Bourton Vale Equine Clinic

30/08/2024

⭐️ Meet Magda ⭐️

Magda first joined the Bourton Vale team in 2007 as a groom. She had been working in Poland prior to this where she gained a qualification in Management and Marketing, with a specialism in Logistics. Magda is an experienced rider and, before leaving Poland, worked as a riding instructor and was a regular on the showjumping circuit. Deciding she needed to get back in the saddle, Magda moved to Newmarket and spent some time breaking in racehorses, before returning to the Cotswolds to work at local racehorse trainers.

Magda thankfully decided to return to us again in 2018 as an Equine Nursing Assistant. Magda’s extensive equine experience in saddle and on the ground means that she has a phenomenal understanding of horses, which is hugely beneficial to us in her role here. She works closely with our vets and their patients to ensure the safety of both. Even the most nervous patients seem to relax when Magda is on the end of the lead rope.

In her spare time, Magda enjoys scuba diving and exploring the UK.

16/08/2024

Today we say a bittersweet goodbye to Ellie 😢

Ellie has finished her 12 month internship with us and has become a familiar friendly face at the clinic for those that have had patients with us. She’s off to pastures new and the horses and ponies (and rhinos!) of Cheshire will be lucky to have her! 🐴

Good luck, Ellie! Don’t forget us too quickly!🍾

14/08/2024

HELP US FIND YOU 🔍🌍

👀 Is your yard hard to find? What3Words gives a unique three word combination to every 3 metre square across the world.

📍 When booking your appointment, you can help us by providing the exact location of the gate, school or stable etc. For example, the entrance to our clinic is ///partners.stall.hiding

What3words.com

12/08/2024

⭐️ Meet Lucy ⭐️

Lucy graduated from Nottingham Vet school and since then, she has worked solely in ambulatory equine practice - predominantly doing stud work - as well as a stint in the southern hemisphere on a busy stud developing her main area of interest; equine reproduction. She is a certificate holder in this area too; always striving to learn and drive forward new advances in equine reproduction.

She joined us at BVEC in March 2023 and is quickly becoming a familiar face on all of the studs we work closely with.

Outside of work, she loves family time, sports, gardening and the outdoors.

07/08/2024

✨ GASTROSCOPY CLINIC DAY at BVEC ✨

Join us next Wednesday, 14th August, for our monthly Gastroscopy Clinic. Gastroscopes are performed at the discounted rate of £165 (including VAT), plus any sedation required and the best plan of action for your horse.

Symptoms of gastric ulcers (aka EGUS) include, but not limited to:
- Poor performance
- Weight loss
- Back pain
- Aggression
- Depression
- Bucking
- Resentment to being tacked up
- Dull coat
- Colic
- Crib biting
- Wind Sucking

📞 If your horse exhibits any symptoms of EGUS, phone our clinic on 01451 820137 to book in for your discounted gastroscope on Wednesday 14th August, or to speak to one of our vets.

05/08/2024

⭐️ Meet Katie ⭐️

Katie joined the Bourton Vale team in February 2019. Originally from Northamptonshire, Katie moved to the Cotswolds in 2002. Katie heads up the administrative side of our export certificate service and works closely with some of our vets; to manage their diaries and help them to keep on top of paperwork. Having been with us now 5 years, she is a familiar voice on the end of the phone for many of our clients.

Previously she has worked as a groom and travelling head girl for National Hunt trainers, and more recently has owned and run her own B&B.
Katie’s family trained point-to-point horses and eventers which she was involved with from a young age and continues to compete her mare Lily and is kept busy by her dogs (all pictured!) during her spare time.

