Priors Farm Equine Veterinary Surgery

Priors Farm Equine Veterinary Surgery Proudly independent equine vet practice in Sussex owned and run by the vets who work there. Donkeys are more than welcome!
(28)

Priors Farm Equine Surgery is situated in the village of Forest Row, south of East Grinstead in East Sussex. Established in 1978 the practice was taken over in 2008 by Ben Chilvers and Duncan Harrison, and now comprises a team of four dedicated equine veterinary surgeons. We are an exclusively equine practice carrying out first and second opinion work, as well as taking referrals from other local

veterinary surgeons and we take great pride in providing a high quality service to all of our patients whether they are top level competition horses or family pets. Over the years we have built a reputation for being caring and compassionate, and we aim to spend as much time as possible getting to know our patients as individuals in order to tailor our services to their particular needs. We are a purpose built equine hospital with full range of up-to-date diagnostic and surgical facilities. Stabling and 24-hour nursing care is available to enable us to cater for you and your horse’s needs. On Wednesday’s we offer a zoning scheme whereby you can reduce your visit fee to £15.00+VAT. Please telephone the practice for ways in which you can reduce your visit fee for routine work. We are proud that Priors Farm Equine Surgery has attained the RCVS’s Equine General practice standard. This has placed Priors Farm as one of the few equine practices in the area to have been inspected and approved by the RCVS. We are also delighted to have attained approval as a Veterinary Nurse Training Practice.

Have you heard the hype about Omega 3? Not just relevant to humans, the science behind dietary fatty acids is coming on ...
17/10/2024

Have you heard the hype about Omega 3? Not just relevant to humans, the science behind dietary fatty acids is coming on leaps and bounds in the equine world with the predictable accompanying myriad of supplements.

Omega 3 fatty acids are commonly found in quality forage and have an essential role to play in the anti-inflammatory process. Inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection but too much inflammation, or inflammation that lasts too long can cause further discomfort, dysfunction or damage. A diet high in Omega 3 reduces inflammation, helping to improve comfort and reduce inflammation in the respiratory, gastric and musculoskeletal system.

In contrast, Omega 6 fatty acids are all about the pro-inflammatory response, and if the balance between the two types is wrong you can actually hinder rather than help! Ideally they are fed in a 1:1 ratio so picking your supplement well is important.
OmegaPro is a great supplement to support your horse’s wellbeing, especially if they are prone to chronic inflammatory conditions such as dermatitis or asthma.

Less than three weeks to go until our Junior Vets Open Day on 28th October! We have divided attendees into two groups, 9...
10/10/2024

Less than three weeks to go until our Junior Vets Open Day on 28th October! We have divided attendees into two groups, 9am-12pm and 1pm-4pm. Please contact the office on 01342823011 to confirm which group your child has been placed into and provide your email address so we can send you the full details of the schedule and a list of what they will need to wear and bring. We look forward to seeing you all on the day!

Less than one month to go until our Junior Vets Open Day!This is your last call to book a free space for your 7-18 year ...
03/10/2024

Less than one month to go until our Junior Vets Open Day!

This is your last call to book a free space for your 7-18 year olds to join us for a three hour demo and discussion activity session where we show them what it’s like to do what we do! Please phone the office on 01342 823011 before 5:30pm Friday (tomorrow) to book a place. Please remember younger children will need to be accompanied by an adult.

Once we have a full list of names we will notify you of groups and timings to ensure everyone has a chance to get involved.

We are very fortunate to be able to provide excellent surgical facilities here at our practice which enable us to perfor...
10/09/2024

We are very fortunate to be able to provide excellent surgical facilities here at our practice which enable us to perform more complex procedures under general anaesthetic. We work with several of the UK’s top orthopaedic, ENT, dental, ophthalmic and soft tissue specialist surgeons and hospitals to be able to offer you and your horse the very best elective surgery here at the practice, keeping travel local for clients and thus enabling you to visit regularly during the post-op period as well as being able to offer more consistent post-op care with our small team who our clients already know well.

