South Wales Equine Vets

25/06/2025

🐴💥 Is Your Horse Hiding a Stomach Ache?

Gastric ulcers are more common than you might think—and they don’t just affect competition horses. Even leisure horses and ponies can suffer, especially during changes in routine, turnout, or feeding.
Is your horse girthy, grumpy, or losing weight despite a good diet?
It might be more than fussiness—gastric ulcers are incredibly common, even in leisure horses.

🔍 Common signs of gastric ulcers:
– Girthiness or sensitivity when tacking up
– Poor appetite or weight loss
– Dull coat or cranky attitude
– Resistance to work or schooling
– Lying down more often than usual
– Changes in temperament
– Poor coat condition

💡 A scope (gastroscopy) is the only way to confirm ulcers, and treatment can make a huge difference in comfort and performance.

Call us if you’re concerned. A happier gut = a happier horse.

📞 01443 225010
📩 [email protected]

23/06/2025

Are Your Horse’s Vaccinations Up to Date? 📅💉

Vaccinating your horse is a vital part of responsible horse ownership; not only protecting their health, but also enabling them to compete and attend events.

🦠 Why Vaccinate?
Equine Influenza and Tetanus are serious diseases that can cause severe illness or worse. Vaccinations help build your horse’s immunity and prevent the spread of disease within the equine community.

🏇 Competing or Attending Clinics?
Most competitions, including British Eventing, BD and BS, require up-to-date vaccinations. If your horse’s vaccines are not within the correct timeframe, they may be turned away from events – even if they are just a day overdue.

📆 Vaccination Schedule at a Glance:
Primary course:
• 1st vaccine
• 2nd vaccine: 21– 60 days after the 1st
• 3rd vaccine: 120 – 180 days after the 2nd / within 6 months and 21 days of the 2nd

Boosters:
• Annual booster: within 365 days of the last vaccination. We do recommend giving a six monthly booster to maintain adequate immunity and to prevent outbreaks of disease. This is especially important in situations where horses are frequently in contact with others (such as when competing or being transported frequently).
• For competition, some governing bodies require a 6-month booster as standard, check the rules before entering ensure you are eligible to compete.

✅ Top Tip: Book ahead! Don’t leave it to the last minute – give us a call to check your horse’s vaccination status and schedule any needed boosters.

Need help? Contact South Wales Equine Vets – we’re here to keep your horse healthy and competition-ready.

📞 01443 225010
📩 [email protected]

20/06/2025

**SWEVS Laminitis Awareness Month**

🐴 Are you confident in being able to spot the signs of Laminitis early? If not read on....

🔍 Signs of Laminitis:
– Reluctance to move or walk on hard ground
– Rocked-back stance
– Heat in hooves and increased digital pulse

⚠️ Did you know? Laminitis can be a sign of an underlying hormonal condition—PPID (Cushing’s disease).
While spring and summer grass are major triggers, many cases are linked to internal factors too.

🧠 Signs of PPID (Cushing’s):
– Long, curly coat that doesn’t shed
– Weight loss or muscle wastage
– Lethargy
– Increased risk of laminitis

📞 If your horse shows any of these signs, call us. Early diagnosis and management are key!

For the month of June we are running our Laminitis Assessment Package, which includes;
🛑 An examination, Weight assessment and personalised weight management recommendation.
🛑 Laminitic foot balance radiographs
🛑 Blood test for Cushings / PPID and EMS.

This package is aimed to help manage or prevent laminitis, so it suitable for horses that currently suffer from laminitis as well as those that don't / may be at risk.

📞 01443 225010
📩 [email protected]

18/06/2025

🌞 Heatwave Alert: Keep Your Horses Safe This Week! 🌞

With soaring temperatures forecast across South Wales, it’s vital to take steps to protect your horses from heat stress and dehydration.

Here are our top tips for keeping your horse happy and healthy during the heatwave:

🐴 Adjust Exercise Times
Ride early in the morning or later in the evening when it’s cooler. Avoid working your horse in the midday sun.

💧 Hydration is Key
Ensure fresh, clean water is always available. Adding electrolytes to feed or water can help replace salts lost through sweat.

🌳 Provide Shade
Whether it’s a field shelter, trees, or bringing them in during peak heat, give your horse a break from the blazing sun.

🧽 Cool Them Down
Use cool water to sponge or hose your horse after exercise. Focus on the large muscle areas like the neck, chest, and hindquarters.

🚩 Know the Signs of Heat Stress
Look out for excessive sweating, lethargy, increased heart rate, or breathing difficulty. If you’re concerned, call us immediately.

Let’s keep our horses cool, safe, and comfortable during the heat! 🌡️💦

As always we are available 24/7 for emergencies so should your horse, pony or donkey need us we have a vet available.

📞 01443 225010
📧 [email protected]

14/06/2025

🏃‍♀️🐎 Man v Horse 2025 – We’re on Duty! 🐎🏃‍♂️

This weekend, our very own Sarah will be one of the dedicated duty vets supporting the incredible Man v Horse event in Llanwrtyd Wells! 🏞️

With competitors racing across challenging terrain — both two-legged and four — it’s vital to have experienced veterinary professionals on hand to ensure the welfare of every horse taking part.

