From the paddock pony to the performance horse, our committed equine team provides an individual and
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Don't forget to evaluate your horses' nutritional needs in colder weather. They may require additional forage or adjustments to their feed to maintain the correct body condition.
For your optimal horses health, it is advisable to contact your vet to discuss and make any nutritional adjustments.
New year, New goals
With the arrival of the new year, it is tradition to set fresh goals and plans for you and your horse. Whether it's refining your communication through groundwork, advancing in a particular discipline, or simply just nurturing a deeper bond, the upcoming months hold the promise of new adventures and shared achievements.
What are you and your horses goals for 2024?
From all of us at Hale Equine Vets we wish you and your horses a joyful new year!
May the coming year bring you and your 4 legged friends an abundance of good health, boundless joy and wonderful adventures.
๐HAPPY NEW YEAR ๐
Amazing sunset at base camp (Lackham) tonight ๐คฉ
Wishing you a Merry Christmas!
Now Christmas is here we find ourselves reflecting on the joy and gratitude that comes with being part of the incredible journey with you and your horses. This Christmas we want to extend our warmest wishes to each and every one of you.
We are truly grateful for the trust you place in us to care for your horses and thank you for being part of Hale Equine Vets.
We look forward to continuing our journey together and serving the health and wellbeing of your horse's in the coming year.
Merry Christmas everyone ๐ฒ๐ดโ๏ธ
A big thank you to our amazing veterinary team.
As the festive season wraps us in joy and celebration, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt thanks to the incredible superheroes of our practice - the dedicated veterinary team!
While many people are unwrapping presents and enjoying holiday feats, our veterinary heroes are working to ensure your horses receive the care they need.
To our whole team, thankyou. Your compassion, expertise and unwavering dedication do not go unnoticed.
If you are visiting the practice, the college gates are now closed for Christmas. Just drop us a call on 01249 658379 and we can get them open for you. ๐
Share your equine festive pics with us โ๏ธ๐ด๐ฒ
Share the joy of the seasons by posting your festive equine pictures and spreading the holiday spirit with us!
If you have been effected by strangles since January 2020, please could you fill out this survey. More details are below ๐
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=749848127186375&set=a.357598736411318&__cft__%5b0%5d=AZVUn8grAVuvbHNkK6f0WjjSfODQdfLMY2zdDenB1V7GD7SCajSEbTyDZGZzrEHrZU2BA2pbrEG5SBb7Qy6APTazQ2xJh5bhqkPNL0FPzND722539KMNCVT6058CWTCt4gY-jmvK_RloUlANfQB-AG9NDAks89pLfRGl8msqk207LWOthCg82a_ogke3XDW-WZg&__tn__=EH-R
Have you and your horses been affected by the debilitating disease that is strangles in recent years?
Josh Eustace, MSc student of MSc International Animal Welfare, Ethics & Law (on-line), has launched an online survey through The University of Edinburgh for his dissertation aimed at horse owners/loaners, employees or managers/owners of yards that have experienced at least one case of strangles since January 2020.
https://www.redwings.org.uk/news-and-features/have-you-and-your-horses-been-affected-strangles
Abigail Turnbull, yard manager at Richmond Equestrian Centre (pictured), has experienced a strangles outbreak herself and kindly provided the following statement in collaboration with Redwings:
"The team at Richmond Equestrian Centre know just how devastating a Strangles outbreak can be - for horses, owners and businesses. Research into this complex disease is absolutely essential to help us protect more horses from its debilitating and sometimes fatal effects. PLEASE support this important survey to help us find out more about Strangles and how we can prevent its spread."
This survey has been designed under the supervision of Dr Richard Newton, Dr Scott Pirie and Dr Marie Rowland, along with the help and support from Helen Whitelegg, Policy and Research Officer here at Redwings.โค๏ธ
24 hour veterinary care
As we revel in the holiday spirit, our dedicated team remains on high alert, ready to respond to any equine health crisis that may arise. Whether it's a sudden illness, injury or any unforeseen medical issue, our experienced and compassionate vets are available around the clock to provide expert care.
The benefits of giving your horse some time off
Incorporating breaks into your horse's routine not only aids in physical recovery and injury prevention but also supports mental well-being, ultimately contributing to a healthier, happier and more sustainable partnership between you and your horse.
Here is a video with some key advantages
Going away over the festive period?