If your horse is booked in for surgery under general anaesthetic there are several ways you can help to prepare for their say. The first is by to bring a clean cotton sheet and some feed from home as, while we can offer a variety of feeds here, most horses generally prefer what they’re used to.
Please remember to bring any of your horse’s regular medications and supplements, and their passport is required for admission. All horses must be up to date with their tetanus vaccinations prior to surgery.

All horses going into theatre need to be clean and well-groomed as any loose dirt or hair poses a contamination risk in theatre. We always take every possible measure to keep our surgical field sterile to reduce infection and this all starts with a clean horse. Even if they’re in for back surgery, muddy legs can carry dirt in so thoroughly grooming them prior to arrival at the practice is a huge help. If the weather permits, we’d recommend a bath for most horses to remove dirt from their skin before we clip and prepare the surgical site ourselves before surgery. We also regularly clip a patch of hair on the neck for intravenous medications as well as on the face to be able to apply our monitoring equipment.

No horses going into theatre are allowed to wear shoes. While we can remove shoes prior to their procedure it can be easier if you have these removed in the days before by your own farrier, you will be advised on discharge when it will be safe and appropriate for shoes to go back on.

After surgery the surgeon or anaesthetist will be in touch with an update on your horse and advice on when you can visit them yourselves. Please note inpatients can only be visited during office opening hours as a member of staff will need to be here to meet you.

Have you ever thought about becoming a vet? With Back to School in full swing, we are already looking ahead to the next ...
05/09/2024

Have you ever thought about becoming a vet? With Back to School in full swing, we are already looking ahead to the next Half Term on Monday 28th October when we are hosting a Junior Vets Open Day all about what we do. The day will be led by two of our vets, Sarah and Emily, who will talk attendees through what our day to day life is like, demonstrate and allow them to get hands on with a clinical exam and some games to test their skills as a vet.

The day is open to ages 7-18 and we will be running 1-2 three hour sessions depending on interest level. As usual, the event is free to attend, small children will require a parent or guardian to remain with them and goodie bags will be given out! We hope this will be an opportunity for young people to ask their burning vet questions and learn a bit about what we do.

To sign up please call the office on 01342 823011.

Just like a confectionary aisle in the supermarket, tack room and feed shop shelves are often lined with bright, colourf...
29/08/2024

Just like a confectionary aisle in the supermarket, tack room and feed shop shelves are often lined with bright, colourful packets of pony treats. With everything from flavoured licks to low-calorie cookies there is a whole range of options for treating your equine and knowing when, how and how much is very important.

The first thing to remember is that horse treats are not a complete food, although they do contain sugar and nutrients which will contribute to your horse’s complete caloric intake for the day. If they’re a good-doer or have a known laminitis risk such as suffering from PPID it is especially wise to be cautious in the quantities and types of treats you feed. Checking packaging for ingredients and sugar content can help you choose your treats more wisely, but remember natural treats like carrots and apples contain sugar too and should be fed in moderation.

Carrots and apples are a staple for lots of us to have in our pockets, but remember older horses and those with dental issues may struggle to chew them effectively so cutting them into slim lengths or very small pieces can make them easier to swallow safely, reducing the risk of choke.
Well-timed delivery of treats can be a game-changer as a reward for good behaviours and distractions during difficult moments (such as vaccinations which can be intimidating for some horses). They can be used as part of clicker training and other positive reinforcement training methods as well as for making friends and building trust with more nervous horses.

Stable licks (with or without molasses) can often be very high in sugar and are not suitable to be left in stables of horses who are overweight or at risk of laminitis. These are not the same as salt licks, which can encourage horses to drink and are helpful for horses to regulate their electrolyte balance.