02/08/2024

☀️ KEEPING HORSES COOL ☀️

With the heat over this weekend, it’s important to reduce the risk of overheating. Here are some helpful tips:

🐎 Exercise your horse in the coolest parts of the day
🚿 Hose or sponge your horse with cool water after exercise or if they’re looking hot
😎 Ensure plenty of access to shade in fields and stables are well ventilated
💦 Make plenty of fresh drinking water available and encourage intake by adding water to feed and dampening forage
🧊 Create ice licks using fruit and veg in Tupperware
🏳️ Light coloured fly rugs can help reflect the heat on darker coloured horses

Signs of overheating include:
- Weakness/Lethargy
- Increased re**al temperature (over 38.5C)
- Increased respiration rate (over 20bpm)
- Dry gums can indicate dehydration

📞 If you have any concerns that your horse is suffering from heatstroke then please call us on 01451 820137

05/07/2024

One of our local referring vets recently sent in a lovely young horse in for stifle arthroscopy- she has shared some excellent advise on how to manage a young (or old!) horse on box rest!

09/06/2024

🐴 WE'RE HIRING! 🐴

We are seeking a new animal care assistant at Bourton Vale Equine Clinic. The role will include stable management, patient feeding and TLC, and working closely in support of the nursing and veterinary teams.

Working hours will be Monday-Friday plus some weekend hours. Start date during June 2024.

To apply, please e-mail your CV to [email protected].

16/05/2024

🐴 Veterinary Nurse Awareness Month 🐴

In May we are shining a spotlight on our amazing team of nurses who work tirelessly behind the scenes to care for your four-legged friends. They are an integral part of our hospital team and also assist the ambulatory vets out on the road. Their role varies hugely from day-to-day; they can be found handling and restraining patients for procedures, theatre nursing, taking x-rays, obtaining nuclear scintigraphy and MRI images, preparing horses for surgery, providing nursing care for our intensive care patients, nerve blocking for orthopaedic investigations, laboratory work and emergency out of hours work. The list goes on…!

They are critical to successful outcomes with our patients and the smooth running of our days here; they are often the friendly faces who meet you when dropping off and collecting your horses from the hospital. Pictured above is our dream team who are closely supported by our team of animal care assistants.

15/05/2024

⭐️ Gastroscopy Clinic Day at BVEC - 35% discount ⭐️

Join us at BVEC for our monthly gastroscopy clinic on Wednesday 22nd May. Gastroscopes are performed at the discounted rate of £165.00 including VAT, plus any sedation required.

Symptoms of gastric ulcers may include, but are not limited to:
▪️ Aggression
▪️ Depression
▪️ Bucking
▪️ Poor performance
▪️ Slowness to eat
▪️ Weight loss
▪️ Back pain
▪️ Resentment being tacked up
▪️ Dull coat
▪️ Colic
▪️ Crib biting
▪️ Wind sucking

If your horse exhibits any symptoms associated with EGUS, telephone the clinic on 01451 820 137 📞 to book in for your discounted gastroscope on 22nd May or to speak to one of our vets.

29/04/2024

Gorgeous Ted on duty with Polly at Swalcliffe this weekend 💚

Bourton Vale Equine Clinic Thank you Polly & Ted for vet on duty this weekend at Horse Events Swalcliffe Park can’t believe how tiny Ted was when we met him last year at Goring Heath. Thankfully a quiet weekend for Polly and Ted. 💙

A full equine service for the horses of Gloucestershire:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 01451 820137 (Emergency 24 hours)

25/04/2024

⭐ Meet Polly ⭐

Polly graduated from the University of Bristol after spending much of her life in Oxfordshire. After a short stint locuming as a small animal vet, she joined the team here at Bourton Vale Equine Clinic. After completing her 12-month internship with us, Polly stayed on at Bourton Vale as part of the ambulatory team. She enjoys all aspects of equine work with a specific interest in internal medicine. Polly is a whizz with our gastroscope and is often found in theatre anaesthetising patients for our surgical team.

Outside of work you will find Polly walking her Jack Russell Ted, riding her horses, skiing and running.

