Oakhill Equine Vets

Oakhill Equine Vets Equine vets providing ambulatory and clinic-based services in the North West of England. We are always here for free and friendly telephone advice.

Whilst Oakhill Veterinary Centre is able to take care of your veterinary needs for all species, this page is dedicated to the equine division. We provide ambulatory services throughout the North West of England and beyond. On-site we have extensive facilities for investigative diagnostic work as well as a modern surgery and anaesthesia suite. We also have the expertise of a European Speci

alist in equine lameness and surgery. Routine services are available 08:30-18:00 weekdays and 08:30-13:00 on a Saturday. Out of hours emergency services are provided for the remainder of the time, year-round.

THE SECRET TO COLD WEATHER HYDRATION 🥶Many horses decrease their water intake, below required amounts, in extremely cold...
09/01/2025

THE SECRET TO COLD WEATHER HYDRATION 🥶
Many horses decrease their water intake, below required amounts, in extremely cold weather for a variety of reasons, such as not wanting or being able to walk to a water source, water being too cold to drink, or water being frozen.

The decreased water intake can increase the risk of colic, as horses store large amounts of water in their gastrointestinal tract and if the contents become too dry, this can lead to impaction colic. This can be exacerbated in winter, when horses spend more time in their stables, are exercised less and eat an increased amount of preserved forage such as hay or haylage.

Here are our top tips to try and prevent this happening to your horse:
✔ Add warm water to buckets/drinkers at either end of the day to encourage water intake.
✔ Add additional water to bucket feeds.
✔ Break ice if it forms on the water source and remove the chunks of ice. Although horses can break through thin ice, it can deter them from drinking. Check water sources for ice at least twice a day and more often in colder conditions.
✔ In sub-zero conditions, floating an apple in your horse’s water buckets can help to slow down the freezing process, due to the bobbing motion of the apples.
✔ Exercise should be performed at either ends of the day to promote gut motility provided it is safe underfoot to do so.
✔ Monitor your horse's droppings. If reduced in amount, this may indicate slowing of gut motility so please consult your vet.
✔ Monitor your horse’s hydration status daily. If you do not know how, ask your vet to train you in doing skin pinch tests and evaluating mucous membranes.

DID YOU GUESS CORRECTLY? It was of course 🥁…a protective eye bandage!
06/01/2025

DID YOU GUESS CORRECTLY?
It was of course 🥁…a protective eye bandage!

JUST FOR FUN...Can anyone guess what our nursing team have made here and what it might be used for?! 🍩
05/01/2025

JUST FOR FUN...
Can anyone guess what our nursing team have made here and what it might be used for?! 🍩

EMAIL INVOICING FROM 1ST JAN 2025We have transitioned to email as our primary method for delivering invoices to all of o...
03/01/2025

EMAIL INVOICING FROM 1ST JAN 2025
We have transitioned to email as our primary method for delivering invoices to all of our equine clients.

Switching to email invoicing means:
✔ Quick and easy online payments: Via a payment link in your email.
✔ Reduced paper use: Contributing to our goal of reducing environmental impact.
✔ Improved efficiency: Receive invoices promptly, straight to your inbox.

What you need to do...
Nothing! By default, all clients will receive invoices by email (as long as we have a correct email address on our system).

If you wish to give us an email address or opt out of email invoicing and receive a paper copy instead, please let us know by calling 01772 861300 (option 2) or by emailing [email protected].

£1,400 RAISED FOR STREETVET CHARITYAt the start of 2024 we chose StreetVet as our charity of the year. They deliver free...
30/12/2024

£1,400 RAISED FOR STREETVET CHARITY
At the start of 2024 we chose StreetVet as our charity of the year. They deliver free, essential, and much-needed veterinary care to the pets of those experiencing homelessness across the UK.

This year we’ve raised £1,440.73 for this amazing charity, which will go towards buying medications, paying for life-saving operations, providing owners with daily essentials their pets need, and equipping the StreetVet teams with the kit they need when they swap the practice for the pavement!

Thank you to our wonderful staff and clients for supporting our fundraising events.

LOOKING AFTER OUR OLDER HORSES 🤍Did you know that 29% of horses in the UK are over 15 years of age! The life span of our...
29/12/2024

LOOKING AFTER OUR OLDER HORSES 🤍
Did you know that 29% of horses in the UK are over 15 years of age! The life span of our horses is increasing and although those years may be creeping up, age can just be number with many older horses continuing to have an active life well into their late teen years and twenties.