You’ll often notice our vets carrying molasses licks in the car which help to distract and calm horses enabling us to safely carry out minor procedures, or can be used for luring their head movements to assess their flexibility as part of an examination. Using these appropriately as a positive tool can not only improve animal behaviour and welfare but also keep handlers and vets safer during the course of our work.

Do you have a favourite treat to feed your horse?

With back-to-school on the horizon, many of the ponies who’ve worked hard at camp and show all Summer are probably looki...
27/08/2024

With back-to-school on the horizon, many of the ponies who’ve worked hard at camp and show all Summer are probably looking forward to a slightly quieter routine in the coming months. While a bit of R&R can do us all some good, keeping those good-doers from getting too rotund can become a daunting task when daylight hours begin to dwindle and are filled with school, sports and a social life.

Lunging is a great skill for all young riders to develop, while more intensive than hacking and schoolwork it can be easy to set up and a great time-saver for getting ponies working. Remember that due to the circular movement there is increased pressure on joints on the inside of the circle, so make sure ponies are worked evenly on both sides, warmed up and cooled down appropriately and only use this form of exercise if they are comfortable. Once comfortable with the basic principle it is useful to include low poles or jumps to encourage good movement and provide some variety to the exercise.
Older ponies who suffer from arthritis, or those with other forms of joint disease may struggle with lunging so if you’re going to include this in your exercise plan make sure to use bigger circles with longer warm ups, and reduce the frequency of the exercise to allow adequate recovery.

Ride and lead is another time-efficient practice to work on when the dusk is fast-approaching. Always ensure your horses are appropriately equipped with hi-vis and bridles and choose quieter times if riding on the roads. Exercising two horses at once means you save time and they can offer companionship and emotional support to each other if one is prone to being nappy.

Adapting turnout to a track-system style can encourage movement and keep ponies fitter whilst also reducing the grazing area overall. Herd turnout will naturally encourage ponies to move and interact more, helping to keep those pesky pounds at bay!

Developing routines (such as filling all the hay nets, adding extra bedding and completing the bulk of poo-picking at weekends) can help to make your hours at the yard after school more efficient, meaning you can spend more time giving ponies the TLC they deserve. Regardless of whether they’re being ridden or not they will still require regular grooming, feeding and checking for injuries or illness all year round.

However you choose to keep your ponies trim, our vets are always on hand to offer advice and guidance if needed. To get in touch with a vet please call the office on 01342 823011.

Are you interested in becoming a vet? Every year, prospective vets-to-be contact the practice to request placement with ...
22/08/2024

Are you interested in becoming a vet? Every year, prospective vets-to-be contact the practice to request placement with us to see what being an equine vet is all about. Whilst we try to prioritise current vet students who need to fulfil their University requirements for Extra Mural Studies (EMS) we often have spaces for students who have completed their A-levels and are hoping to start a course in Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Nursing in the future. For insurance purposes at the practice we are unable to accept students under the age of 18.

On a typical week of placement with us, students arrive on the Monday morning and are given a tour of the facilities and a health and safety induction. We use this opportunity to chat and work out what their learning objectives are of the week and what their experience level is when it comes to equine practice. This helps us to place them with vets and cases which will help to support their progress to becoming fully fledged vets like us!

If you see a student out in one of our cars please do say hello! It can be intimidating spending week after week at new practices, learning new skills, routines and faces and for the most part the students do a fantastic job of adapting to this. Any students performing any skills are always supervised and guided by the vets and we always ask your permission before involving them with clinical work. While it is an important opportunity for them to practice (as we did when we were students) we will always put horse welfare first and make sure they are supported with our vets ready to help and guide as needed.

If you’re interested in booking placement with us then please email the practice at [email protected]

With the odd day of “real Summer” sneaking in more and more regularly, many of us are becoming more cautious about trave...
01/08/2024

With the odd day of “real Summer” sneaking in more and more regularly, many of us are becoming more cautious about travelling our horses. Most boxes and trailers in the UK don’t have air-con so how do we make sure our horses are comfortable and safe?