18/04/2024

⭐️ Gastroscopy Clinic Day at BVEC - 35% discount ⭐️

Join us at BVEC for our monthly gastroscopy clinic on Wednesday 24th April. Gastroscopes are performed at the discounted rate of £165.00 including VAT, plus any sedation required.

Symptoms of gastric ulcers may include, but are not limited to:
▪️ Aggression
▪️ Depression
▪️ Bucking
▪️ Poor performance
▪️ Slowness to eat
▪️ Weight loss
▪️ Back pain
▪️ Resentment being tacked up
▪️ Dull coat
▪️ Colic
▪️ Crib biting
▪️ Wind sucking

If your horse exhibits any symptoms associated with EGUS, telephone the clinic on 01451 820 137 📞 to book in for your discounted gastroscope on 24th April or to speak to one of our vets.

03/04/2024

🐴 Dental Discount Month during April at BVEC 🐴

We are offering 25% off routine dental rasps during the month of April.

We recommend an oral examination at least once every 12 months, and more frequently if indicated; often in older horses.

There are benefits to your vet undertaking your horse’s dental work including the ability to sedate the horse, if required, enabling a more thorough examination and calm experience for horse and owner. Additionally, we have access to equipment enabling us to provide further investigation if necessary including x-rays and oral endoscopy.

Motorised dental equipment is available where necessary.

Telephone the office on 01451 820 137 to book. Routine rasps can be booked in on our zone visit days which benefit from a reduced visit fee.

27/03/2024

Star was referred to us from Summerhill Equine Vets last Summer after sustaining a suspected laceration to the surface of her eye that wasn't responding to treatment at home.

The pictures below show the stages of healing her eye went through after having a sub-palpebral lavage system fitted to allow easy administration of medication; note the reduced size of green fluorescein stain uptake.

Star's owner sent us the latest picture of her picking up two wins at Hartpury a couple of weeks ago. Star really lived up to her name and we're so glad to see her back healthy and competing!

25/03/2024

⭐ Meet Sue ⭐

Sue has an HND in Biological Science and has worked with many types of horses including eventers, hunters and polo ponies. Prior to working at Bourton Vale, she spent five seasons with leading National Hunt Trainer Nigel Twiston Davies. In her spare time, she enjoys competing her own horse and baking delicious brownies (which sometimes we are lucky enough to sample..!).

Sue has been with us at Bourton Vale since 2006, so is a familiar face to many clients and a hugely valuable member of our team! She is responsible for managing our dispensary; ensuring our vets cars are stocked up with everything they need to service their patients. Sue is our lead bone scan technician; and spends many hours processing the images for interpretation by our team of vets.

13/03/2024

⭐️ Gastroscopy Clinic Day at BVEC - 35% discount ⭐️

Join us at BVEC for our monthly gastroscopy clinic on Wednesday 27th March. Gastroscopes are performed at the discounted rate of £165.00 including VAT, plus any sedation required.

Symptoms of gastric ulcers may include, but are not limited to:
▪️ Aggression
▪️ Depression
▪️ Bucking
▪️ Poor performance
▪️ Slowness to eat
▪️ Weight loss
▪️ Back pain
▪️ Resentment being tacked up
▪️ Dull coat
▪️ Colic
▪️ Crib biting
▪️ Wind sucking

If your horse exhibits any symptoms associated with EGUS, telephone the clinic on 01451 820 137 📞 to book in for your discounted gastroscope on 28th February or to speak to one of our vets.

11/03/2024

⭐ Meet Charlotte ⭐

Charlotte was born in the UK but spent her teenage years living in Australia, and studied Veterinary Science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga. After a stint in mixed practice in rural Victoria, she returned to the UK to pursue a career in equine practice. She completed an internship in the racing hub of Lambourn, and spent several years at a busy polo practice in Berkshire, before joining BVEC in 2022.

Charlotte is particularly interested in equine medicine and anaesthesia. Outside of work she enjoys good food, exploring the world and socialising with friends.

