The Equine Practice

09/01/2025

Harrowing manure in paddocks during Summer is more effective and safer for your horse!
🚜💩🪱☀️

➡️ The heat and UV rays in sunlight during Summer accelerates manure breakdown, helping to kill parasite eggs and larvae (e.g. from strongyle worms).

➡️ In contrast, Spring, Autumn and Winter’s cooler, damp conditions, allow parasites to survive for longer in the environment (6-9 months!)

➡️ In fact, harrowing outside of Summer spreads parasites further across the paddock, increasing the risk of reinfestation when horses graze.

✅ 𝘈𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘶𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨....
It allows nutrients to decompose and enrich the soil in preparation for spring growth. This ensures a healthier, more productive pasture. 🌱

#🐴

06/01/2025

𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗚𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗜𝗧 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗛𝗢𝗥𝗦𝗘’𝗦 𝗘𝗬𝗘𝗦! 👀 Your horse’s eyes are delicate and precious. While it might be tempting to grab an eye medication you have on hand, using the wrong treatment on a sore eye can cause more harm than good, and in some cases, it can even lead to serious complications or permanent damage.

🔍𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗜𝗦 𝗔 𝗩𝗘𝗧 𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗚𝗡𝗢𝗦𝗜𝗦 𝗖𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟?
❎ Not all eye issues are the same, what works for one condition can worsen another.
❎ Some medications, especially those containing steroids, 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗳𝘂𝗹 if there’s an infection or a scratch on the eye, conditions that can only be diagnosed through a 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗲𝘆𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
❎ Eye conditions can deteriorate rapidly - 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆 in initial diagnosis and treatment 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗼𝘂𝘁 treatment for weeks.   
✅ Most eye medication should be 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝟰 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 of opening as they can potentially grow harmful microbes and introduce a fungal infection that may take weeks to resolve.
✅ A proper diagnosis ensures the right treatment to relieve your horse’s discomfort and protect their vision.

🐴𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗟𝗗 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗗𝗢 𝗜𝗡𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗗?
If your horse has a sore or swollen eye, don’t wait! Call your vet for a thorough examination and tailored treatment plan. 💙 Your horse will thank you with bright, happy eyes!

#🐴

03/01/2025

🎉 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥 - 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬!
2025 is here so let’s kick off the year with a 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬!!

For you chance to win this fabulous “Summer Hydration Pack”, simply 𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗥 the 𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 below, 𝗟𝗜𝗞𝗘 & 𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 and you’re in the draw!

➡️ 𝙃𝙊𝙒 𝘾𝘼𝙉 𝙔𝙊𝙐 𝙋𝙍𝙀𝙑𝙀𝙉𝙏 𝘿𝙀𝙃𝙔𝘿𝙍𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 𝙄𝙉 𝙃𝙊𝙍𝙎𝙀𝙎 𝘿𝙐𝙍𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙎𝙐𝙈𝙈𝙀𝙍?☀️
A) Add electrolytes to their feed or water.
B) Provide salt licks.
C) Ensure access to clean water at all times.
D) All of the above.

(𝘋𝘰𝘯'𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦!)

📣 𝗪𝗜𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗗 𝗝𝗔𝗡𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗬 𝟭𝟯𝗧𝗛

𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗗𝗘𝗦 🛍️
1x Camelbak drink bottle
1x Value Plus Electrolyte Paste
1x KER Drink-Up sachet
1x Reusable tote bag
1x Hat

31/12/2024

2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣5️⃣✨🐴

23/12/2024

Dr Christian, Dr Arnie, and all the team at The Equine Practice would like to take this opportunity to say a big thankyou to all our incredible clients and friends, for being the heart of everything we do. 💖

Here’s to a very Merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and another fantastic year of caring for your horses in 2025! 🎄🐴💫

Our Lilydale clinic will be closed on the public holidays but as always we have our 𝟮𝟰 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗬 𝗩𝗘𝗧 on call over the Christmas and New Year break! 𝟭𝟯𝟬𝟬 𝟳𝟲𝟮 𝟮𝟮𝟰 - 𝟬𝟰𝟯𝟰 𝟯𝟳𝟴 𝟰𝟲𝟯

04/12/2024

Dr Christian and Dr Arnie looking sharp in our new “turquoise” hats 🧢🕺

Don’t forget to ask for your 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 hat at your horse’s next appointment OR pop into the clinic and pick one up!

🖤Black and Turquoise available🩵

01/12/2024

We just had to share this great video! It highlights the ‘carrot bite test’🥕a simple yet effective way to spot signs of EORTH, a painful dental condition in horses. Such valuable advice to help keep our equine friends happy and healthy, definitely worth a watch!🐴🩵

26/11/2024

Our 𝗡𝗘𝗪 𝗛𝗔𝗧𝗦 have arrived in two new fabulous colours! 🩵🖤

Be sure to ask for your 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙀 hat at your horses next consultation! 🧢 (𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘥)

𝘼 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙨:

💜 𝟰𝗖𝗬𝗧𝗘
💛 𝗨𝗟𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗘𝗟𝗗
💙 𝗖𝗘𝗩𝗔
💜 𝗕𝗢𝗩𝗔
🤍 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗛𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗜𝗗 𝗩𝗘𝗧
💚 𝗝𝗢𝗛𝗡𝗦𝗢𝗡’𝗦 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮

21/11/2024

🔥🌾𝗛𝗔𝗬 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗘 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬
While not strictly horse-related, we wanted to share what we think is incredibly useful information from the 𝗖𝗙𝗔 about 𝗛𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆.