It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between normal ageing and signs of disease but common signs to look for include:
👀 Weight loss - which may be caused by dental problems, reduced digestion of nutrients through incorrect diet or parasites, equine Cushing’s disease (PPID) and chronic pain.
👀 Lameness - often from arthritis with a stiff gait or reduced range of motion through the joints. Sometimes we may see bony enlargements around joints.
👀 Lumps or masses in the skin layer or internal organs. These may not necessarily pose an immediate threat to a horse’s life, but often need to be addressed and managed for continuing the horses quality of life.

Regular check ups are an ideal way to ensure any problems are identified and treated promptly. If you have any queries about how to care for your older equines then please have a chat with our equine team.

Here is Corrie, 18 years old and still enjoys getting muddy with the Vale of Lune Harriers every now and again!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM EVERYBODY AT OAKHILL EQUINE VETS! 🎅 We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for you...
25/12/2024

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM EVERYBODY AT OAKHILL EQUINE VETS! 🎅
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support in 2024 💚. As an independent veterinary practice it really does mean the world to us! Our vets, nurses, yard assistants and support staff have thoroughly enjoyed helping you to take the best possible care of your precious horses, donkeys and ponies over the year and we look forward to seeing you all in 2025.

We hope you find some time to enjoy celebrations with friends and family, and we wish you and your horses a healthy, positive start to the new year.

📞 We are always here when you need us, with two vets on call 24/7, 365 days a year, including over the Christmas and New Year period. If you need us call the usual number, 01772 861300.

ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…TWELVE (+ FOUR) EQUINE VETS!We know it doesn’t quite fit, but appare...
24/12/2024

ON THE TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…
TWELVE (+ FOUR) EQUINE VETS!
We know it doesn’t quite fit, but apparently there’s not a sixteenth day of Christmas!
A big thank you to all our clients and their wonderful horses and ponies for all of your continued support this year from all of our dedicated equine-only vet team, all of whom who will be on hand at varying points over this festive period should you and your horse require us: Pete, Guy, Rosie, Leona, Nikki, Charlotte, Roisin, Rob, Jess, Kim, Sarah, Kai, Betty, Abigail, Matilda and Celina.

ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…ELEVEN VET PONIESA number of our team – for their sins – are also h...
23/12/2024

ON THE ELEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…
ELEVEN VET PONIES
A number of our team – for their sins – are also horse owners! Between our veterinary team we have eleven horses and ponies – meet Spot, Flynn, Ellis, Joy, Wilby, Corrie, Loveheart, Dora, Harry Styles, Dotty, and Mabel!

Between the rest of the team (nurses, nursing assistants and reception) we lost count of how many horses there are – in fact, we think some of our team are in denial about how many ponies they own, especially to their other halves!

22/12/2024

🎄 ON THE TENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…
10 KILOS OF FIBRE NUGGETS
Have a guess how many kilos of fibre nuggets we get through in the clinic each week… If you thought 10, you’re wrong! We use FOUR 10kg bags on average each week to assist with keeping your horses happily distracted during diagnostic procedures, or just as the occasional treat! Our yard assistant, Imogen, is a particular fan of the tasty nuggets!

🎄 ON THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…NINE CERTAVPsBetween all the members of our team we have a vast amou...
21/12/2024

🎄 ON THE NINTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…
NINE CERTAVPs
Between all the members of our team we have a vast amount of knowledge we can share between us, and whilst some of us don’t have our knowledge officially recognised (Pete…), we do have a grand total of NINE certificates in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVPs) between the team. Several of which have also taken their famously difficult exams in their chosen topic. Each certificate takes a minimum of two years to complete, alongside our clinical work.

We currently have certificates in surgery and orthopaedics (Guy, Rosie & Charlotte), internal medicine (Leona & Kim), lameness diagnosis and therapeutics (Roisin), equine practice (Rob), equine dentistry (Kim – our clever clogs with her two certificates) and Jess who has completed her CertAVP. In addition to this, Sarah is two-thirds of the way through hers, and Betty and Kai are about to embark upon their certificate journey in January!

🎄 ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…EIGHT BURRS-A-BUZZIN’Our vets are armed with their fully charged an...
20/12/2024

🎄 ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…
EIGHT BURRS-A-BUZZIN’
Our vets are armed with their fully charged and well-oiled motorised burrs for all your horses’ dentals! And they need to be! We currently have over 1,300 horses across the northwest who are on one of our care plans for their annual dental exams.
We are incredibly proud of our Equine Care Plans which serve to spread the cost of your horse's routine preventative healthcare out over 12 months, as well as providing other savings and benefits!

