Riverside Vets Equine

23/04/2025

We were very fortunate to get to work with Ihrt Lucy Williams for another difficult case.
This lovely young mare had decided that she didn’t like Vets, and in particular, Vets with injections 💉
This was becoming problematic and despite all our efforts, our visits were becoming a big issue for her and she was becoming dangerous, rearing and barging through everyone in the stable and pressing her Owner into the wall.
Her Owner has been amazing and totally dedicated to getting to a solution.
By learning how to read her better, we have got to a place where she is happy and relaxed, and by learning her more subtle communications, we have been able to take a step back before anything escalates.
Some key take aways from our session:
🥕When the horse’s energy is building you can disperse this by circling them quietly around you.
🥕They are a prey animal – enclosed spaces are more risk for them and their instinct is to get away.
🥕 Before doing anything, wait for the lower jaw to release.
🥕 Look out for subtle signs such as an open elbow, resting a leg, walking into the handler and blocking your approach with their head.
In the video, we are pretending to inject by pressing a syringe against her neck. You can clearly see how she turns her head to Jenny on the approach, surprisingly, this is not a greeting but a block to her approach, at this point Jenny takes a step back, she then relaxes and is happy for us to proceed.
The improvements have been amazing and we have loved working with her Owner and Lucy. Gaining new insight into the horses mind and how we can make visits as stress free as possible.

20/04/2025

❤️

17/04/2025

🚨Just a reminder that we are available for emergencies 24 hours a day 365 days a year. 🚨
Below are our practice opening times, should you need to collect any medications from us.
🐥Wishing you all a Happy Easter 🐥

17/04/2025

🌞Planning a getaway!🌞
Please make sure you appoint a representative on your behalf to make decisions for your horse in the event we can't contact you.
Please let us know by 📧Email, ☎Phone or 🐾PetsApp.
Enjoy your time away 🐴

16/04/2025

🧪🐴 Faecal Worm Egg Counts

Faecal Worm Egg Counts (FWECs) are a key part of responsible worming. By testing, we can avoid unnecessary treatments and help prevent resistance to worming preparations.

🔍 Quick, non-invasive, and cost-effective
📅 Recommended routinely during grazing season
🎯 Targeted treatment = healthier horses & better long-term control

Let’s work together to keep your horse healthy and protected. If you have any questions about your horse’s worming plan, please contact us.

📞 02380620605
🐴 Or send us a Petsapp message

🐛If you are on our Equine Health Plan Faecal Worm Egg counts are included.🐛

08/04/2025

🐴Answer to yesterdays quiz🐴 Rotation of P3 due to Laminitis 🐴

This horse was suffering with Laminitis and because of this the pedal bone (P3) rotated 16 degrees. The radiographs aided the Farrier with trimming the feet, where the toe was reduced and clogs were placed.

With strict management and extra special care from the Owner, this horse made a full recovery.

Well done to everyone who guessed correctly. ⭐

We are currently seeing an increase in Laminitis with the grass beginning to grow. If you have any concerns please contact us on 02380620605

Obesity increases the risk of laminitis. If you are concerned about your horses weight going into spring, we can arrange for our Anna our Equine Nurse to attend, free of charge, with the weigh bridge and body condition score your horse.
Reducing the risks of laminitis

By keeping your laminitis knowledge up to date you may literally be able to help save equine lives. Check out these quick tips:
🌱Don't let your horse get too fat - obesity increases the risk of laminitis
🌱Control access to grass - don’t let susceptible horses munch too much of the green stuff!
🌱Turn your horse out overnight - in the growing season grass contains less fructans at night
🌱Feed a low sugar, low starch diet
🌱Be vigilant - early signs of laminitis include a pottery gait on hard ground, heat in the hooves and a raised digital pulse
🌱Always speak to your vet as soon as possible if you are concerned

07/04/2025

⭐️Quiz time ⭐️

Can you guess what is going on in this radiograph? 🤔

Answer to be revealed tomorrow evening.

01/04/2025

🏇 How to Safely Increase Your Horse's Fitness 🏇

As the weather warms and we are out and about more it's important that your horse is fit and ready for whatever excitement is in store! It’s important to take a gradual approach to avoid injuries and ensure your horse stays healthy! Here are a few tips:

1️⃣ Start Slow – Begin with light, low-intensity work and increase duration gradually. Think walk and trot before you add in more strenuous activities like canter or gallop. Aim to increase duration on a weekly basis

2️⃣ Consistency is Key – Consistent, moderate exercise is more beneficial than overdoing it in short bursts. Aim for regular sessions but allow your horse time to rest and recover. Make a plan and stick to it, a fit horse can work 5 days a week with 2 rest days split apart in the week. Work up to this if your horse currently works a lot less.

3️⃣ Warm Up & Cool Down – Always start with a proper warm-up and end with a cool-down to prevent muscle strain and improve flexibility. 10-15 minutes of walking either end of your session is a must.

