a two-part series explaining how to use rigs, the best baits and tackle tips.