Walker Equine Vets

22/11/2023

Walker Equine Vets are delighted to announce the completion of a detailed assessment and our recent accreditation as a RCVS Accredited Equine General Practice.

04/11/2023

The warm and wet autumn seems to be causing some unusual problems. We have had a few calls to geldings kicking at their bellies and swishing their tails. Upon investigation they have had maggots in their sheaths, much like sheep get fly strike. There haven’t been underlying problems with these horses and it is not obvious why some have been affected. Must be pretty unpleasant!

25/05/2023

Well it’s been a busy start to 2023. We have completed the next part of the development of our premises on the Blackdown Hills and we now have stabling and a treatment room, complete with stocks that make many procedures including breeding and standing operations easier. Some clients have found it convenient to come in for their routine annual vaccinations and dentistry.

15/09/2022

We will be observing the bank holiday on Monday 19th Sept.
We will be available for emergencies as usual.

11/09/2022

A great horsewoman and an inspirational person. RIP Queen Elizabeth II.

03/08/2022

This little chap needed our attention last week. He had a suspected thorn injury to the surface of the eye (cornea). He was not at all happy about having eye drops put into the eye and so we fitted a specialised tube called a sub-palperbral lavage kit. The tube has a soft end that sits under the eyelid and is fixed through the lid and plaited into the mane so that drops can be injected into the end of the tube at the bottom of his mane. This makes treatment easier, more effective and much less stressful for the patient. The injury appears to be doing well and we hope to remove the tube within the next few days.

31/07/2022

Huge congratulations to Millie Juleff and all of the Young Riders for taking team gold. An extended congratulations to the team at Tim Cheffings Eventing, Downe Farm Event Centre and the families and ground support who make it possible for all of these young people to achieve such results.

𝗚𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻'𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗚𝗢𝗟𝗗 𝗮𝘁 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀🥇🇬🇧

What an incredible day at the European Championships for Juniors and Young Riders as our Team NAF Young Riders take the team gold to add to the gold won by our Junior team 🙌

Congratulations to
🥇 Alice Casburn and Topspin (3rd) 🇬🇧
🥇 Ibble Watson and Aristoteles S Z (13th) 🇬🇧
🥇 Millie Juleff and All We Need (6th) 🇬🇧
🥇 Molly Faulkner and Call me Cooley (7th) 🇬🇧

Congratulations also to our brilliant individual combinations - Phoebe Hughes and Top Biats who just missed out on an individual medal in 5th and Polly Muirhead and Penhill Touch of Class who finished 15th 👏

The medal ceremony is at 4.30pm and you can watch live on ClipMyHorse.TV Great Britain

British Eventing would like to thank NAF, title sponsors of the Junior and Young Rider Eventing Teams. Thanks also go to Event Collection, FAIRFAX & FAVOR, Holland Cooper Equestrian, LeMieux, Racesafe Equestrian and Welligogs who are further supporting the teams with kit.







📷 Adam Fanthorpe

12/07/2022

Great weather for hay making! But please remember that like us, our horses are not used to the sudden high temperatures. A few things to think about:

- Access to clean drinking water at all times is vital
- Horses should be able to get into the shade, consider stabling during the day unless your stables are very hot
- Try and exercise your horse in the cooler parts of the day
- The best way to cool a horse is to apply cold water in large quantities
- Electrolytes help horses to recover from exertion in the heat, but are better fed daily when the horse has free access to water, than in large quantities just before work
- If your horse has to wear a fly rug, make sure they are not getting very hot under it
- Horses don't show heat stress until they are quite unwell, so prevention is better than cure

31/05/2022

Please make time to see this webinar, it is extremely informative on the present day approach to the worming situation, especially useful for livery owners and private yards.

Thank you for registering to attend our webinar on anthelmintic resistance with David Rendle. 80% of wormer doses are completely unnecessary. Find out why at...

06/03/2022

06/03/2022

EXCITING NEWS....
We have completed phase 1 in our new premises and we have now moved the offices into our renovated barn in Clayhidon. Anja and Andrew would like to thank the team who have put so much extra time and effort into making it happen and also Somerset Electrical and Property Services for managing the project so efficiently and cheerfully. Please ring if you need directions, we have updated the address details on this page:
Red Lane Barn (next to Higher Hill Farm), Clayhidon, EX15 3TW.
The phone number remains the same.

17/02/2022

We hope that everybody is safely tucked up against tomorrows predicted storm. Just in case we have phone problems due to the forecast high winds, please use any of our mobile numbers. We hope that you don’t need us but we will be available as usual.

25/12/2021

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and look forward to a happy and healthy 2022. Thank you all for your support.

