Pinkham Equine Veterinary Services

13/12/2024

𝐈𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤?

Dental care is an essential element of your horse or pony’s healthcare and primarily should be about preventing future problems. All of our vets are qualified to carry out routine dental appointments and they have access to a full range of modern dentistry equipment.

Whilst it is important that all horses, ponies and donkeys have dental checks at least annually, dental disease is more common in older horses and they may require checking at 6 monthly intervals. Signs of dental issues may include weight loss, quidding (dropping food), food packing in cheeks, favouring one side of the mouth when chewing and foul smelling nasal discharge.

Our vet Emma Hill has a particular interest in equine dentistry and earlier this year she completed a 3 day CPD Course in Advanced Dentistry for the General Practitioner. She said: “It’s essential that your horse’s mouth is examined by your vet or a qualified BAEDT at regular intervals. Rasping allows us to carefully reduce sharp points and overgrowths and balance the dental arcades. Our dental examination fee includes routine rasping and sedation, which allows us to carry out a thorough oral examination safely. Where dental disease is identified, we can perform dental examinations using a digital oroscope. We are also able to perform dental X-rays to help assist our diagnosis.”

Please call us if you would like to book a dental examination for your horse or pony and let us know if you would like to be included on our dental reminder service.

12/12/2024

We're very pleased to welcome Amber Segre, who has recenty joined our veterinary team.

Amber graduated from St George’s University, Grenada in 2017, after which she completed an internship and then spent two years working in ambulatory practice in Kent.

She has a keen interest in stud medicine and spent the 2021 stud season working at Twemlows Stud Farm, Shropshire. Since then, she has gained experience in both Thoroughbred and non-Thoroughbred stud medicine. She also enjoys all aspects of internal medicine (particularly neonatal medicine) and has completed internal medicine fellowships at Fethard Equine Hospital, Ireland and Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Kentucky, USA. She is currently working towards her certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice.

When she's not working, Amber enjoys travelling and spending time with friends and family.

11/12/2024

𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐃𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥
𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟏𝟒 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒

The Pembroke Centre, Home Farm Road, Wilton, Salisbury SP2 8PJ

Service starts at 11.00 am. Event finishes 2pm

Nativity includes some of Riding for the Disabled - Wilton Group riders and ponies. Visiting children welcome to dress up (or not) as Angels or Shepherds and join in the walk and tableau.

🎄Father Christmas visit with Moneypenny the Shetland
🎄Tombola
🎄 Merchandise
🎄 Christmas Cards
🎄 Raffle
🎄 Gifts for sale
🎄 Nibbles, soft drinks and mulled wine

Please come early to join in and take part.

For more information, email: [email protected] or call 01722 744822

Please join us at the nativity and carol service on Saturday 14th December.

You could win a £50 voucher kindly donated by Allium Restaurant when you enter the Raffle.

06/12/2024

In the autumn we heard that Becky Carter and her ex-racehorse Postman had qualified for the RoR National Championships at Aintree in 2025.

Postman’s progress is a shining example of the successful careers that ex-racehorses can go on to have after racing - in Postman’s case, this has included hunting and dressage, two very different sports.

It also highlights some of the challenges that can arise from horse ownership, as unfortunately Postman sustained an injury whilst out hunting earlier in the year. Happily, our vet Rich Bristow was able to attend, investigate the injury using mobile ultrasound and radiography on the yard, and assist with Postman's diagnosis and rehabilitation.

Becky is doing a great job retraining Postman – he has since won again at Dressage and we very much looking forward to continuing to follow their progress.

Retraining of Racehorses

15/11/2024

The current issue of British Breeder Magazine features an article by our stud vet Lucy Brock on Lawsonia, a disease that affects older foals and weanlings and is often seen at this time of the year.

Lawsonia has become an increasing problem in the equine youngstock population of the UK. Knowledge of the disease has been slow to spread, especially amongst non-Thoroughbred breeders, where it is often having a foal affected by Lawsonia that first brings this life-threatening disease to a breeder’s attention.

Lucy explains how the disease affects foals, how it is diagnosed and what the treatment is, as well as advising protocols for prevention of the disease. You can read her article on our website. https://tinyurl.com/y63k7s6c

By coincidence, the magazine cover for this issue also features our client Ben James and the filly Beaujolais Nouveau (‘Boujie’), who was awarded an Elite premium at the British Breeding Futurity Grading at Hartpury in July. Boujie is out of Mathew James’ mare Honesty, who foaled this lovely Nico x Johnson filly back in May of this year.

British Breeding Futurity

01/11/2024

Due to reasons beyond their control have had to cancel their clear round this weekend.

Soo as a last minute fill in we will run clear round ourselves.

Starting with poles going up to 90cm.