The important thing to remember is journey time, especially in a trailer it is vital to keep this shorter (ideally no more than four hours), or to stop and have regular water breaks. Soaking hay prior to travel can reduce the dust produced which helps asthmatic horses and can also keep them better hydrated if they aren’t keen on drinking.

Not over-rugging and keeping jerry cans of water to splash over hot horses is a must (as well as some to drink), as if you become stuck in traffic they can overheat easily. As with all road travel, it is useful to carry hi-viz vests for all passengers and a warning triangle to alert motorists to give you space if you break down. Having specific trailer insurance or a horsebox policy which covers alternative transport in the event of your vehicle breaking down will ensure that your horses can continue their journey even if there’s a problem.

Remember if you do break down on a motorway or in a dangerous location you MUST call 101 to alert the police so they can assist you. Don’t lower the ramp, even to increase airflow, as if horses panic they can escape and end up in the path of oncoming traffic. Having the What3Words app downloaded to help give your specific location saves valuable time in bringing help.

If you have any questions about travelling your horse safely in the heat please do get in touch on 01342823011.

School is out, the sun is… sort of… out and that can mean only one thing: Pony Club Camp! Whether this is your first rod...
25/07/2024

School is out, the sun is… sort of… out and that can mean only one thing: Pony Club Camp!

Whether this is your first rodeo or you’ve packed a pony and child off every year it’s important to make sure they’re set up for a safe and successful week of fun. Good preparation is the key to an easy week, regardless of whether it is a day or residential camp you’ve booked.

To avoid falling at the first hurdle, make sure your pony’s vaccinations are up-to-date according to the Pony Club guidelines (available here https://branches.pcuk.org/zetland/useful-information/ )_
Please remember ponies must have received their most recent vaccination no less than 7 days prior to arriving at camp, and pack that passport in a waterproof case for the journey to keep it protected and legible if it gets dropped!

At the start of camp the ponies are usually trotted up to assess comfort and lameness, your tack should be clean and well-fitted to your pony and in good condition (that means no baler-twine holding the buckles together- I’m serious!). Pack more than one saddle pad so they have an opportunity to air out between uses, this helps to keep skin healthy under the saddle all week. Practice your trotting up skills (remember your hat and gloves) and make sure your pony knows it isn’t a flat race straight into the next county, there are no prizes for loose horses on day one!

When packing your kit, remember a first aid box. This should include basic wound cream, bandaging materials and any regular medications your horse takes. Scissors are vital for cutting bandage materials and a few human plasters and antihistamines come in handy for the riders too! Include inside the lid of your first aid box a list of emergency contacts. This should have parents’ numbers, farrier and vet details should they be needed in an emergency.
Remember camp week is probably the busiest week of the year for most ponies, making sure they’re fit enough before they go and taking plenty of water buckets and sponges/scrapers to cool them down is vital. Ensuring you’ve packed enough hay and feed (it helps to portion it out before you go) and that supplements are well labelled before they get mixed up on arrival makes a huge difference to the ease of feeding time.

Wherever your ponies and their young jockeys are off to this Summer, we are always here to help with any questions you may have. Have fun and stay safe at camp this year!

It’s always worth making sure we have your up-to-date information on hand, especially in emergencies. Letting us know wh...
16/07/2024

It’s always worth making sure we have your up-to-date information on hand, especially in emergencies. Letting us know when your horse has moved yards, or registering new horses with us before you have to call us out makes the booking-in process much smoother.

If your yard is difficult to find it is helpful to download the What 3 Words app to give the vet an exact location to arrive at. Preparing this saves valuable time in an emergency as well as helping our team to reach you efficiently on a day-to-day basis.

You’ll often hear us talking about “foot balance” when discussing hooves and soundness, but what does this actually mean...
11/07/2024

You’ll often hear us talking about “foot balance” when discussing hooves and soundness, but what does this actually mean?

