Priors Farm Equine Veterinary Surgery

09/10/2025

Did you know some of our vets can even help your horse travel abroad?

At Priors Farm, many members of our team are qualified Official Veterinarians (OVs).

That means they’re the ones who can complete the health checks and paperwork needed for your horse to head overseas, whether it’s for:

-International competition
-Breeding
-Relocation to a new home

Our team is here to make sure journeys abroad are safe, smooth and fully compliant.

30/09/2025

At Priors Farm, we believe the very best care is care that works for you and your horse.

That means we’re proud to offer gold-standard diagnostics and treatments when they’re needed — but we also understand that every horse, and every client, has different circumstances.

Our approach is always:

-Welfare first, your horse’s comfort and wellbeing are at the heart of every decision.
-Open conversations, we’ll explain all the options, big and small.
-No judgement, we’ll work with you to find the right plan for your horse and your budget.

This is what we call contextualised care: combining clinical excellence with empathy, practicality and a deep understanding of the realities of horse ownership.

Because horses don’t live in textbooks — they live in the real world, with real owners who care. And so do we.

25/09/2025

How well do you know your vets?

At Priors Farm, we’re proud to be a stable, independent team — which means when you call us, you’ll be speaking to vets who already know you and your horse.

Why does that matter?

-Continuity — the same vet follows your horse’s journey, from first ni**le to full recovery.
-Communication — our vets talk to each other every day, sharing updates so your horse’s care is always joined-up.
-Relationships — we get to know our clients and horses personally, and that familiarity makes a real difference.

In a world where many practices are changing hands, we’re proud to stay independent, consistent, and connected — putting your horse (and you) at the centre of everything we do.

02/09/2025

Equine Dentistry & Tooth Extractions – Setting the Record Straight

At Priors Farm Equine Vets, we’re proud to work alongside highly skilled Equine Dental Technicians (EDTs) to provide the very best care for your horse’s mouth and teeth.

But here’s an important clarification:

While EDTs can carry out a wide range of dental procedures, tooth extractions are classed as a surgical procedure. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and the RCVS Exemptions Order 2015, only a qualified veterinary surgeon may:

-Perform any procedure that involves the surgical removal of a tooth (including wolf teeth and cheek teeth).
-Administer sedation or prescription-only medicines that are sometimes necessary for these procedures.

What EDTs can do:

-Routine rasping and balancing of teeth.
-Examination of the mouth, reporting findings to vets.
-Work under veterinary supervision for certain advanced procedures.

How we work together:

Our vets and EDTs collaborate closely – combining our veterinary expertise with the practical skills of dedicated dental technicians. This ensures your horse gets the safest, most appropriate treatment, whether it’s routine dental care or advanced surgical intervention.

The goal is always the same: happy, healthy horses with comfortable mouths and long-term wellbeing.

14/08/2025

IS YOUR HORSE TRYING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING?

It could be EGUS – Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome.

Gastric ulcers are incredibly common — especially in competition horses, those in regular work, or under stress. But the signs can be subtle and easy to miss.

Common signs of EGUS include:

-Girthiness or resistance to tack up
-Changes in temperament or attitude
-Poor performance or reluctance to go forward
-Intermittent colic
-Poor appetite or fussiness with feed
-Weight loss or poor coat condition
-Grinding teeth or crib-biting
-Lying down more or stretching out frequently

The only way to definitively diagnose EGUS is by gastroscopy — a camera exam of the stomach lining.

We can scope your horse at our clinic or at your yard with our portable equipment – no hospital trip needed!

If your horse is showing any of the above signs, don’t wait. Ulcers cause real discomfort, but with an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan, recovery can be swift and successful

Contact us to book a scoping or chat with one of our vets about your concerns.

07/08/2025

BREATHE EASIER: The Power of Omega-3 for Horses with Equine Asthma
Did you know that omega-3 fatty acids play a powerful role in managing equine asthma?

Chronic respiratory issues in horses—like Equine Asthma Syndrome (formerly RAO/IEAD)—cause inflammation in the lungs, leading to coughing, nasal discharge, and poor performance. But there's good news!

Supplementing with omega-3s, especially from high-quality marine sources, can:

-Reduce airway inflammation
-Improve respiratory comfort
-Support immune function
-Enhance overall wellbeing

We recommend Hestevard Omega Pro – a premium omega-3 supplement with concentrated EPA and DHA from fish oil, specially formulated for equine lung health

Backed by science, and trusted in our respiratory treatment plans, it’s a simple way to support your horse from the inside out.
Want to know if Omega Pro could benefit your horse? Drop us a message or speak to one of our vets today!

31/07/2025

WHAT ARE NERVE BLOCKS — AND WHY DO WE USE THEM?

If your horse is lame, a thorough lameness investigation often includes a technique called nerve blocking — and it’s one of the most valuable tools we have in pinpointing the problem.

What is a nerve block?

A nerve block involves injecting a small amount of local anaesthetic near a specific nerve or joint in the limb. This temporarily removes sensation to that area — like numbing your mouth at the dentist.