16/12/2021

We had a very interesting case recently, of a Deer Ked found on a horse. This is quite unusual in our part of the country and is seen more commonly towards the New Forest. Deer Keds are parasites that usually live on deer (the clue is in the name!) but occasionally they land on horses. They fly onto the horse and then shed their wings and bury themselves in the coat of the horse. Horses become incredibly agitated by their movement and we thought that this mare might have had colic. Apart from being very upset, kicking out and twitching violently, she was normal on examination. Even after sedation she was very agitated but settled eventually. A day or two later she started behaving the same way when being ridden, this time her keen-eyed owner found the culprit and kindly sent us a picture. The video was taken after some quite strong sedation but shows how upset the horse was. Usually a horse will return to complete normality once the ked is removed.

05/08/2021

A belated welcome to Emily Wollacott who joined the team this summer. Emily is well known to many, being a local girl who having previously obtained her Animal Nursing Assistant qualification at Bicton College, worked for many years at a local riding school. At last we have someone young enough to work the computers! Under practice manager Heathers guidance, Emily is quickly becoming an important member of the team. Photographed with her much loved Beau and Polo.

07/07/2021

This webinar is still available to watch. Very helpful for those with concerns for laminitics and EMS around this time of year!

Free Horse Owner Webinar:

How to tip the scales in your favour: weight monitoring and management while keeping your horse happy.

Horse owners often hate weight management and feel like it is a constant battle, endlessly doing things your horse dislikes, such as restricting food and extra exercise. However, it does not have to be like that! If you feel battling your horses’ weight is causing you problems, then guest speaker Dr Tamzin Furtado PhD may have some answers for you.
Tamzin is a social scientist with a background in global health and has a specific interest in the interconnections between human and animal health and wellbeing. She completed a PhD at the University of Liverpool studying how we can improve the management of obesity in horses, particularly focusing on horse-human relationships and human behaviour change.
Join us for this FREE webinar on Thursday 11th March, 8 pm online. It is easy to join, simply register your details by following the link and you will be sent an email to join on the night.

http://bit.ly/T-FFatpony

Bova UK is a manufacture of veterinary specials medicines and sometimes provides us as, a veterinary practice, with continued professional development (CPD) webinars via Bova Scholars.
Your details will not be used for marketing purposes by Bova UK.

Bova Specials UK Ltd

10/04/2021

What a lovely surprise to receive this nomination. We are very grateful.

Equestrian Business Awards

10/03/2021

Free Horse Owner Webinar:

How to tip the scales in your favour: weight monitoring and management while keeping your horse happy.

Horse owners often hate weight management and feel like it is a constant battle, endlessly doing things your horse dislikes, such as restricting food and extra exercise. However, it does not have to be like that! If you feel battling your horses’ weight is causing you problems, then guest speaker Dr Tamzin Furtado PhD may have some answers for you.
Tamzin is a social scientist with a background in global health and has a specific interest in the interconnections between human and animal health and wellbeing. She completed a PhD at the University of Liverpool studying how we can improve the management of obesity in horses, particularly focusing on horse-human relationships and human behaviour change.
Join us for this FREE webinar on Thursday 11th March, 8 pm online. It is easy to join, simply register your details by following the link and you will be sent an email to join on the night.

http://bit.ly/T-FFatpony

Bova UK is a manufacture of veterinary specials medicines and sometimes provides us as, a veterinary practice, with continued professional development (CPD) webinars via Bova Scholars.
Your details will not be used for marketing purposes by Bova UK.

Bova Specials UK Ltd

02/03/2021

Many people will have heard by now, of the very sad oubreak of Equine Herpes Virus at an FEI showjumping event in Spain. A number of these horses have developed the neurological form of the disease (EHV-1). Outbreaks have occured in yards in Europe as a result of horses returning home from this competition, whilst many are in quarantine at the show stables.
There are several strains of Equine Herpes Virus. EHV-1 can cause respiratory disease, abortion in pregnant mares and neurological disease.
Good biosecurity on a yard will reduce the risk of infection, and vaccination is recommended in brood mares, competition and race horses. Vaccination should not be given to horses who are suspected of having the disease or who may have been in-contact with affected horses, as this can increase the risk of neurological illness.
If you have any concerns, please contact the practice.

22/02/2021

For the 2021 breeding season, we have produced competitive packages for mares, either walking-in for natural covering, or for artificial insemination.
As an experienced team regarding veterinary support when breeding horses, we are also delighted that one of our vets, Alessia Sorrentino, has a special interest in this area.

Alessia has had extensive experience in equine reproduction in Italy at one of the largest artificial insemination / embryo transfer centres, before coming to the UK. Here she has worked as one of the stud vets at the Beaufort Embryo Transfer Centre in Gloucestershire and Twemlows Stud Farm in Shropshire, as well as in ambulatory equine practice, providing services to thoroughbred stud farms and private sports horse breeders. Alessia has spent 12 years increasing her knowledge of all aspects of breeding including poor fertility, monitoring of high risk mares and care of the mare and foal, and continues to follow the most up-to-date research in this field.

