Gil Riley Equine Vets

01/01/2026

29/12/2025

And that’s a wrap! 🎬✨

As 2025 comes to a close, we want to say a HUGE thank you to all our wonderful clients for your continued support. We’ve loved creating and sharing more content on our socials this year.

So, to celebrate the fun behind the scenes, we’ve put together our very own bloopers reel for you… enjoy the outtakes! 🎥😂

24/12/2025

Here's a sneak peek into a day in the life of team GREV....Enjoy 🎥

23/12/2025

🎄Christmas Opening Times Reminder 🎄

A quick reminder before the Christmas holidays are in full swing...

Our 24/7 emergency service will be available throughout the festive period. Should you need our urgent assistance, please don't hesitate to call: 07494062040

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas 🎅🎁🦌

Team GREV

17/12/2025

🎄 Christmas Opening Hours 🎄

The festive season is nearly here!!

Our 24/7 emergency service will be available throughout the festive period. If you need urgent assistance, please call: 07494062040

Wishing all our clients (and their horses!) a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 🎁🐎✨

Team GREV

13/12/2025

🦠🐴 Is That Smell Coming from Your Horse's Hooves? It Might Be THRUSH! 🐴🦠
Thrush is one of those sneaky hoof conditions that can creep up fast — especially in wet, muddy, or dirty conditions. If you've noticed a foul smell or black gunk around the frog of your horse’s hoof, it’s time to take action. 💥

🔎 What is Thrush?
Thrush is a bacterial infection that thrives in moist, unsanitary environments. It usually affects the frog and can lead to tenderness, lameness, and long-term hoof damage if left untreated.

👃 Signs to Watch For:
✔️ Strong, foul odour from the hoof
✔️ Black, tarry discharge around the frog
✔️ Soft, crumbly frog tissue
✔️ Sensitivity or pain when picking out hooves
✔️ In severe cases, lameness or swelling

🧼 Top Tips to Prevent & Treat Thrush:
1. Pick hooves daily – Especially during wet or muddy conditions.
2. Keep bedding clean and dry – Avoid standing in soiled shavings or wet areas.
3. Regular farrier visits – Keeping hooves trimmed and frogs healthy is key.
4. Use thrush treatments or sprays – Ask us, or your farrier, for trusted products.
5. Good drainage – In stables and turnout areas to minimise moisture buildup.
✅ Early action = easy treatment. Left too long, thrush can get serious — so don’t ignore the stink! 🐎💙

03/12/2025

🎉 The votes are in and the Nag has been named! 🎉

Thank you so much to everyone who took the time to send in a suggestion — you definitely didn’t make it easy for us to decide! 😅

We’re excited to announce the Nag’s new name is…Stanley! 🐴💙

Congratulations Laura Dunstan.

24/11/2025

🐎 Do You Know What Your Horse Really Weighs? ⚖️

Accurate weight matters more than you think—and it’s not just about condition. Monitoring your horse’s weight is essential for:

✅ Correct worming dosage
✅ Tailored feed plans & rationing
✅ Tracking health and weight changes over time

💭 Weigh Tape vs Weighbridge
Weigh tapes are a useful tool for regular checks, but did you know they can be inaccurate by up to 50kg? Such a margin can make a big difference when it comes to worming or medicating.

A weighbridge is the gold standard, offering fast, safe, and highly accurate readings. Until now, they’ve often been hard to access or expensive to use.

🎉 We’re excited to announce that a weighbridge is now available at the clinic!
Whether you're managing a good doer, supporting a horse in rehab, or just wanting peace of mind, we’re here to help you take the guesswork out of weight management.

📞 Contact us to book a weigh-in or to find out more!

19/11/2025

🐴💦 MUD FEVER: What Every Horse Owner Needs to Know 💦🐴

As the wet and muddy season sets in, so does the risk of mud fever – a painful and often persistent skin condition affecting horses' lower legs. 😟

Here’s what to watch for and how to help your horse stay mud-fever free this autumn and winter:

🧼 What is Mud Fever?
Also known as pastern dermatitis, mud fever is caused by bacteria entering through broken skin – often from persistent wet and muddy conditions. It can lead to scabs, swelling, soreness, and, in some cases lameness.

👀 Signs to Look Out For:
✔️ Scabs or crusty areas on the lower legs
✔️ Red, sore skin
✔️ Swelling or heat
✔️ Hair loss
✔️ Reluctance to move or signs of discomfort

💡 Top Tips for Prevention & Management:
1️⃣ Keep legs clean and dry – If possible, turn out in a mud free field! Alternatively, turn out wearing mud boots/chaps.
2️⃣ Wash mud off legs and thoroughly towel dry and consider stable wraps or bandages overnight.
3️⃣ Barrier creams/oil – Apply before turnout to help protect against moisture (Ask your vet for a recommendation)
4️⃣ Good drainage – Ensure turnout and stable areas aren’t waterlogged.
5️⃣ Clip feathered legs (if suitable) to keep the area cleaner and drier.
6️⃣ Speak to your vet – If you notice signs or if it’s not improving.

🐴 Prevention is easier than treatment – so staying proactive is key!

10/11/2025

🐴 Name the Nag! 🐴

Our most recent animal needs a name — and we want YOUR ideas! 💭✨
Drop your best (and funniest!) name suggestion in the comments below 👇

The winning name will be picked by Team GREV and announced on Monday 1st December 2025.

🎁 Winner gets one free vaccination for a horse registered with Gil Riley Equine Vets! (Visit charges still apply)

Ready, set… NAME THAT NAG! 🐎💬

‘Name the Nag’ Competition – Terms & Conditions

• To enter the ‘Name the Nag’ competition, you must be a registered client of Gil Riley Equine Vets (visit our website to register).
• You may submit one suggested name only in the comments. If multiple names are provided, only the first suggestion will be considered.
• The winning name will be selected by Team GREV and announced on Monday, 1st December 2025.
• The winner will receive one free vaccination (Flu or Flu/Tet) with Gil Riley Equine Vets either at your yard (within our visit area) or at the practice.
• The vaccination is valid for 12 months.
• Please note: additional fees, such as visit charges, will still apply.

03/11/2025

🎆🐴 5 Top Tips to Keep Your Horse Calm on Bonfire Night 🐴🎆

Bonfire Night can be a great celebration for us — but a stressful experience for our horses and ponies. Here are some essential tips to help our friends stay calm, safe, and stress-free:

1️⃣ Keep your horse where they feel most relaxed — ideally with a calm buddy. Sudden changes in routine or location can increase anxiety.

2️⃣ Manage the noise. Alternatively, attempt to dampen the noise with soft, calming music in the stable and keep the lights on to lessen the impact of flashes.

3️⃣ Stay informed, check social media and local forums for firework displays in your area so you can prepare ahead of time.Alternatively, consider moving to another stable yard while a display is on close by.

4️⃣ Talk to Your Vet
If your horse has previously struggled, speak to your vet about professional options to reduce stress — oral sedation can be a very helpful way to reduce stress.

5️⃣ Remember: Stay calm yourself. Horses are incredibly sensitive to our energy. If you're relaxed, they're more likely to be, too.