Please please book online so we know it’s viable to run, there will be limited entries on the day in cash.
HW Photography will be donating a prize of a portrait photo shoot for the best dressed. 🧙‍♀️

https://www.facebook.com/hwhorsephotos

Giddy Gallop will be service hot food and drink.

Sponsored by

🔗 https://www.downlands-equestrian.co.uk/product/confidence-clear-round-saturday-2nd-november/

25/10/2024

Following on from our recent post about Wessex Working Horses, here's an update from James about what he and Flynn have been doing recently, helping to move 30 tonnes of firewood cordwood to a stack site suitable for lorry loading at Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

23/10/2024

Congratulations to breeders Michelle and Peter Morgan, whose Carmel Stud has had exceptional success with all seven yearlings it consigned to Tattersalls Yearling Sale Books 1 and 2.

The stud’s beautiful Havana Grey c**t and an outstanding Showcasing filly both achieved excellent results in Book 1. Strong results continued in Book 2, with two more standout fillies by Showcasing (including the one pictured, out of Spright) and high quality c**ts by Blue Point, Space Blues and Pinatubo all selling very well.

Michelle said: “We’re delighted with how well our yearlings have been received. We look forward to following their progress - good luck to all their new owners.”

Full results for Tattersalls Yearling Sale can be found here.https://www.tattersalls.com/sales

21/10/2024

𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐎𝐓?

The end of the season is a great time to look back and reflect upon your and your horse or pony’s competition performance throughout the year. It is also a good time to assess any less than perfect outcomes and to address any training issues, knocks, niggles or other physical problems that may be affecting the performance your equine companion if your season hasn’t gone entirely to plan.

Now is a good time to assess the soundness of your horse – asking your vet to see your horse moving in hand on hard and soft surfaces, flexion tests and ridden if necessary. As part of the process of looking at the soundness of a horse, we can also gauge the general condition and in particular the musculature of the horse, and identify if any areas are weaker or under-muscled.

It's also the time to think about your horse's vaccinations and whether they are up-to-date.

See our full article on our website, or get in touch on 01722 741188 to arrange a visit by a member of our team.

The end of the season is a great time to look back and reflect upon your and your horse or pony’s competition performance throughout the year. It is also a good time to assess any less than perfect outcomes and to address any training issues, knocks, niggles or other physical problems that may be ...

18/10/2024

As part of our series showcasing the versatility of our clients’ horses, we’re pleased to introduce you to Wessex Working Horses’ Flynn and Dime and their owner James Foster.

James specialises in providing horse logging, woodland, wild flower meadow and pasture management services using his heavy horses. He also gets invited to take part in demonstrations with Flynn and Dime at Country Fairs, Horse Shows and equine charity events throughout the South West of England.

Flynn and Dime are both Shires, a breed currently classified ‘at risk’ on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust register. James said: “Flynn is 14 years old now and has a wonderful laid-back character, giving confidence to Dime, who is less experienced. The horses are fantastic for carrying out conservation work, particularly in areas that are difficult to access for machinery. They are also great at engaging people – children particularly love them!”

Find out more about the work carried out by James, Flynn and Dime by following their page Wessex Working Horses or by visiting https://www.wessexworkinghorses.co.uk

10/10/2024

Last Saturday, 5th October our Practice Manager Cath Grimsey joined other members of the Veterinary Voices UK Hiking Group, together with Vetlife Trustees and members of The Canmore Trust, to successfully complete the 32Km Ullswater Way Challenge to kick off .

The event, organised by Veterinary Voices Hiking Group, has far surpassed its £15,000 target and to date has raised more than £18,000 for Vetlife, an independent charity that provides support to anyone in the UK veterinary community who has emotional, health or financial problems, whilst seeking ways to prevent such situations in the future.

Cath said: “It was a lovely hike, and l was grateful to be invited to join old friends and meet new veterinary industry colleagues (and dogs!) to raise important funds for Vetlife. This charity does such great work, and I’m very grateful to everyone who sponsored me, with particular mentions to Pinkham Equine, Kernow Vets Messaging, AR Legal and IMS Euro. The total amount raised for Vetlife by this event is now more than £18,000 – an incredible achievement by everyone involved."

10/10/2024

There's still time to book your place at Downlands Equestrian Cldear Round XC, which is taking place this Sunday, 13th October and where we are pleased to be sponsoring the rosettes.

There will be a mixture of heights in each class starting small and gradually building in size and technicality - all designed to give you confidence..

Class 1 – Up to 60cm
Class 2 – Up to 80cm
Class 3 – Up to 100cm

Book now 👇

🙏🙏🙏🙏XC clear round 🙏🙏🙏🙏

PLEASE BOOK NOW

If you are intending in booking into our Clear Round XC this Sunday 13th October, please do by the end on Tuesday 7th. At the moment we only have 10
entries so we are far from able to run this day.

I will still be setting up three courses which will be available for schooling if the event proves unviable to run.