07/03/2024

⭐ Barren Mare Package ⭐

Is your mare barren following multiple attempts to get her in foal last season? Or managed to get in foal followed by early pregnancy loss? At BVEC, we are offering a ‘barren mare package’ with the aim of establishing the reason for your mare's sub-fertility.

For £250 + VAT, the package will include:
▪ Cl****al swabs for CEM, (contagious equine metritis,) and a blood sample for EVA/EIA, (equine viral arteritis and equine infectious anaemia,) to screen for potential venereal disease in preparation for the breeding season
▪ A comprehensive analysis of your mare’s breeding history
▪ A complete reproductive exam; assessment of your mares vulval conformation, cervix and ultrasound examination of the uterus and ovaries
▪ A guarded ‘in season’ endometrial swab or low volume lavage of the uterus, and laboratory interpretation; both are simple procedures carried out to obtain samples from the uterus for bacteriological and cytological assessment. Bacterial infection of the uterus is a common cause of sub-fertility. Both tests can help to detect the presence and type of inflammatory cells and bacteria that may be causing a problem
▪ Uterine biopsy; this is the only test that evaluates the structural integrity of the lining of the uterus. The results of this straight-forward procedure can be used to identify causes of sub-fertility and predict the likelihood of a mare becoming pregnant and carrying a pregnancy to term

We can use this information to tailor a treatment plan to the needs of your mare and move on to hopefully breed your mare successfully this 2024 season!

01/03/2024

🐴 JOB VACANCY - VETERINARY NURSE 🐴

Bourton Vale Equine Clinic is inviting applicants to join our equine nursing team. The successful candidate may be fully qualified or currently undergoing training. A positive attitude and enthusiasm to learn is more important to us than previous experience.

Bourton Vale Equine Clinic is a 14-vet (including two specialist surgeons) RCVS accredited equine hospital based in the Cotswolds. Nurses will work alongside the team of vets both in the hospital and in an ambulatory setting to support the day-to-day running of the hospital. The hospital accommodates inpatients and is equipped with surgical facilities for both elective and emergency procedures, a laboratory, standing MRI and bone scan. Our nurses are a key part of the clinical team surrounding any admissions to the hospital with a focus on in-patient care, imaging and theatre nursing.

A full or part-time position will be considered, but a contribution to the OOH rota will be essential on a 1-in-5 basis. Progression into a position of leadership (Deputy Head Nurse) is available for the right candidate. CPD allowance: 3 days per annum, with a budget of £600. Holiday allowance: 30 days per annum inclusive of bank holidays for a full-time position. Salary dependent on qualifications and experience. Please send a CV to [email protected], or telephone the clinic on 01451 820 137 for an informal chat.

26/02/2024

⭐ Meet Fran ⭐

Fran joined the team at Bourton Vale in June 2022. Fran works closely with our stud vets and their clients, so has her hands particularly full during the breeding season.

She has travelled all over the world with her family and has been groom to multiple professional event riders. In her spare time, Fran enjoys walking her dogs, spending time with her family and riding her horse.

Fran is a 'RAMA SQP' which means she has undertaken additional training to enable her to advise and prescribe appropriate worming medications for your horses. At Bourton Vale Equine Clinic we are passionate about responsible worming to reduce the development of wormer resistance and Fran has a key role in this.

21/02/2024

⭐️ Castration Clinic Days at BVEC - 40% discount ⭐️

! Back for February - following on from the success of our October Castration Clinics ! Every Thursday in February we will be offering castrations for a limited availability offer of £210 inclusive of drugs.

To be eligible, horses must be:
- under 3 years of age
- up to date with vaccines (including tetanus)
- have two descended testicles
- able to be transported to the clinic on the day of castration with their passport

If you have an older stallion or one with only one testicle present (a 'rig'), our surgeons Ollie and Hattie would be more than happy to chat through the options and advise you.