The outside shape of the foot, whether shod or barefoot, is actually only a small key to the “balance” of the foot. Even minor imbalances either mediolateral (side to side) or dorsopalmar/planter (front to back) of only a few degrees can have an enormous effect on the comfort and function of the foot. With the average horse weighing in at 500kg, a huge amount of force travels through each foot every time it is placed on the ground and any uneven strain can affect performance and cause long term damage.

There are several signs of foot imbalance including uneven wear of shoes or soles, lameness and weight shifting of the feet when resting. In order to ascertain the degree of imbalance, x-rays need to be taken to compare the angles of the exterior hoof and where the pedal bone sits within the hoof capsule. Using digital tools we can accurately measure the angles between the sole and hoof wall and bony surfaces are, and ascertain how correctly the pedal bone sits within the hoof itself. These images also enable us to assess sole thickness, which can play a major role in comfort over varying terrain, especially for barefoot horses.

We work closely with farriers and trimmers to bring feet back into balance, providing x-ray guidance for trimming and shoeing to adjust the external hoof shape and improve the relationship between the inner and outer anatomy.

Improving foot balance helps to promote healthy hoof growth and correct function of all the structures in the leg, reducing tendon and ligament strain, leading to a sounder horse.

We hear all about kissing spines on social media these days but it’s a lot less romantic a condition than the name sugge...
09/07/2024

We hear all about kissing spines on social media these days but it’s a lot less romantic a condition than the name suggests. Kissing spines, is the name given to when the dorsal spinous processes (DSPs), the fin-shaped bony parts on the top of the thoracolumbar vertebrae, sit closer together than ideal, sometimes actually grating on each other and causing significant discomfort throughout the back.

Kissing spines is often suspected if a horse has problems with having their saddle on their back, despite correct recent saddle fit appointments and they demonstrate pain on examination and palpation of their backs. Some horses can demonstrate aversive behaviours when ridden and handled although this isn’t always the case. The diagnosis is made with x-rays being taken across the back, allowing us to see areas where the DSPs have been too close and there is a high chance of discomfort, sometimes if the back changes appear mild on x-rays it is useful to inject local anaesthetic into the gaps in affected regions to see if this alleviates the signs of pain and behavioural changes.
There are two main treatment options available for kissing spines. If there is no significant bony change, steroid medication can be injected into the joint spaces to provide an anti-inflammatory effect, thus making the horse more comfortable. This sometimes needs to be repeated to provide long term comfort.

For some cases, the only option is surgery. Under anaesthetic the surgeon removes the impinging sides of the DSPs, just enough to allow space for the back to function as before, and this is done under x-ray guidance.

Regardless of which treatment option you elect for, kissing spines treatment requires careful rehabilitation under the guidance of your vet and a qualified musculoskeletal practitioner such as a Veterinary Physiotherapist (see our previous post about musculoskeletal practitioners if you want to know more, you can find a qualified practitioner in your area by following this link https://www.rampregister.org/the-register ). Taking time to rebuild muscle strength whilst maintaining suppleness and flexibility is key to keeping your horse comfortable long term.

If you’re concerned about your horse’s back pain then get in touch on 01342 823011.

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a condition where a horse’s metabolic system does not respond appropriately to insuli...
04/07/2024

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) is a condition where a horse’s metabolic system does not respond appropriately to insulin, one of the hormones important for ensuring the body utilises and stores sugars correctly, causing levels to skyrocket in the body.

Ponies with EMS tend to be UK Native Breeds such as Exmoor, Dartmoor, Welsh and Shetland ponies as well as many different kinds of Cob. They are at higher risk of obesity-related conditions such as osteoarthritis, with EMS being one of the leading contributing factors in laminitis. Their higher body condition score can put more strain on the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, exacerbating conditions such as asthma and impairing the body’s ability to build and maintain fitness.