Book here, link also in bio 🔗

https://www.downlands-equestrian.co.uk/product/confidence-clear-round-xc-sunday-13th-october/

25/09/2024

Following on from our earlier news about our client Becky Carter and her ex-racehorse Postman, congratulations are in order after they finished 3rd on 68.18% in the RoR Southern Regional Dressage Championship at Blenheim International Horse Trials.

In doing so, they have qualified for the RoR National Championships at Aintree next year. Becky said: “It was a big atmosphere for him and he certainly felt very green. While our test had some nice moments, he was quite tense and a little 'behind the vertical' at times – but it was a wonderful experience for him and I hope that he will grow in confidence as I continue to take him to new places.”

17/09/2024

On Thursday, our client Becky Carter and her 11-year-old ex-racehorse Postman will be taking centre stage when they compete in the RoR Southern Regional Dressage Championship at Blenheim International Horse Trials.

17hh Postman was bred in France and raced a few times there before transferring to trainer Seamus Mullins in the UK. When he finished racing, Postman was bought initially for Becky’s husband, who is a Master and Huntsman of the Royal Artillery Hounds. Becky also enjoyed schooling Postman and when he didn’t show great enthusiasm for the job as Master’s horse, Becky took over the ride on him permanently earlier this year and started regular training sessions with a local event rider.

Postman finished 2nd in his first dressage competition at Tedworth EC in July, scoring over 68%. The following weekend he won at West Wilts EC with 72.05% and in August he won again at Tedworth EC with 73.48%, qualifying for Blenheim.

Becky said: “We would love to get to the RoR National Championship at Aintree. Postman is currently competing at Intro level as his canter transition still needs a bit more work. I’m hoping to move him up a level soon and am incredibly excited to start jumping! When time allows I will also take him out with the RA hounds and whip in to my husband.”

16/09/2024

As you may have seen from previous posts, we enjoy showcasing the versatility of our clients' horses and ponies, who are used for a wide variety of equestrian activities. We will be following the progress of some of them with regular updates on what they have been doing...

In the spotlight today is Simon, a 12-year-old 17.2 Warmblood event horse by Quasimodo Z who is owned and ridden by Tilly Swanton. Simon joined Tilly in January 2023 and they have been enjoying eventing at BE100 and showjumping at Newcomers (1.10m).

Tilly says that Simon, whose registered name is Quintus Grandia Z, is also known as BFG due to his size and his friendly and inquisitive nature. She said: "We're hoping to step up to BE Novice eventing by the end of this season, with the goal of working towards some 2*s with him next year."

03/09/2024

We’re very proud that the Pinkham Equine team was well represented at the Cheltenham Half Marathon at the weekend, with Fiona Lyon and Charlotte Fricker each completing their first half marathon. Charlotte finished in 1 hr 57 mins, with Fi just behind her at just over 2 hours 8 mins – excellent results.

Both Charlotte and Fi, pictured here at Cheltenham Racecourse alongside the bronze of triple Gold Cup winner Best Mate, report that they have recovered well and are now looking forward to their next challenge!

30/08/2024

It’s a particularly busy time of year for Practice Administrator Fiona Lyon, who has been preparing equine health certificates for our clients’ horses that are being sold at Tattersalls’ Somerville Yearling Sale in Newmarket next week.

The majority of Fi’s work involves supporting our vets who work with Thoroughbreds (racing and stud) and she’s responsible for ensuring all equine health certificates are up-to-date for horses going to the sales. This includes checking that all pre-export requirements (sampling, vaccinations and examinations) have been undertaken by our vets in order to comply with varying import requirements when horses are shipped to other countries around the world.

There will be no time for Fi to relax this weekend either, as she runs her first half marathon, which starts and finishes at Cheltenham Racecourse. We wish her the very best of luck!

26/08/2024

At Pinkham Equine, we actively encourage all members of our team to engage and improve their knowledge and skills through continual learning in their field of interest or expertise.

Earlier this year we celebrated the success of Cath Grimsey, who was awarded the prestigious VMG/ILM Level 5 Diploma in Veterinary Leadership & Management, having studied for this for 2 years alongside her full-time role as Practice Manager at Pinkham Equine. Now, as a member of VMG - Veterinary Management Group, Cath tutors others studying for that qualification and she was recently invited by RCVS Knowledge to take part in a podcast discussing Quality Improvement for Practice Managers – QI being one of the modules Cath studied as part of her diploma.

Listen to Cath talking to Pam Mosedale to discuss how QI can be just as suited to improving administrative tasks as it is clinical ones, enhancing efficiency and bringing the whole team together with a shared purpose.

QI techniques can be used to review and improve administrative tasks, helping to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency and profitability of practices. This in turn helps to improve clinical outcomes and bring the whole team together with a shared purpose. In this episode, our QI Clinical Lead and Ch...