Sarah will be on site throughout the event, monitoring the horses’ health and stepping in if any veterinary support is needed. 🩺🐴 Her calm expertise and equine knowledge make her an invaluable part of the team keeping this unique race safe and successful.

Good luck to all the competitors — both human and equine — and we’re proud to play a small part in such an iconic Welsh event! 👏🇬🇧

12/06/2025

🐴 Welcome Carys Reynolds to the South Wales Equine Vets Team! 🐴

We’re delighted to welcome the wonderful Carys to our veterinary team! She brings a wealth of experience, is highly skilled but also friendly and compassionate, Carys is a fantastic addition to the practice.

Carys has experience in all aspects of equine veterinary practice but has a particular interest in poor performance & lameness investigations and breeding & reproduction.

When you see her out and about, don’t forget to say hello, and be sure to give her lovely dogs Tally & Effie a fuss too 🐶💕Outside of work, Carys enjoys riding and competing her horses Ferdi & Tommy and spending time with her daughter and her daughter’s beloved pony Bubbles. 🐎💞

Please join us in giving her the warmest South Wales welcome!

📞 01443 225010
📩 [email protected]

09/06/2025

Another shout out to one of our partner practices, this time Corner House Equine Clinic who have teamed up with showjumper Jasmin Head to discuss the importance of wearing head protection when handling and treating our patients.

We’re proud to prioritise the safety of our vets and support staff.

📞 01443 225010
📩 [email protected]

05/06/2025

🌈 Pride Month 2025 🌈

This June, South Wales Equine Vets proudly recognises and supports Pride Month — a time to reflect on the importance of equality, inclusion, and respect for all.

We are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment for every client, colleague, and animal under our care. We believe diversity strengthens our team, our community, and the veterinary profession as a whole.

Whether you’re caring for a competition horse, a companion pony, or a much-loved donkey — you, and those you care for, will always be respected and valued here.

Wishing all our clients, friends, and colleagues a meaningful Pride Month.

03/06/2025

A powerful reminder from our colleagues at our partner practice Severn Edge Equine Vets.

Behind every visit, emergency, and call-out is a dedicated team doing their best—often in challenging conditions. Kindness goes a long way 💙

”

💙🐴 Be Kind to Your Equine Vet And Their Team 🐴💙

Behind every healthy horse is a dedicated vet who works long hours, braves all weather, and shows up—day or night—for emergencies. The team at Severn Edge Equine really do.
✅ They miss holidays, birthdays and special occasions
✅ They work day and night through the week and weekends
✅ They care deeply—sometimes more than you realize.

They are our heroes, but they are only human! They sacrifice so much to simply do their very best!
A kind word, a little patience, and mutual respect go a long way.
Let’s keep our equine community strong by supporting the people who care for our horses' health and well-being.

02/06/2025

Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) is a disease that can devastate yards and breeding operations — but what does it really look like when it hits home?

Horse & Hound have teamed up with Scottish Sports Horse breeder Caroline Ironside and Dr Richard Newton for a podcast talking about EHV. We are encouraging all horse owners, breeders, and yard managers to tune into the podcast, where sport horse breeder Caroline Ironside shares her powerful and emotional experience of managing an EHV outbreak.

🎧 Listen Now: A Breeder’s Battle with Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) 🐴🦠 Copy and past the link below to access the podcast

https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/4lJWCqAK5SkzooxuZfVfEleBf?domain=horseandhound.co.uk

At South Wales Equine Vets, we strongly believe that real stories can help raise awareness and protect more horses. Don’t miss this important podcast.

📞 01443 225010
📩 [email protected]

01/06/2025

Don't forget June is Laminitis Awareness Month at South Wales Equine Vets!

Laminitis is one of the most serious and painful conditions affecting horses and ponies—but with the right management, it can often be prevented.

To help raise awareness and support our clients, we’re offering a special Laminitis Awareness Package throughout June, which includes:
• Full clinical examination and weight assessment (using a weight tape)
• Gait assessment
• Body condition scoring and diet review & diet advice
• Laminitic / foot balance x-rays
• If indicated, blood tests – Insulin (EMS) and ACTH (Cushings)

Let’s work together to keep your horses happy, healthy, and laminitis-free.

Spaces are limited, so book your package today by calling the practice or sending us a message!

📞 01443 225010
📩 [email protected]

28/05/2025

**SWEVS Laminitis Awareness Month**

Treatment & Prevention

Laminitis can be a serious and painful condition—but with the right care, many horses go on to lead healthy, comfortable lives. If your horse has had laminitis or is prone or susceptible to laminitis it is important to focus on both immediate treatment and long-term prevention.

Treatment may include:
• Pain relief & anti-inflammatories
• Hoof support & corrective farriery – Collaborating with experienced farriers to rebalance the foot and reduce stress.
• Rest & controlled exercise – Strict stable rest followed by a carefully managed return to movement.
• Treating the cause – Managing underlying issues like PPID (Cushing’s) or EMS with medication, diet, and weight control.

Prevention is just as important:
• Regular hoof care and farrier visits
• Routine health screening, including blood tests for PPID and EMS
• Weight management – Especially in native breeds or ‘good doers’
• Careful pasture access – Spring and autumn grass can be high-risk periods

If your horse is at risk, talk to us about creating a personalised prevention plan.

Laminitis is manageable—with the right team behind you.

📞 01443 225010
📩 [email protected]