Avonvale Equine Practice

Avonvale Equine Practice 100% Equine Veterinary Practice offering clinic and ambulatory services with a team of experienced, dedicated and compassionate vets 24 hours per day.

Welcome to Avonvale Equine Practice. We are committed to providing high quality veterinary care for horses, ponies and donkeys. Our veterinary and nursing teams have a broad range of equine expertise and enthusiasm and are always available for advice. Based in Ratley, nr Banbury we cover a vast area including Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Leicestershire and the West Midlands. Conven

iently located near the M40 junction 12 we have a fully equipped surgical facility as well as up to date mobile diagnostic equipment. We offer free zone visits for routine appointments.

☀️☀️ Summer Fun Photo Competition ☀️☀️ We've had some fabulous photos sent to us but definitely need more! Here's a f...
09/07/2025

☀️☀️ Summer Fun Photo Competition ☀️☀️

We've had some fabulous photos sent to us but definitely need more! Here's a few we have already received.

Why not get involved - you've got until Sunday (we've extended the deadline) - send us your summer fun photos for a chance to win some Avonvale goodies. Either put the photos in comments or email: [email protected].

We'll pick an overall winner who will win our Avonvale Goodie Bundle - you can choose either a high viz jacket or saddle cloth along with all the other goodies. We'll also choose a runner-up who will also receive some prizes too.

Please note, we will be using the images shared on our social media and in our newsletter. We will announce the winners on our Facebook and Instagram pages - BEWARE OF ANY SCAMS - DO NOT FOLLOW ANY LINKS IF YOU ARE MESSAGED.

⭐⭐ Monthly Theme continued - Chronic Pain ⭐⭐Why is chronic pain important?Pain is a very important consideration for a...
07/07/2025

⭐⭐ Monthly Theme continued - Chronic Pain ⭐⭐

Why is chronic pain important?

Pain is a very important consideration for all animal owners, not just horse owners, freedom from pain is an essential part of the welfare commitments we make when taking ownership of an animal.

Chronic pain is an increasingly common issue to manage in equines, largely due to advances in veterinary medicine meaning that our equine friends are able to live and be healthy for longer.

Next Monday we will cover signs/causes of pain. If you have any concerns regarding pain or pain management with your equine, give us a call on 01295 670501.

☀️☀️ Summer Fun Photo Competition ☀️☀️It's Competition Time and we have some fabulous Avonvale branded goodies to give...
06/07/2025

☀️☀️ Summer Fun Photo Competition ☀️☀️

It's Competition Time and we have some fabulous Avonvale branded goodies to give away! We want to see your 'Summer Fun' photos - what have you been up to recently whilst the sun has been shining and the cold dark winter months are long gone.

Let's see your lovely photos in our comments, but you'll need to like and share our post too. Tag a friend who you think may also like to enter - we want to see as many photos as possible. Be quick - the deadline is next Friday 11th July.

We'll pick an overall winner who will win our Avonvale Goodie Bundle - you can choose either a high viz jacket or saddle cloth along with all the other goodies. We'll also choose a runner-up who will also receive some prizes too.

Please note, we will be using the images shared on our social media and in our newsletter. We will announce the winners on our Facebook and Instagram pages - BEWARE OF ANY SCAMS - DO NOT FOLLOW ANY LINKS IF YOU ARE MESSAGED.

A lovely start to the day with this c**t foal. Mum and foal doing very well, enjoying the sunshine.
03/07/2025

A lovely start to the day with this c**t foal. Mum and foal doing very well, enjoying the sunshine.

⭐⭐Heatstroke – Part 2 - Recognising the signs ⭐⭐Following on from our last post, knowing the signs of heatstroke and wh...
02/07/2025

⭐⭐Heatstroke – Part 2 - Recognising the signs ⭐⭐

Following on from our last post, knowing the signs of heatstroke and what to do is extremely important.

Key signs of heatstroke include:

👉 Restlessness or Lethargy: The horse may be excessively restless or, conversely, unusually dull and listless.
👉 Rapid Breathing and Pulse: Breathing may be rapid, shallow, and panting, and the pulse may be rapid or weak.
👉 Excessive Sweating: The horse may sweat excessively, even if it's not working hard.
•👉 Muscle Spasms: Muscle spasms or tremors may be noticeable.
👉 Stumbling Gait: The horse may have difficulty maintaining balance and may stumble or walk erratically.
👉 Collapse: In severe cases, the horse may collapse.

Treatment:

👉 Call a Vet: If you suspect heatstroke, call a veterinarian immediately.
👉 Cool the Horse: Move the horse to a shaded, cool area and apply cold water (not iced) to the body, focusing on areas like the head, neck, and legs.
👉 Provide Water: Offer plenty of cool, fresh water, but avoid giving too much too quickly.
👉 Monitor Temperature: Use a re**al thermometer to monitor the horse's temperature and continue cooling until it's below 38°C.