Why do we use them?

Because horses can’t tell us where it hurts, nerve blocks help us work systematically up the limb. If lameness improves after a block, we know the pain is coming from that region.

This process helps:

-Isolate the source of pain
-Guide further diagnostics like X-rays or ultrasound
-Avoid unnecessary imaging or treatments
-Build a targeted treatment plan

It’s safe, quick, and causes minimal discomfort — but makes a huge difference in accuracy and outcomes.

Whether your horse is showing subtle performance issues or obvious lameness, nerve blocks help us get clear answers and a faster route to recovery.
Got questions about a lameness workup? We're here to help. Let’s find the right path forward for your horse’s soundness and comfort.

24/07/2025

CHRONIC PROGRESSIVE LYMPHEDEMA (CPL) – What Every Heavy Horse Owner Should Know

CPL is a serious, lifelong condition that affects many draught breeds like Shires, Clydesdales & Gypsy Cobs. It's caused by poor lymph drainage in the lower limbs, leading to swelling, thickened skin, folds, crusting, and frequent secondary infections.

What to look out for:

-Persistent swelling in lower legs
-Skin thickening or folds around the pastern
-Crusting, sores or scabs under the feathers
-Lameness or discomfort
-Feather can hide the signs, so regular checks are key!

There’s no cure, but early diagnosis and consistent management can dramatically improve comfort and quality of life. This includes:

-Careful skin hygiene & feather clipping
-Regular leg cleaning and moisturising
-Controlling mites and secondary infections
-Gentle exercise & compression where advised

Concerned about CPL? Call us on 01342 823011. We can help diagnose and tailor a plan for your horse’s needs

22/07/2025

PPID (Equine Cushing’s Disease): Not just an old horse problem!

We often associate PPID with senior horses, but it can start showing signs earlier than you’d think, from as young as 10—especially during the change of seasons.

Signs to look out for:

-Long, curly coat or delayed shedding
-Muscle wasting, pot belly, or weight loss
-Increased drinking/urinating
-Lethargy or depression
-Laminitis (yes, again!)

PPID affects the pituitary gland and can lead to serious complications without treatment. Thankfully, there’s a licensed daily medication to manage it, and testing is simple (and often seasonally subsidised!)

If your horse is 10+ and showing any of the above signs, it’s worth a chat with our vets.

Call today to book a test or learn more about managing PPID.

17/07/2025

Experience You Can Count On, Care You Can Trust
At Priors Farm, we’re proud to be an independent, vet-run equine practice — led by Ben Chilvers BVMS, CertEM(IntMed), MRCVS and Duncan Harrison BVSc, CertEM(IntMed), MRCVS, who’ve both been part of the team since 2004 and at the helm since 2008.

With over 50 years of combined experience, Ben and Duncan bring advanced qualifications in equine medicine and performance, and a shared passion for honest, high-quality veterinary care.

They’re backed by a team of five further dedicated equine vets who work closely together on many cases — meaning that even if you regularly see just one vet, your horse benefits from the combined knowledge and insight of the whole Priors Farm team.

No business performance targets. No corporate spin. Just genuine continuity, trusted relationships, and veterinary care shaped entirely by what’s best for your horse.

If you'd like to know a little more about the vets behind the practice follow the link below to see Ben and Duncan in conversation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3O6SCVQU8M

Ben and Duncan at Priors Farm Equine Veterinary Surgery discuss...

15/07/2025

Is your horse at risk of laminitis—even without hard feed?

If so, Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) might be the reason.

EMS is a hormonal condition, often seen in good-doers and native breeds, where insulin resistance puts horses at increased risk of laminitis. It can sneak up silently, especially in overweight horses on rich spring/summer grazing

Common signs include:

-Fat pads on the neck, shoulders, or tailhead
-A "cresty" neck
-Recurrent or unexplained laminitis
-Difficulty losing weight despite diet control

At Priors Farm, we can help diagnose EMS with simple blood tests and offer tailored management advice. Catching it early can prevent serious issues later.
Give us a call to discuss whether your horse might benefit from testing or a weight management plan.

Let’s keep your horse healthy and happy for the long ride

10/07/2025

With rising temperatures, it's vital to keep our horses comfortable and safe. The BHA has issued updated guidance for racing during hot conditions, and we encourage all horse owners to review their recommendations.

At Priors Farm, we’re reminding owners to:

-Provide constant access to clean, fresh water

-Use shade or stabling during peak sun

-Avoid exercise in the hottest part of the day

-Sponge or hose down with cool water (not scraping it off won't make your horse hotter we promise!)

-Monitor for signs of heat stress

Stay vigilant and proactive—our horses rely on us to keep them safe and healthy.
If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. Let’s all do our part in this heatwave!

https://media.britishhorseracing.com/bha/Veterinary_Resources/BHA_Hot_Weather_Policy.pdfutm_campaign=15082225_BHA%20hot%20weather%20policy&utm_medium=email&dm_i=L78,8Z9IP,31CC1C,11HE4E,1