4️⃣ Incorporate Variety – Mix up the routines to work on different muscle groups. Groundwork, hill work, poles, and long lining are great for overall fitness

5️⃣ Monitor Health – Pay attention to signs of fatigue, lameness, or changes in behavior. If you are managing old niggles during the fittening process, vet checks are really important to make sure all is going as it should be and your horse is coping with the work being asked of it.

6, Saddle checks! As your horse increases fitness they will also likely increase muscle mass/ reduce fat covering and therefore change shape. So don't forget to get your saddle checked.

Remember, patience and planning are crucial when it comes to fitness. Slow and steady wins the race! If you would like some individual help and advice based on your personal goals don't hesitate to give us a call🐴💪

Pictured is our gorgeous, very fit patient Rebel. A pretty special little thoroughbred who lives to cross country!

31/03/2025

Our wonderful Equine Nurse Anna offers FREE weigh ins, body condition scoring and diet advice. This is a very popular service that we feel gives our clients some extra care and attention. As an independent vets we are proud to be able make decisions to provide extra services such as this. Let us know if you'd like to schedule a yard visit.

28/03/2025

Time to spring forward - don't forget to set your clocks one hour forward this weekend!'

27/03/2025

21/03/2025

🧠 The Equine Brain: A Perfect Match for Their Way of Life! 🐴

Ever wondered how a horse’s brain is wired to help them interact with the world? The size and structure of the equine brain are key to understanding their behavior and instincts.

Horses have relatively large brains compared to their body size, especially when it comes to the regions responsible for movement, balance, and spatial awareness. 🏃‍♂️💨 This is no surprise, considering their ability to navigate vast terrains with incredible agility and coordination. The cerebellum, which controls movement and balance, is highly developed in horses, allowing them to make precise, fluid movements.

The size of the horse’s brain also reflects their heightened awareness of their surroundings—everything from detecting changes in the environment to understanding social cues from other horses. This instinctual need to be aware of threats and respond quickly has been honed over millennia, and it’s part of what makes horses so attuned to their environment. 🌳👀

Their large memory centers also allow them to form long-lasting impressions of people, places, and experiences—no wonder they are so deeply connected to the humans who care for them! 💙

By understanding the structure and function of the equine brain, we can better support their mental and physical health. As always, we’re here to help with any concerns you have about your horse’s well-being.

19/03/2025

This is genius! Vanessa used a webbing drum harness and some wire/ cable ties to make a likit harness so she can more easily do Dottie's eye drops on her own. We love this, and thought it deserved to be shared 👌🏻

19/03/2025

Anyone else's horse feeling spicey and spring like? 🐎💨

We would love to see your spring pictures of your horses 🐎💨

17/03/2025

15/03/2025

Rider Biomechanics: Why It Matters for Your Horse’s Health 🐴💡

As equine veterinarians, we know that rider biomechanics significantly affect your horse's performance, comfort, and health. How you move and position yourself in the saddle directly impacts your horse's well-being.

Here’s why rider biomechanics matter:

🔹 Balance and Alignment

A balanced rider allows the horse to move comfortably. Misalignment can create uneven pressure on the horse’s back, leading to discomfort, muscle tension, or lameness.

🔹 Reduced Risk of Injury

Proper rider biomechanics promote fluid movement and reduce strain on the horse’s muscles and joints, lowering injury risk. Misaligned riders can cause compensatory movements, increasing the risk of musculoskeletal issues.

🔹 Encouraging Proper Movement

A well-positioned rider helps the horse engage its core, maintain rhythm, and execute commands precisely, enhancing performance in disciplines like dressage and jumping.

🔹 Preventing Long-Term Pain

Rider posture affects the horse's back, neck, and shoulders. Misalignment can lead to painful conditions like muscle atrophy or chronic lameness.

What You Can Do:

• Work with a riding coach to assess your posture.

• See a physiotherapist to correct imbalances.

• Try Pilates to strengthen your core and improve flexibility.

• Take breaks during long rides.

• Stay mindful of your posture.

13/03/2025

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is a very common cause of poor performance and is a complicated multifactorial disease. Stress, pain, management, and nutrition can all play a part. It's amazing how many horses that have low grade musculoskeletal discomfort also have gastric ulcers as a result of the stress that being uncomfortable causes.

Common signs are...
1) Changes in their performance
2) Behaviour changes
3) Reactivity t o girthing
4) Low grade colic usually after eating
5)Loss of appetite or weight

The symptoms can be vague as well as also wax and wane.

If you have noticed any of the above signs and its playing on your mind, Give us a call to discuss. Its always better to know than to worry!

EGUS is diagnosed via a simple gastroscopy done at your yard, The procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes from set up to finish, and you can look around your horses stomach with us.

For anyone wondering this is Charlotte pictured on her mums horse Brody. If you haven't met her when she comes out and about with us, this is the face of Riversides' resident fixer who takes your calls and solves your problems with grace and good humour!🥰