Racetrack Veterinary Services

15/01/2025

🌟 Keep your horse in peak condition with the Equilume Pro Light Mask! 🐴✨ - ideally fit your mask by 21st of January to maintain their Summer coat!

Transform your horse from the inside out whether stabled, travelling, or at pasture. Enhance coat condition and muscle development as well as better their trainability and well-being.

Transform your horse’s performance and well-being with the Pro Light Mask today!

Use code BLUELIGHT at checkout for FREE Express Shipping within Australia by 31st January 2025. For more information check out our website, send us a DM or call our office on 03 5975 6586

12/01/2025

09/01/2025

Fun Fact Friday!🔬🐴⁠

Did you know the average stride length for a Racehorse is 20 feet compared with a normal horse stride of 12 feet.

08/01/2025

What should I do if my horse is colicing whilst I wait for the vet?

It's often hard to write out a list of dos and don'ts when it comes to colic, unfortunately or for some fortunately each horse will show signs and symptoms of colic differently, their bodies will react differently and therefore it will vary in servetry.

Monitoring your horse's vital signs and condition whilst you wait is extremely important, this will streamline the process upon the veterinarians arrival.

Do you know the normal ranges for your horse's vital signs?
Your horse's vital signs should sit between the following ranges:

Temperature: 37.0 - 38.5 degrees
Heart Rate/Pulse: 28 - 44 beats per minute
Respiratory Rate: 10 - 24 breaths per minute
Mucous Membranes: Moist and Pale Pink
Capillary Refill Time: Less than 2 seconds
Hydration: Skin pinched in the neck should snap back in less than one second, a prolonged skin tent can indicate dehydration.
Appetite: A sudden reduction in appetite usually indicates ill health.

It is important to note temperature, pulse and respiration can be affected by exercise, excitement, size, age and environmental factors.

Should you require a veterinarian, we can be contacted 03 5975 6586.

04/01/2025

04/01/2025

With the weather heating up, here are some tips from our team to help keep your horses cool. 🥵

What do you do to keep your horses cool over Summer? Share your tips below 👇🏼

**🌞 Keeping Our Equine Friends Cool During Hot Weather! 🐴🌿**

With temperatures on the rise, it’s essential to keep our horses comfortable and healthy.

Here are some crucial tips for caring for your horse during hot weather:

1. **Hydration is Key**:
- Ensure your horse has constant access to fresh, cool water. Encourage drinking by adding electrolyte solutions if needed, especially after exercise.

2. **Shade and Shelter**:
- Provide shaded areas, whether natural or created, where horses can escape the sun. Use run-in sheds or trees to help them stay cool.

3. **Adjust Feeding Times**:
- Feed hay during the cooler parts of the day (early morning or late evening) to prevent overheating from digestion during peak heat hours.

4. **Monitor Body Temperature**:
- Keep an eye on your horse’s temperature, respiration rate, and heart rate. A normal temp is around 37-38.5°C
Call our Vet on Call on 📞 5975 6586 if you notice any signs of heat stress or illness.

5. **Limit Exercise**:
- Avoid intense workouts during peak heat. Opt for early morning or late evening for riding and exercise.

6. **Cooling Techniques**:
- Use fans, misters, or even a cool sponge bath to help lower body temperature. Make sure to focus on areas with large blood vessels, like the neck and legs. Scrape off excess water and re-hose as required.

7. **Signs of Heat Stress**:
- Watch for excessive sweating, rapid breathing, distress, or lethargy. Immediate action is crucial if you see these symptoms. Do you know what your horses ‘normal’ vital signs are?

8. **Fly Control**:
- Keep your horse comfortable from pesky flies and insects, which can be more active in the heat.
Use fly sheets, fly masks, and repellents as necessary.
Check out our online store for some great option.

Remember, safety comes first for our four-legged companions. Please consult with our Vets if you have any concerns and to ensure your horse stays happy and healthy this summer!



Feel free to share your tips for keeping horses cool in the comments below! 🐎💕

04/01/2025

**🌞 Keeping Our Equine Friends Cool During Hot Weather! 🐴🌿**

With temperatures on the rise, it’s essential to keep our horses comfortable and healthy.

Here are some crucial tips for caring for your horse during hot weather:

1. **Hydration is Key**:
- Ensure your horse has constant access to fresh, cool water. Encourage drinking by adding electrolyte solutions if needed, especially after exercise.

2. **Shade and Shelter**:
- Provide shaded areas, whether natural or created, where horses can escape the sun. Use run-in sheds or trees to help them stay cool.

3. **Adjust Feeding Times**:
- Feed hay during the cooler parts of the day (early morning or late evening) to prevent overheating from digestion during peak heat hours.

4. **Monitor Body Temperature**:
- Keep an eye on your horse’s temperature, respiration rate, and heart rate. A normal temp is around 37-38.5°C
Call our Vet on Call on 📞 5975 6586 if you notice any signs of heat stress or illness.