With hay-cutting season just around the corner, it’s crucial to understand how to protect your hay and property from fire risks.

Check out the links below for essential tips and advice! One link includes a quick educational video packed with valuable insights.

ℹ️ http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/how-to-prepare-your-property/farms/hay-fire-safety

🎥 https://youtu.be/iIyjiB2pqF4?si=K_PpjejJJ3Vdz3aV

Whether you're cutting or storing hay, this is information you can’t afford to miss!

20/11/2024

🐍 After our recent post about snake bites, many of you asked, “𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙖 𝙩𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙩 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣 𝙗𝙮 𝙖 𝙨𝙣𝙖𝙠𝙚?”

𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘’𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗥 ⬇️

While it might seem helpful, 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱!

➡️ Snake venom spreads through the 𝗹𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝗻𝗼𝘁 the 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺, so restricting blood flow won’t stop it.

➡️ Instead, a tourniquet 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 at the site where it’s applied. Tissue damage occurs due to prolonged lack of oxygen, this can lead to extensive muscle and skin injury. Additionally, once the tourniquet is removed, a sudden rush of trapped venom and toxins into the system can cause further harm.

➡️ In 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 a light pressure bandage might help with swelling, but only in specific situations.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵:
✅ Keep your horse calm and still to slow the venom’s spread.
✅ Contact your vet immediately for expert care, including anti-venom and other effective treatments that are far more effective for treament. 

19/11/2024

🌟Today, we’re shining a spotlight on these 3 incredible men, Dr Christian, Dr Arnie and Dr Simon. Your dedication, skill, and care make such a difference in the lives of our patients and their owners every single day.

We’re so grateful for your hard work, compassion and the passion you bring to The Equine Practice.

Thankyou for everything you do to keep our horses healthy and thriving! 💙

12/11/2024

Heading to Equitana? Don’t miss this exciting 𝗚𝗜𝗩𝗘𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 thanks to our good friends at 𝗩𝗘𝗧 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗 💫

Visit us at 𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝟰𝟭𝟯, fill out an entry form and you’re in the draw to 𝗪𝗜𝗡 a 𝟯𝗞𝗚 tub of 𝗧𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗 valued at $𝟮𝟵𝟮! Total Gold is a complete equine vitamin, mineral and amino acid supplement formulated to support hoof, bone and coat health 💛

🌟𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 entry for everyone!!

Don’t miss your chance to win — see you there!!

11/11/2024

And the winner is….𝗞𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗡 𝗥𝗢𝗦𝗘! 🎉
Thankyou to everyone who participated in our free giveaway!! 📢 Stay tuned for more exciting future giveaways! 💫 (𝗮𝗻𝘀𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗖)

10/11/2024

🌺𝑳𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑾𝒆 𝑭𝒐𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒕🌺

07/11/2024

EQUITANA is just 𝟭 𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗞 𝗔𝗪𝗔𝗬 and we’re gearing up for a fantastic time! Join us at the 𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗣𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝟰𝟭𝟯 for exclusive deals and giveaways!!

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝟰𝗖𝗬𝗧𝗘 💜 with a 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 LUCKY DIP on ALL purchases!

𝗘𝗫𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗩𝗘𝗧 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘀 and a chance to 𝗪𝗜𝗡 a 𝟯𝗞𝗚 𝗧𝗨𝗕 of 𝗧𝗢𝗧𝗔𝗟 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗 🌟

Heading to EQUITANA? Be sure to come by, we’d love to see you!

06/11/2024

🪱Tail rubbing, irritation, discomfort? It might be 𝗣𝗜𝗡𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗦! Swipe through to learn about pinworms and how you can protect your horse! 🔄Share with your horsey friends who would find this info useful! 🐴

04/11/2024

01/11/2024

➡️ 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗧𝗢 𝗪𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 𝗙𝗔𝗕𝗨𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗦 𝗔𝗠𝗠𝗢 𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗞, 𝗝𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗣𝗦:

𝟭: Answer the question below with either
A/B/C/D
𝟮: Tag a friend in the comments and you’re in the draw!

🌟𝗦𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗘 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝗉𝗈𝗌𝗍 𝗍𝗈 𝗒𝗈𝗎𝗋 𝗌𝗍𝗈𝗋𝗒 𝖿𝗈𝗋 an 𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗥𝗔 chance to win!

𝗤𝗨𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:
What is the most reliable way to determine if your horse needs worming?

𝗔: Check if the horse is losing weight
𝗕: Look for worms in the manure
𝗖: Perform a faecal egg count
𝗗: Worm your horse every 8>12 weeks

𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗟𝗨𝗖𝗞 💫
*𝑊𝑖𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑟 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑏𝑒 𝑑𝑟𝑎𝑤𝑛 8𝑡ℎ 𝑁𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟*