Equine services
Explore our trusted equine veterinary services
Based in Hull, our experienced ambulatory equine team can offer advice and support in all areas of your horses’ care.
From routine visits and surgeries to our 24-hour out of hours service for emergencies, we are on hand to support your horses, ponies and donkeys throughout their lifetime.
- Routine and emergency visits
- Vaccinations
- In-house laboratory testing
- Routine dentistry
- Standing castrations
- In-house diagnostics
Routine and emergency visits
We know the importance of getting out to the yard to see your horses, and are available from 8:30 to 16:30, Monday to Friday, to do just that.
While out we can deal with a range of issues, including lameness, respiratory problems, skin problems and wounds, medical work-ups and other minor procedures. If a more complicated procedure or treatment is needed, you can speak to one of our vets to make the necessary arrangements.
If you find yourself in need of veterinary assistance outside of our routine hours, we offer a 24-hour emergency service to ensure that you are always supported.
That means that one of our vets is always on call should you need them. Just call your usual number and you will be redirected to our on-call vet, who will be with you as soon as they can manage.
Vaccinations
It is crucial that you keep on top of your horse’s vaccinations, both for your horse’s health and for the safety of others. It is a requirement that your horse is fully vaccinated for many competitions and shows.
The most common diseases for which we regularly vaccinate are equine influenza and tetanus.
Equine Influenza (Flu)
Flu is a viral infection that can affect any horse but is most common in young horses. The virus causes similar symptoms to human flu: fever, nasal discharge and coughing. Affected animals can become very sick and outbreaks, particularly amongst unvaccinated animals, are not uncommon. Most sporting bodies dictate that horses are vaccinated against flu. A primary course is given, with booster vaccines following, often prescribed by governing bodies.
Tetanus
All horses, ponies and donkeys should be vaccinated against tetanus. It is caused by a bacteria found in soil or in faeces, and enters the horse’s system through open wounds. It can result in muscle paralysis which is often fatal. Vaccination for tetanus is very effective and cases of tetanus in vaccinated horses are incredibly rare.
Other vaccines
Equine herpesvirus is a viral infection that can cause respiratory disease similar to flu and can also result in neurological disease and abortion. Vaccinations for herpes virus are most effective when all horses on a premises are vaccinated.
Rotavirus is a common viral infection resulting in diarrhoea and weight loss in foals. Vaccinations are effective in preventing and reducing the prevalence of this condition and is usually most appropriate on studs or on premises where cases of rotavirus have been diagnosed in the past.
In-house laboratory testing
Our in-house lab allows us to carry out certain tests rapidly and deliver results in practice. These tests include worm egg counts, urinalysis and skin scrapes to check for parasites.
Lab work is an essential aspect of equine veterinary work and helps us to diagnose a wide variety of diseases and illnesses. Once we have processed results in practice, our experienced vets will interpret them for you and inform you whether next steps are needed.
All other tests are sent to specialist laboratories by direct courier to allow for quick and accurate results.
Routine dentistry
Your horse’s dental health is a crucial aspect of their overall care, and if allowed to deteriorate, it can lead to serious ramifications.
A horse’s teeth are constantly emerging from the gum at a rate of about 3mm per year. In the wild, the horse’s diet will see the teeth worn away at a similar rate, but this is often not the case with our domestic animals. Our horses also live a lot longer, meaning this situation can be exacerbated.
Sharp, overgrown or unhealthy teeth can cause discomfort for horses which lead to unpredictable behaviour and difficulty feeding. If a horse cannot chew and break down its food properly before swallowing, this can cause weight loss, choking and colic.
Our vets are experienced at dealing with dental issues in horses, and will assess the condition of your horse’s mouth during consultations. In the case of full exploration, some horse’s may require sedation.
We can carry out a number of procedures to correct issues, including filing sharp edges and overgrowths with a rasp, flushing diastema and removing wolf teeth.
If you have any questions about your horse’s dental health, please call the practice and speak to a member of the team.
Standing castrations
Castration, the surgical removal of a horse’s testicles, is a routine surgical procedure that is usually quick and straightforward.
Castrating a male horse can have medical and behavioral benefits, and should be considered unless you are planning on breeding your horse. Stallions can be difficult to manage, aggressive and territorial, and may need specialist stabling.
The operation can be performed at any age as long as the testicles have descended, and at any time of the year, although recovery can be best in spring or autumn, to avoid flies in summer and mud in winter.
We offer standing castration under sedation, which we believe to be the preferable method of treatment, as it avoids the risk of general anaesthetic. However, it does require both that your horse has a reasonable temperament, and that it is big enough for our vet to work beneath.
Castration under general anaesthetic may be a better option in small horses and ponies, or with very nervous horses.
We tend to leave the wounds open to allow them to drain, meaning it is essential that the horse is kept in a clean environment after the operation.
If you have any questions about castration, please contact the team.
In-house diagnostics
We have a range of mobile equipment which we can bring with us to your yard for the swift diagnosis of any potential issues your horse may be dealing with.
This is particularly useful in lameness investigations, as well as in the investigation of a range of illnesses and injuries.
Radiography
X-rays are essential in lameness investigations, using small amounts of radiation to produce images of bones and joints. Conditions which x-rays can highlight include foot imbalance, arthritis, laminitis and fractures.
We also use x-rays to assess dental and sinus conditions, and neck and back health, although x-rays are not as useful when it comes to soft tissue injuries.
We have a full portable x-ray machine, allowing us to investigate your horse in the comfort of your yard and to access results immediately.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging involves the use of soundwaves to produce images, and is useful for assessing soft tissue such as tendons and ligaments, as well as organs.
We also use ultrasound scanning to assist in pregnancy diagnosis and other reproductive conditions.
Respiratory endoscopy
This involves passing a camera up through the nose into the airways, enabling us to diagnose problems and issues within the respiratory tract, as well as taking diagnostic sampling as needed.