5. **Limit Exercise**:
- Avoid intense workouts during peak heat. Opt for early morning or late evening for riding and exercise.

6. **Cooling Techniques**:
- Use fans, misters, or even a cool sponge bath to help lower body temperature. Make sure to focus on areas with large blood vessels, like the neck and legs. Scrape off excess water and re-hose as required.

7. **Signs of Heat Stress**:
- Watch for excessive sweating, rapid breathing, distress, or lethargy. Immediate action is crucial if you see these symptoms. Do you know what your horses ‘normal’ vital signs are?

8. **Fly Control**:
- Keep your horse comfortable from pesky flies and insects, which can be more active in the heat.
Use fly sheets, fly masks, and repellents as necessary.
Check out our online store for some great option.

Remember, safety comes first for our four-legged companions. Please consult with our Vets if you have any concerns and to ensure your horse stays happy and healthy this summer!



Feel free to share your tips for keeping horses cool in the comments below! 🐎💕

03/01/2025

🐴✨ New Year, New Goals! ✨🐴

As we welcome 2025, it’s the perfect time to set some new goals for you and your horses. Whether your goal is big or small, we’re here to help keep your horse happy, healthy, and ready to achieve their best.

Here are a few goal-setting tips for a great year:

- Review your horse’s nutrition plan to support their activity level.
- Stay on track with vaccines, dental checks, and routine worming.
- Build a realistic training plan that prioritizes both fun and progress.
- Take time to celebrate the little wins along the way!

Let’s make 2025 a year to remember!

31/12/2024

🐴🎆✨ New Year’s Eve is here! While we’re excited to ring in the new year, we want to remind all horse owners to keep our beloved equine friends safe during any fireworks celebrations that may be happening tonight! 🎆✨🐴

Here are some tips to help keep your horse calm and secure:

1. **Secure Their Space**: Ensure that your horse is in a safe, familiar environment. If they’re in a barn, check that all doors and windows are secure to prevent any escapes.

2. **Provide Comfort**: Create a cozy, quiet space with their favorite blankets or toys. A buddy system can help, too—horses often feel more secure with a friend nearby.

3. **Reduce Noise**: Use calming music or white noise machines to help muffle the sounds of the fireworks outside.
If a horse is particularly anxious, consider using ear muffs to dampen sounds.

4. **Avoid Additional Stress**: If possible, try to keep handling and riding to a minimum before the celebrations to reduce stress.

5. **Consider Calming Aids**: Feel free to contact our Vets about natural calming supplements or medications if your horse tends to be particularly anxious during loud noises.

We’re here to help! If you have concerns leading up to your local festivities, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Contact us on 03 5975 6586

Wishing everyone a safe and happy New Year! 🎉💖

29/12/2024

It’s nearly Magic Millions Yearling Sales time.
7th - 13th January on the Gold Coast

Whats on your wish list this sales season?

29/12/2024

No one more deserving 👏

For the final time in 2024, we said thank you with the Mornington Strappers' Prize.

Kudos to Racetrack Veterinary Services for their continued support of the lifeblood of the racing industry - stable staff.

28/12/2024

26/12/2024

The harder you work the luckier you get! ☘️

23/12/2024

Wishing all our clients a very Happy Christmas and all the best for a great year in 2025!

20/12/2024

Fun Fact Friday!🔬🐴⁠

Humans have 8,000-10,000 taste buds, whereas horses have approximately 25,000 taste buds!

19/12/2024

Is your horse on regular medication?⁠
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If so, this is a friendly reminder to ensure you have an adequate amount of his or her medication to last the duration of the busy Christmas and New Year period.⁠
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Please get in contact with our office 03 5975 6586 if you wish to stock up over the Christmas & New Year period!

19/12/2024

What is a bandage bow?⁠
⁠
A bandage bow is the term used to refer to inflammation of the tissues surrounding the flexor tendons due to application of a bandage being applied too tight or in some cases a bandage which has slipped or rolled after being applied. ⁠
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In mild cases, only subcutaneous tissue will be involved. On removal of the bandage and the compression relieved, the tendon region may swell, leading to a ‘bowed’ appearance. Unfortunately, in some severe cases, the excessive pressure from the bandage may damage the tendon itself, due to impaired blood flow. ⁠
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It is important to use gentle but firm pressure that is neither too tight or too loose when applying a bandage. The tightness should be consistent throughout the entire wrap. Reducing the chance of a pressure spot forming underneath the wrap. When applying a bandage, the aim should always be firm, even pressure along the entire length of the limb. It is important to ask questions if you're unsure on how to correctly bandage your horse's legs to avoid injury.

13/12/2024

Jumps racing will continue in Victoria in 2025 but with changes including reductions to meetings and prizemoney