Don't forget to tell us!
Prior to going away, please call us to discuss who has authority to act on your behalf, whilst you are away. This can save valuable time in an emergency that could save your horse's life.
Ensure you have someone you can trust (whilst you are away) to make decisions about your horse and discuss with them your emergency plan options and insurance information etc. you can then go away knowing your horse is covered.
Do you have enough of your horse's medication to last the festive period?
As the Christmas holidays approach, we would like to give our clients plenty of notice regarding ordering repeat medication for their horses. Please don't forget to order enough medication to last your horse through the festive season, as soon as possible.
We cannot guarantee the post so we advise you to collect your medication from the practice, to make sure you don't run out over the holidays.
Please allow us 48hours for authorisation by a vet and to process your prescription request
Petplan awards ๐
The Petplan Veterinary Awards highlight the amazing work veterinary practices do. These awards, organised by Petplan, aim to honour veterinarians, vet nurses and support staff who go above and beyond to ensure the wellbeing of our beloved animal companions. The awards are made up of various categories, including practice of the year, Vet of the year and Vet Nurse of the year among others.
If you would like to nominate us, or a member of our team, please complete the nomination form (it would mean so much to us) :
Https://www.petplan.co.uk/about-petplan/vets/awards/
From hoof to heartbeat : a day in the life of our first opinion equine vets.
A day in the life of a first opinion vet is a whirlwind of challenges and dedication. The day typically starts early with our vets hitting the road, traveling from stable to stable, attending to routine check-ups, emergencies and addressing various health concerns. They may find themselves delivering foals, conducting dental exams, treating injuries or using their mobile diagnostic imaging, such as x-ray.
The work is physically demanding, requiring skill and empathy. Everyday is unique, filled with the unpredictability of working with large and sometimes temperamental horses. Their commitment to the equine community goes far beyond just medical care; they offer valuable advice and support, forming strong bonds with both horse and owner to create a healthier, happier equine population.
Quality hay: a winter necessity for your horses health.
As winter blankets the world in a frosty embrace, horse owners face an important responsibility: ensuring the wellbeing of their horse during the colder months. One of the cornerstone elements in this endeavour is the provision of high quality hay.
Here are some key reasons why good quality hay is of the utmost importance during the winter months:
๐ด To meet the horses nutritional needs
๐ดBeneficial to the horses digestive system
๐ด Help to keep your horse warm in the winter
๐ด Provides mental stimulation to prevent boredom
๐ด Essential for a horses weight management as it provides a well-balanced nutritional profile, promoting digestive health and sustained energy levels, which helps prevent excessive weight gain or loss.
Hydration reminder - keeping your horse healthy.
Winter brings with it a host of challenges for horse owners, one of the most critical being the maintenance of proper hydration for your equine companions. While we often associate dehydration with the scorching heat of summer, it can be just as prevalent, if not more so, during the cold winter months as horses tend to drink less water compared to the warmer seasons.
This reduced water intake can lead to dehydration, which is a serious concern. Horses need water to maintain their bodily functions, Including digestion, circulation, and temperature regulation.
Preventing mud fever, also known as pastern dermatitis, is a common skin condition affecting horses. It typically occurs when the horse's legs, especially the lower limbs and pasterns, come into prolonged contact with wet and muddy conditions, which can soften the skin and create an ideal environment for bacteria or fungi to thrive.
Mud fever is characterised by inflammation, scabs and discharge that can lead to discomfort and lameness in affected horses. Prevention is crucial, involving measures such as regular cleaning and drying of the horse's legs, providing clean and dry living conditions, and avoiding turnout in excessively muddy areas. Timely and proper treatment is essential if mud fever does develop to prevent its progression and ensure the horse's comfort.
Please call the practice for more information
For any Hale Clients....
โ ๏ธ Attention โ ๏ธ
Due to reception staff sickness, we will only be taking telephone calls for veterinary emergencies from 2pm to 6pm today and tomorrow.
Please email the office with any non urgent requests on [email protected] or call 01249 658379 between 8.30am and 2pm.
Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
THIS DOES NOT AFFECT ANY VETERINARY CARE REQUIRED OR ALREADY BOOKED IN!
Just our phone service - thank you x
โ ๏ธ Attention โ ๏ธ
Due to reception staff sickness, we will only be taking telephone calls for veterinary emergencies from 2pm to 6pm today and tomorrow.