We offer three ‘levels’ of care plan. For more information go to our website: www.oakhill-vets.com/ecp, or speak to one of our team who can help you decide which plan suits your horse's requirements best!

🎄 ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…SEVEN SKODA OCTAVIAS‘Do you all drive Skoda Octavias?’ is somethin...
19/12/2024

🎄 ON THE SEVENTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…
SEVEN SKODA OCTAVIAS
‘Do you all drive Skoda Octavias?’ is something we quite often get asked. The answer is no, not quite, but a lot of us do! Sadly, as the Skodas die they are steadily being replaced with our shiny new branded vans, so we can be more easily spotted out and about!

🎄 ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…SIX YULETIDE YARD ASSISTANTSEver wondered who is taking care of your...
18/12/2024

🎄 ON THE SIXTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…
SIX YULETIDE YARD ASSISTANTS
Ever wondered who is taking care of your beloved horses, ponies and donkeys when they come to stay with us at the clinic? Well… it’s this lot! And we assure you they put in as much effort with your horses as they have with their costumes!

From left to right ➡ we have Holly (how festive!), Amy, Imogen, Amelia, Libby and Karen. Thank you, ladies, for ensuring every one of our patients have the best home from home experience!

🎄 ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…FIVE SHINY NEW 'TOYS'!In the last year we have invested in some real...
17/12/2024

🎄 ON THE FIFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME…
FIVE SHINY NEW 'TOYS'!
In the last year we have invested in some really impressive, state of the art equipment to assist us in ensuring our patients receive only the best!

If you horse requires X-rays on yard we now have a brand-new battery operated digital X-ray machine, taking us to two X-ray machines just for on the road!

If it’s an ultrasound scan your horse requires our new clinic scanner produces the most crystal-clear diagnostic images, assisting with lameness diagnostics and medical investigations.

In addition to all of this, we have invested in new motorised burrs for your horse's dentals and a neat little light source which can be attached to a dental gag - our dental guru Kim is overjoyed about this one!

Our fifth new 'toy' is Alpha2EQ technology which enables us to obtain alpha-2-macroglobulins, anti-inflammatory molecules from your own horse's bloodstream, which can subsequently be used to treat joint inflammation, soft tissue injury and airway inflammation!

🎄 ON THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME...FOUR EQUINE NURSESBecka, Leanne and Lisa are our qualified equine...
16/12/2024

🎄 ON THE FOURTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME...
FOUR EQUINE NURSES
Becka, Leanne and Lisa are our qualified equine veterinary nurses, and Clare will be completing her nurse training in 2025. Our wonderful nurses help Celina with inpatient care, assist with medical and lameness investigations in the clinic (and occasionally for a trip out on the road) as well as performing nursing duties in theatre during surgeries. In addition to this they have many less glamorous roles, such as performing worm egg counts, running the dispensary, and keeping all the vets in check – the latter being possibly the hardest task of all!

🎄 ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME...THREE EXPORT VETSRob, Pete and Sarah are all government registered...
15/12/2024

🎄 ON THE THIRD DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME...
THREE EXPORT VETS
Rob, Pete and Sarah are all government registered ‘official veterinarians’ which means that they are able to export horses all over the world. This year they have sent lots of horses to Europe, but also some as far afield as Dubai and America!

🎄 ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME...TWO TOP SURGEONSGuy and Rosie are our surgeons, and both are ECVS...
14/12/2024

🎄 ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS, OAKHILL GAVE TO ME...
TWO TOP SURGEONS
Guy and Rosie are our surgeons, and both are ECVS and RCVS recognized specialists in equine surgery, meaning they have undergone several years of training in surgery, passed lots of exams, and kept on top of their extra CPD (continuing professional development) requirements by completing research, writing papers, attending conferences and teaching other vets.

We carry out a full range of surgeries here at Oakhill in our specially designed operating theatre, such as arthroscopies (keyhole joint surgeries), rig surgeries, sarcoid surgeries and more. In addition to this, we carry out many standing surgical procedures such as resecting dorsal spinous processes (kissing spine surgery), standing laser and complex dental or sinus surgeries.

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Langley Lane
Preston
PR32JQ

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