If you have any questions, please contact reception either by phone: 01295 670501 or email: [email protected]

⭐⭐ Heatstroke - Post 1 - Prevention ⭐⭐It’s important to remember that Heatstroke, also known as hyperthermia, is a ser...
02/07/2025

⭐⭐ Heatstroke - Post 1 - Prevention ⭐⭐

It’s important to remember that Heatstroke, also known as hyperthermia, is a serious condition in horses where their internal body temperature becomes dangerously high.

Heatstroke Prevention:

👉 Provide Shade and Ventilation: Ensure horses have access to shade and adequate ventilation in stables or pastures.
👉 Access to Fresh Water: Offer constant access to clean, cool water, possibly supplemented with electrolytes.
👉 Limit Exercise During Hot Hours: Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest parts of the day.
👉 Gradual Acclimation: Gradually acclimate horses to hot weather over several weeks to allow their bodies to adapt.
👉 Cooling Measures: Use fans, misters, or hosing with cool water to help horses cool down, especially after exercise.
👉 Soaked Hay and Wet Feeds: Consider soaking hay and offering wet feeds to help horses cool down.

Causes of Heatstroke:

👉 Hot and humid weather. High humidity prevents sweat from evaporating, hindering the horse's natural cooling mechanisms.
👉 Strenuous Exercise, working a horse hard, especially in hot conditions, can cause the body temperature to rise rapidly.
👉 Dehydration and Electrolyte Imbalance. Dehydration and a lack of electrolytes (salts) can impair the body's ability to regulate temperature.
👉 Other Factors include overweight horses, horses with thick coats, and those in poorly ventilated trailers/lorries are also at higher risk.

Follow along for part 2 – How to recognise the signs!

⭐⭐ New Monthly Theme - Chronic Pain ⭐⭐This month we will be looking at chronic pain in our equines, following with som...
01/07/2025

⭐⭐ New Monthly Theme - Chronic Pain ⭐⭐

This month we will be looking at chronic pain in our equines, following with some information on causes, signs and treatment of chronic pain.

Follow this series each Monday and if you have any concerns or questions, don't hesitate to pick up the phone and call us on 01295 670501.

⭐⭐ Monthly Theme continued on Competition Horse Management ⭐⭐ Physiotherapy and Injury Prevention 🐴 It is not possibl...
30/06/2025

⭐⭐ Monthly Theme continued on Competition Horse Management ⭐⭐

Physiotherapy and Injury Prevention

🐴 It is not possible to prevent all injuries, but there are steps you can take to minimize risk and recovery time.

🐴 Our previous posts have talked about fitness, feeding and farriery – these are the most important things to get right to prevent injuries and ailments.

🐴 Regardless of what discipline you compete in your horse (and you!) should be balanced, supple and flexible. This is best achieved with a combination of ground work, ridden schooling, regular physiotherapy and riding lessons.

🐴 Whatever level you ride at, having regular lessons will help you and your horse remain in balance.

🐴 Regular physiotherapy sessions will help maintain muscular health and aid as an early warning system for problems. If your horse repeatedly has tight areas, a veterinary examination is warranted.

🐴 Photos show Sara Chittleburgh (Manual Body Worker) treating different horses, helping to maintain suppleness and flexibility.

🐴 On the day of competition, cold hosing your horses legs and washing them off properly will ensure adequate cooling of limbs, joints, tendons and muscles. It is important to carry water to competition. If you are using ice boots or clay, ensure these are removed promptly and washed off thoroughly.

If you have any concerns regarding your horse, or any questions about competing, fitness, foot balance etc., please get in touch to speak to one of our vets – 01295 670501.

Always happy to support our local event 🐴
28/06/2025

Always happy to support our local event 🐴

⭐⭐ Keeping cool in the hot weather! ⭐⭐We're all looking forward to enjoying this heatwave with our horses, here are so...
25/06/2025

⭐⭐ Keeping cool in the hot weather! ⭐⭐

We're all looking forward to enjoying this heatwave with our horses, here are some top tips to make the weather more enjoyable for you and your equine friends!

👉 Water - ensure a plentiful supply of clean water, extra buckets may be required to be sure!
👉 Shade - if your horse is enjoying the weater from the field, ensure adequate shade is available.
👉 Suncream - don't forget to put some factor 50 on those pink noses!
👉 Exercise - try to avoid hard work during the hottest times of the day, once worked cool your horse off thoroughly with plenty of water!
👉 Flies - keep your equine friends topped up with fly repellents, or use fly rugs and masks to help prevent fly bother.

Address

Ratley Lodge, Ratley
Banbury
OX156DT

Telephone

+441295670501

Website

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