Please email the office with any non urgent requests on [email protected] or call 01249 658379 between 8.30am and 2pm.
Our apologies for any inconvenience caused.
THIS DOES NOT AFFECT ANY VETERINARY CARE REQUIRED OR ALREADY BOOKED IN!
Just our phone service - thank you x
๐ฃ๏ธ Road awareness week
This is an essential annual event that highlights the importance of safe and responsible road usage. While it primarily focuses on motor vehicles, it also underscores the significance of sharing the road with other vulnerable users, such as horses .
A different kind of friend for Georgia this morning ๐
The temperature has definitely dropped and Winter has arrived. Our newest four legged recruit certainly has the right idea in keeping nice and warm! โ๏ธ
World Kindness Day.
Let every day be World Kindness Day, for in the warmth of our compassion, we ignite a brighter and more compassionate world for all.
Our vets play an essential role in our society, tirelessly caring for our beloved animals and ensuring their wellbeing. On World Kindness Day, let's appreciate our dedicated professionals. Vets often face both the joys of healing animals and the heartaches of dealing with difficult cases. They provide comfort and compassion not only to the animals but also to the worried owners. Let's take this day as an opportunity to extend our gratitude, share heart-warming stories, and spread positively about the remarkable work our vets and support team do. โค๏ธ
On Remembrance Day, our hearts and minds naturally turn to the brave men and women who have their lives in service to their countries. We stand in solemn tribute to their sacrifices, the freedoms they defended, and the world they helped shape. Yet, amidst the stories of human heroism, there is another group of often forgotten heros - the animals who played an indispensable role in times of conflict.
Throughout history, animals have stood alongside soldiers, offering their unwavering support and courage in the face of danger. Their contribution to the war efforts is immeasurable and worthy of our remembrance on this solemn day.
Perhaps the most iconic of these incredible animal heroes are the war horses. They carried soldiers in it battle, often charging into the chaos of danger with incredible bravery. These magnificent creatures formed an unbreakable bond with their riders, providing not only transportation but also comfort and companionship in the darkest of times. Thousands of horses fell on the battlefields during World War 1, their sacrifice a testament to their loyalty.
There's more information on the CANTER parasite risk profile in the video below.
Please check out the canter for horses website and give us a call if you want to discuss further.
# Canterforhorses
# horsehealth
โ ๏ธ Is your horse LOW, MEDIUM OR HIGH risk for parasite infection? A broad range of factors influence your horseโs susceptibility. Remember these using the C...
๐ world radiography day!
On world radiography day, we celebrate the critical role that radiography plays in advancing equine health and veterinary care. Radiography, also known as X-ray imaging, has revolutionised the way we diagnose and treat various ailments in horses. It has become an indisposable tool for vets, enabling them to delve deep into the equine anatomy and detect hidden issues that might otherwise remain undetected.
Radiography is most commonly used in lameness investigations to look at the bones and joints of the leg but is also invaluable in the evaluation of the skull, dental disease, lungs , neck and back.
Benefits of radiography:
๐ดcan be mobile or used in clinic
๐ด Acts as an aid to improve the accuracy, and therefore safety, of injections into deeper structures of the skeleton such as medication of the navicular bursa
๐ดIt's non-invasive
๐ดPainless
The way we deworm our horses is changing. There is increasing resistance to our wormers, which means they sometimes arenโt as effective as they once were. There are no new deworming drugs being developed. However, there are new, better diagnostic tests available which enable us to target the worms when we know they are there, rather than blanket worming our horses when they donโt need it.
The recommendations are now that we only deworm horses when required, after testing first and assessing each horseโs risk of worm burden. Itโs vital that we embrace these new developments to slow down the growing resistance to wormers, and to protect the environment.
Faecal worm egg counts are commonplace now, and its great to see how this change has been accepted. However, many of you will be aware that worm egg counts donโt detect small redworm larvae or tapeworms, which is why for the past few years the advice has been to use certain dewormers in the Autumn/winter to target those worms directly. The problem we are now encountering is that resistance to these specific medicines is also being documented. We need to change tack and stop the regular use of all deworming medicines.