If you suspect your horse or pony has EMS it is important to manage them on a high fibre, low sugar diet. Soaking hay for 6-12 hours will draw the sugar out making it safer to feed, and reducing sugary treats and high starch feeds will also keep their risk of developing complications and secondary disease lower. If you suspect your horse has become insulin-dysregulated to the point of laminitis risk it is often well worth getting a blood sample analysed for an EMS screen, which enables you to have an up-to-date picture of how well their body is metabolising sugars, and gives an indication of their laminitis risk. Using this information we can then prescribe medication to enable their body to respond appropriately to what they eat.

We have a weigh bridge free for use to clients here at the practice, just ring up to book a slot and pop in! Having an accurate gauge of your horse’s weight is helpful to set appropriate goals, know what their carrying capacity is and how to dose their medications. If you’d like to know more about EMS screening and what we can do to help you manage your good-doer, please call the office on 01342 823011.

The last few Summers have brought repeated cycles of heatwaves and rain, ruining our barbecue plans and leaving us const...
02/07/2024

The last few Summers have brought repeated cycles of heatwaves and rain, ruining our barbecue plans and leaving us constantly unsure if we really can leave the laundry out on the line to dry. These weather conditions have also led to repeated spikes in the sugars in grass and more and more owners are seeing their horses and ponies struck down by laminitis.

Laminitis is managed in the first instance by box rest, pain relief and time. Corrective farriery techniques can be employed to aid in comfort and recovery and this is often done with x-ray guidance from vets to help assess and correct the degree of rotation in the feet. Emerging studies are showing medications to help treat the metabolic causes which predispose horses to laminitis and are highly effective and we often provide these in conjunction with the traditional “bute and box rest” model.

The problem many owners face is keeping their equines entertained on long hot days in the stable for weeks on end. Limiting movement is essential to reducing stress on the feet so we always advise laying down a thick dry bed for your horse to rest on. Keeping hungry horses entertained can be tough when their main rations consist of soaked hay, so providing stable toys, ice blocks in hot weather and salt licks is an excellent first step.
For horses who get lonely it is always worth trying a stable mirror to reduce their anxiety, or have friends staying in the nearby stables, rotating who’s in so your horse has company whenever they need it. If your horse experiences stress even with these measures in place, it is important to talk to your vets about other options for managing their emotional comfort. Interventions from calmers in feed to anxiety-reducing medications can be useful tools in keeping your horse relaxed.

Keeping them cool in this hot weather is essential too, tin rooves on stables can make boxes feel like ovens in direct sunlight so regularly hosing horses off with cold water, or even installing fans can make a world of difference to their comfort levels.

Many owners cancel horses’ physiotherapy or other musculoskeletal practitioner visits when on box rest due to the need for minimal movement however with the right coordination with a veterinary plan it can be beneficial for bodyworkers to support your horse in maintaining their flexibility and core strength during extended periods of restricted movement.

If you need advice on managing your horse on box rest, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

01/07/2024

Having had a long and stressful year completing the second year of my degree, my own horse Ro recently underwent unilateral tenoscopy surgery to remove a torn manica and a Deep Digital Flexor Tendon tear.

She now remains on boxrest to heal until such time when we can begin her rehabilitation and treatment plan.

My work is cut out formulating an appropriate treatment plan and working closely with my fab vet Sarah at Priors Farm Equine Veterinary Surgery.

A big thank you to the wonderful surgeon Matt Smith and all the team at Newmarket Equine Hospital for taking such brilliant care once again ❤️‍🩹

PPID (commonly known as “Cushing’s disease” in the horse world) affects a growing number of equines as the UK has an age...
09/05/2024

PPID (commonly known as “Cushing’s disease” in the horse world) affects a growing number of equines as the UK has an ageing population of horses and ponies in the UK. Common clinical signs include a loss of top line, development of a “pot-bellied” appearance, abnormal coat, hoof, skin changes and behavioural changes. These signs are caused by an overproduction of a hormone called ACTH which is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain. Horses with PPID are more likely to succumb to laminitis and require careful management with daily dosing of pergolide, a drug which inhibits ACTH production.