We would be very pleased to discuss your individual requirements and the service we offer on 01823 475208.

02/02/2021

We would like to pay tribute to our former colleague, partner and great friend Brian Crawford BVM&S MRCVS who sadly passed away on January 11th at North Devon Hospice, aged 86.

Brian and Andrew met almost by accident over 20 years ago and from that time enjoyed a very friendly, communicative and professional relationship. Together Brian and Andrew set up Western Counties Equine Clinic, first of all based at Tucking Mill Farm, Bampton, and subsequently at Culmstock. Despite approaching his later years in veterinary practice he remained completely committed to his profession, always enthusiastic, progressive and supportive to colleagues and clients alike. We can truly say that it is a great privilege to have known him.

On his retirement from Western Counties, in 2004 at the age of 70, he continued in veterinary practice such was his commitment to his profession.

Brian had two great passions in his life - his family and his work. Our thoughts are with Jill and his family at this time.

08/01/2021

We would like to reassure our clients, that we are currently able to continue to offer our full range of normal services in the new lockdown.

We ask please that people are particularly mindful of wearing masks and maintaining as much social distance as is possible during our visits.

Please discuss any concerns with our receptionists or our vets.

24/12/2020

Wishing all of our clients and friends a peaceful Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. Thank you for all of your support in 2020.

22/12/2020

FIRST AID KITS

We have put together our new first aid kits, perfect for in the lorry or on the yard. These will also make a great gift for any horse or pony owner. The kit is in a handy draw-string bag that will keep the contents clean and avoid them getting lost.

We have two options:

Standard kit: Digital thermometer, cotton wool, dressing pads, soffban, vetwrap, crepe bandages, adhesive bandage, latex gloves, eye wash vials, hydrogel wound gel, wound wipes and a guide to use.​​​​​​
£29 includes VAT

Premium kit: Contains the above in greater quantities, plus wound ointment, duct tape, dosing syringe, hoof poultice and bandage scissors.
£49 includes VAT.

Please contact the office to place your order. Thank you. 01823 475208.

23/11/2020

Sleep deprivation in horses;

This has come up a few times recently and we thought that it was worth a post...

While we all know that horses can sleep standing up, a lot of people don't realise that horses need a small amount of REM (rapid eye movement sleep) in every 24hrs. Horses that don't lie down, can start to show signs of sleep deprivation. This often manifests as falling asleep on their feet- a horse will appear to doze when they are relaxed, and may stumble forward and wake up, or even fall over completely.
Some fall asleep with their heads on the stable door.

Older horses with arthritis or other causes of pain, are the most likely to suffer. Any horse can be affected if they are fearful to lie down, uncomfortable, or do not have enough space.

Giving a horse a deep, large enough bedded area to encourage them to sleep, often solves the problem.

04/11/2020

Lockdown

Our current understanding is that work will continue during the lockdown, and, unless instructed otherwise by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, we will maintain provision of services in a Covid secure manner.

Please help us to keep our vets and staff free from Covid by:

1) Remembering the 2m rule
2) Wearing the face covering at all times when we visit you, or at our offices
3) Using the hand sanitiser on the entrance desk if visiting us

Thank you once more for your understanding and collaboration. With your help, we can continue to offer the best service.

30/10/2020

18/10/2020

Just for a bit of light relief, these miniature donkey foals are a real time waster! This small breed originates from the Mediterranean region.

12/10/2020

Poor fertility

Mare fertility varies between populations.

Several factors can affect the ability of a mare to become pregnant and give birth to a live foal.

Some of those factors are related to the mare e.g. anatomical and physiological abnormalities of the reproductive tract, age, breeding history, management of the mare and oestrus cycle etc.; others are related to the stallion’s fertility, and to the availability of the stallion for natural mating, or the need to use chilled/frozen semen in an artificial insemination program.

The aim of any breeder is to produce a live foal. The role of the vet in maximising reproductive health, ensures that conception and pregnancy failures are kept to a minimum.

Unfortunately this is not always easy and autumn is the time of the year when examination and possible treatment of your barren mare (mare not pregnant at the end of the breeding season) is best carried out in order to achieve maximal breeding efficiency for the next breeding season.

Please give us a call if you would like to book an appointment or to discuss your mare.

06/10/2020

Collaborative approaches to equine wellbeing...

Poor hoof balance often goes hand-in-hand with lameness in horses and ponies. With modern battery-operated X-ray equipment, it has become easy to radiograph feet in any situation. We can then work with your farrier to find the best options from both the veterinary and farriery viewpoints.

These pictures show a horse with a long toe, low heel imbalance referred to as ‘broken-back’. The first picture is before and the second after one shoeing, already with an improvement in the alignment of the bones of the hoof, shorter toe and improved heel support.
...........................