* Costs associated with any post-operative complications/treatments are not included in this offer
* Procedures to be at the clinic only
* A deposit of £50 must be made upon booking
* Payment must be made in full upon completion

📞 Please ring the office on 01451 820137 to book 📞

15/02/2024

A huge congratulations to our vet Hattie Barnes who is now a European Specialist in Large Animal Surgery, having passed her European College of Veterinary Surgery (ECVS) exams in Zurich last week.

Hattie is now a Diplomat of the European College of Large Animal Surgery. We are all so thrilled for her and her well-deserved achievement. 🍾🌟💥

12/02/2024

⭐ Meet Ben ⭐

Ben graduated from the University of Liverpool, after which he completed a surgical internship at Scone Equine Hospital, Australia. Since then, Ben has worked in sole equine practice in Gloucestershire, joining the team at Bourton Vale in January 2018. In August 2021 Ben completed his RCVS Certificate in Equine Lameness Diagnosis and Therapeutics.

Ben is passionate about optimising performance in sport and race horses; enjoying lameness evaluation and poor performance investigations as well as pre-purchase examinations for horses of all disciplines.

Ben has followed his interest in eventing from his time as a rider and groom into his veterinary career, initially working with the Australian Eventing Team from 2015-2018. Since 2018 Ben has been a part of the veterinary support team for the British Equestrian Federation primarily as assistant vet to the Senior Eventing programme, which has involved attendance at many international eventing competitions in the UK and Europe, including many Nations Cup events. 2023 was a particularly busy year providing veterinary support at Luhmuehlen, Avenches, Jardy, Le Lion, Boekelo and Pau; and Badminton, Chatsworth, Bramham, Burghley, Cornbury and Blenheim.

Travelling to Tokyo with the British horses for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Test Event was a particular highlight, as well as being a part of many successful team and individual British results both at home and abroad. Ben also is regularly on duty at Newbury Racecourse where he is able to get his racing fix.

07/02/2024

⭐️ Gastroscopy Clinic Day at BVEC - 35% discount ⭐️

Join us at BVEC for our monthly gastroscopy clinic on Wednesday 28th February. Gastroscopes are performed at the discounted rate of £165.00 including VAT, plus any sedation required.

Symptoms of gastric ulcers may include, but are not limited to:
▪️ Aggression
▪️ Depression
▪️ Bucking
▪️ Poor performance
▪️ Slowness to eat
▪️ Weight loss
▪️ Back pain
▪️ Resentment being tacked up
▪️ Dull coat
▪️ Colic
▪️ Crib biting
▪️ Wind sucking

If your horse exhibits any symptoms associated with EGUS, telephone the clinic on 01451 820 137 📞 to book in for your discounted gastroscope on 28th February or to speak to one of our vets.

29/01/2024

⭐ Meet Laura ⭐

Many of you who have spent any time at the clinic with your horses will have met Laura, our head nurse.

Laura graduated from Oxford Brookes University with a degree in Equine Science and Thoroughbred Management. As part of this degree, Laura spent a breeding season working as a veterinary technician at Eliza Park Stud in Melbourne. She also attended and completed a residential diploma course at the National Stud in Newmarket.

Upon leaving university, Laura was accepted as a trainee nurse at Donnington Grove Veterinary Group. She qualified as a veterinary nurse by attending block release at Myerscough College and training on the job.

On completion of her nursing qualification, she moved to Edinburgh to join the equine nursing team at The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. This is a busy teaching hospital and Laura contributed to teaching final year veterinary students. She was introduced to and became very interested in diagnostic imaging, and developing skills as a Hallmarq MRI Technician. Laura then joined the BVEC team in August 2022 as our Head Nurse and brings a wealth of clinical experience with her. She runs many of our standing MRI scans and is a true perfectionist; priding herself on obtaining high quality, diagnostic images which benefits our imaging specialists when interpreting our patients' MRIs.