Care About Cushings is an organisation which aims to improve awareness and diagnostic availability for horses and ponies with PPID and they offer free annual testing vouchers to cover the costs of the laboratory assessment of the blood sample taken by your vet.

Testing for PPID is done by a simple blood test which we can perform on a Zone Day, and samples are posted to the lab where they are analysed for free with the Care About Cushings vouchers. This means you only pay for the visit fee, blood collection and postage bringing in a huge saving, especially when testing is repeated to enable correct dosing of medication.

Working with Care About Cushings has enabled up to make many horses happier and more comfortable, enabling them to live a better quality of life. The application for the voucher is done here in house so you don’t even have to fill in any paperwork! If you’re interested in having your horse tested for PPID please call the office to book on 01342 823011.

Is your horse pre-purchase examination ready?Having a horse vetted can be one of the most stressful processes for owners...
07/05/2024

Is your horse pre-purchase examination ready?

Having a horse vetted can be one of the most stressful processes for owners, you’ve already worked so hard to find them the right home so how can you prepare to enable the process to go smoothly?

The most important factor in a vetting is handling. Horses who cannot be lunged or examined safely pose a risk to both you and the vet and can make it impossible to safely complete the assessment. Practice picking up feet, feeling legs and looking at their teeth to make the initial clinical examination much less stressful for your horse, as well as safer for the vet! Practicing lunge work, backing up, turning small circles in hand and trotting up in the weeks before vetting means your horse won’t become wound up by unfamiliar activities and you won’t be left on the end of a lunge line flying a big hairy kite! Remember to have a correctly fitting bridle available as this gives you more control in the gait evaluation phase of a pre-purchase examination.

Ensure your horse is up to date with farriery, dental work and the saddler. Loose shoes can affect gait analysis, and even cause injuries so make sure your farrier has the feet prepared for the trotting up and ridden assessment. If you horse is barefoot, making sure they are trimmed and tidy will enable to vet to assess the health of the foot looking it’s best. Any farriery or trimming should be done at least 1 week prior to the vetting, not the day before.

Teeth that are overdue a rasp can become uncomfortable, injuries can be flagged up when the horse is being examined and the pain can affect their behaviour when handled and ridden for vettings. Likewise ill-fitting tack will affect a horse’s movement and comfort levels, much like wearing a poorly adjusted rucksack it can cause tightness and soreness in their back which will be picked up as part of the clinical exam. It can also affect the quality of movement in a ridden assessment and make it difficult for your horse to show off their best steps and fitness.

The last thing to do as part of preparation is to effectively groom the horse. It sounds minor but caked on mud will affect examination of the legs and skin, and feet full of clay and stones could make a horse trot up lame!

A well-presented horse with solid ground manners and the right equipment available makes for a much smoother and safer vetting and very importantly allows your horse to show themselves at their best!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-W6i3mtk7c

02/05/2024

Do you know what to do in a drama? Most horse owners have developed a basic first aid kit/cupboard/carrier bag on the yard which has been carefully curated over years of abscess poulticing, leg bandaging and eye-drop wrangling. Knowing when and how to make use of the kit versus calling out the vet is essential for us all. In 2022 we hosted an Under-18’s First Aid evening to help young riders develop the judgement and skills to deal with pony mishaps and medical emergencies. If you missed it or need a refresh, check out the link below to view the talk now!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MaCMOEWKu0

Address

Priors Farm, Priory Road
Forest Row
RH185JD

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Priors Farm Equine Veterinary Surgery posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Priors Farm Equine Veterinary Surgery:

Videos

Share

Category


Other Veterinarians in Forest Row

Show All