Tapeworm can be tested for via a blood test, or a saliva test which you can do yourself. The test is sent away to a lab and results are reported to you by your vet. The results provide information on the horseโs exposure to tapeworm. Your vet will then guide you to a more educated decision on whether your horse or pony needs to be treated for tapeworm.
Experts now recommend that a horseโs risk of small redworm and their encysted larvae are assessed before treatment is considered. The risk assessment is carried out by your vet with vital information from you and takes into account various factors about your horse and his/her environment. A blood test is also advised in some cases.
Please refer to the โCANTERโ risk assessment chart below to see how we will assess your horseโs parasite risk profile:
Did you know?
Reasons your horse won't eat
There are several reasons why a horse may refuse to eat. If your horses refuses to eat or experiences a prolonged loss of appetite, it's essential to consult a vet to determine the underlying cause and develop a plan to address the issue. Ignoring a loss of appetite in horses can lead to serious health problems. Here are some common reasons why your horse won't eat:
๐ fireworks ๐
Fireworks are an integral part of various celebrations and events, but their loud noises and bright flashes can cause stress and anxiety in horses. It is crucial to take proactive measures to ensure the well-being of your horse during firework displays. Preparation and training can significantly reduce the negatives impact of fireworks and horses and create a more comfortable environment for them.
Speak to our vets to help you prepare to keep your horse safer during firework season.
With all this rain, who has a horse that enjoys a good roll in a muddy puddle?
Always remember, cleaning a muddy horse is not just about aesthetics; it is essential for their well-being and health. Muddy coats can hide skin irritations, wounds or underlying health issues, making it difficult to detect and address any problems. Additionally, mud can trap moisture close to the skin, creating an ideal environment for bacteria and fungal infections to develop. So, owners of mud monsters have you got your winter grooming kits ready!
Please share your muddy horse photos in the comments.. we need something to brighten our day
How to prevent your horse from getting equine flu? ๐
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ด๐๐น๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ผ๐ด๐ฟ๐ฎ๐บ๐บ๐ฒ
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๐๐ข๐ข๐ ๐ฆ๐ง๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ก๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ง
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๐ฃ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐๐๐จ ๐๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด!
# equine flu awareness week # KBHH
Is your horse autumn ready?
As the vibrant colours of summer fade and the crispness of autumn fills the air, it's important to ensure that your horse is prepared for the seasonal changes.
Here is a video with some advice to ensure your horse is ready for autumn.
โ๏ธโ๏ธ VET UPDATE โ๏ธโ๏ธ
19 Langley Road
Chippenham
SN152NY
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The benefits of giving your horse some time off Incorporating breaks into your horse's routine not only aids in physical recovery and injury prevention but also supports mental well-being, ultimately contributing to a healthier, happier and more sustainable partnership between you and your horse. Here is a video with some key advantages
๐ fireworks ๐ Fireworks are an integral part of various celebrations and events, but their loud noises and bright flashes can cause stress and anxiety in horses. It is crucial to take proactive measures to ensure the well-being of your horse during firework displays. Preparation and training can significantly reduce the negatives impact of fireworks and horses and create a more comfortable environment for them. Speak to our vets to help you prepare to keep your horse safer during firework season.
Is your horse autumn ready? As the vibrant colours of summer fade and the crispness of autumn fills the air, it's important to ensure that your horse is prepared for the seasonal changes. Here is a video with some advice to ensure your horse is ready for autumn.
Managing Equine Cushing's Disease in autumn Equine Cushingโs Disease, is a hormonal disorder and occurs when the pituitary gland malfunctions, leading to an overproduction of certain hormones. This can result in a range of symptoms, including a long and curly coat, excessive sweating, increased thirst and urination, weight loss, and a compromised immune system. As autumn is soon to arrive, it's essential to pay extra attention to your horse with Cushingโs Disease. Here are a few tips to help manage their condition during this season. #EquineCushingsAwareness
โ๏ธโ๏ธ VET UPDATE โ๏ธโ๏ธ
Back in April this young cob managed to lacerate his cannon, cutting through 70% of his tendon and all the way down to his bone! He spent quite a while on box rest after having surgery and for such a young horse really behaved the best he ever had! His owner did a fantastic job in providing him with plenty of enrichment and always having a little friend about to keep him company. We are so pleased to see that he is now back out with his friends after what felt like such a long time. The goal was to have him back out before his 3rd birthday and we managed to do it ๐โค๏ธ๐ด
