B&W Equine Vets

11/02/2025

**FEI Vaccination Update**

All horses that are competing under FEI regulations must now have their vaccinations recorded on the FEI HorseApp, alongside their passport. This must be completed by the attending vet at the time of vaccination. You can download the app at:
https://inside.fei.org/hub/it-services/mobile-apps/%20fei_horseapp
Prior to your appointment, you should:
• Download the app and create an account
• Fill out your horses' vaccination history
• Ensure that you have your horses' passport present at the time of vaccination
• If your horse is not microchipped, or a microchip is not located, we may need to remove any rugs and complete photographic identification via the app

You can follow this link for information on how to enter historical vaccination details:
https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/JixSCypV5uyljkBiQiRTx6AMV?domain=howto.fei.org

Please do not hesitate to call us should you have an questions or wish to book in for an appointment

10/02/2025

*Attention all clients - Wednesday 12th February**

We are excited to let you know that we are transitioning to a brand new computer system this Wednesday 12th February. However, this means there may be some temporary delays or hiccups as we make the switch.!

We kindly ask for your patience and understanding during this transition period. Our team will be working hard to ensure everything is up and running smoothly as quickly as possible - hopefully we won't look like this picture for too long!

05/02/2025

**SAVE THE DATE!**
New for 2025, the first B&W Equine Vets Stallion Event!

Coming to West Wilts Equestrian Centre on Sunday 9th March 2025.

Come to see up to 20 stallions on parade and meet their owners and stud managers. Our experienced stud vets will be available to provide answers to any questions on breeding and guidance on inseminating your mare.

Everybody welcome, free entry.
For more info please email [email protected] and follow our Instagram page

03/02/2025

*GASTROSCOPE AND OROSCOPE PACKAGE**

Take advantage of our clinic day at Willesley with special offers on a gastroscope and oroscope package or a routine dental.

Oroscopes are cameras that we use to look in horses mouths and assess their teeth and soft tissues. This helps us diagnose many pathologies early on including open pulps of the teeth, diastemas and also peripheral caries which may be linked to gastric ulcers.

All gastroscopes, oroscopes and dentals will take place at the Willesley Clinic premises (GL8 8QU)

Payment must be made at time of booking and is non-refundable.

If you will be making an insurance claim, the excess and Insurance Admin Fee must be paid at the time of booking and you must provide a claim form.
Medications and re-scopes are not included.
We regret that horses cannot be dropped off and left with us at the clinic, so you will be allocated a time-slot for your horse's gastroscope and will need to wait whilst the procedure is carried out.
Horses will need to be starved for a minimum of 10 hours prior to the gastroscope being carried out so that their stomach is empty (They can still have access to water during this time).

23/01/2025

**HORSE AND HOUND PODCAST**
Alex Wood, vet and equine behaviourist at B&W Equine has recorded a fascinating podcast with Horse & Hound discussing equine behaviour and 'vet-shy' horses. We hope you all enjoy listening to it! If you would like Alex's help with your horse for any behavioural issues, please call the Breadstone clinic on 01453 811867. Listen here:
https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/sponsored/vvet-shy-horses-with-cvs-equine-podcast-advertisement-feature-882744

23/01/2025

**JOIN THE TEAM**
We are looking for a vet support technician to join the Ambulatory team at Breadstone. If you are confident handling a variety of horses, have great customer service skills and are able to turn your hand to anything- from veterinary equipment care and maintenance to medication stock control and everything in between- we would love to hear from you. Apply here 👇
https://www.careerswithcvs.co.uk/jobs/vacancy/equine-vet-support-technician-bw0148/20755/description/

22/01/2025

**GASTROSCOPY OFFER**
Concerned that your horse may have ulcers? Why not take advantage of the great offer on the discounted gastroscope day being run by our vet Chiara Merlo at Breadstone on Thursday 20th February. Please call the Breadstone clinic on 01453 811867 to secure your place!

21/01/2025

The B&W hospital team are looking for their next Intern Vet - is it you? Apply below 👇

A glimpse of life as an intern at the B&W Equine Referral Hospital in Gloucestershire

07/01/2025

***APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED DUE TO VOLUME OF RESPONSES****

**New year, new job?**

We are looking for a receptionist to join the team in Breadstone - if you think this might be the role for you we would love to hear from you! Apply via this link https://www.careerswithcvs.co.uk/jobs/vacancy/veterinary-receptionist---administrator-bw0146/20638/description/

06/01/2025

**MEET THE TEAM - Alasdair Carr-Smith, Vet**

We are starting the New Year by welcoming Alasdair to the Breadstone Ambulatory team. Alasdair will already be a familiar face to many as he has spent the last year working at the B&W Willesley clinic. He graduated from Bristol University in 2022, and then after a spell in Australia working with racehorses he came back to the UK to join B&W, and has a particular interest in dentistry. Away from work he will be found riding his horse Murphy or looking after his cocker spaniels.

Alasdair will be taking over from Kate Rogers when she goes on maternity leave, covering the Winterbourne zone on a Tuesday, as well as regular appointments, and is looking forward to meeting everyone. To book an appointment with Alasdair, please call the Breadstone clinic on 01453 811867.

06/01/2025

**TRAVEL WARNING**
The roads in the Breadstone area are struggling this morning with lots of traffic jams, flooding and road closures. If you have an appointment at the hospital today please check the travel/ roads before you leave and give yourself plenty of time to travel. Please give us a call to discuss options for rearranging appointments if you are concerned , yours and your horses safety is the priority! Summer cannot come soon enough...

25/12/2024

🌲🎅Merry Christmas to you all! Thank you to all our two legged and four legged customers for your support, we hope you all have a great day !🌲🎅

12/12/2024

**🌲Christmas Jumper day🌲**
Members of the team have been taking part in Christmas Jumper Day for Save the Children today - show us you and your ponies in your festive get ups in the comments! 👇

11/12/2024

We are sponsoring the winter dressage league at Green Equestrian & Competition Centre - why not get out and about with your horse or pony this winter with the chance to win a prize!
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1094085042717311&set=a.636913401767813

WINTER DRESSAGE LEAGUE sponsored by B&W Equine Vets

Throughout winter (until the end of March), compete in one or more of our dressage classes at any show and earn points for our dressage league.

1 point per entry.
2 points if unplaced and over 58%
3 points if unplaced and over 60%
4 points if unplaced and over 63%
5 points for 6th place (any percentage)
6 points for 5th place (any percentage)
7 points for 4th place (any percentage)
8 points for 3rd place (any percentage)
9 points for 2nd place (any percentage)
10 points for 1st place (any percentage)

The winner of each level (Intro, Prelim, Novice and PYO Elementary/Medium/Advanced Medium) will receive a champion sash, trophy and dressage saddle cloth.
The reserve champion of each level will receive a sash, feed bowl and stirrer.

Results will be announced on Facebook on 28th March and prizes will be able to be collected from this date.

We would love to set up a jumping league if any businesses would like to sponsor the prizes for a league. Please contact [email protected] to discuss options.

09/12/2024

**CHRISTMAS OPENING**
With the festive period fast approaching, don't forget to plan ahead and order any medication your horse or pony might need - leaving you free to write your horsey wish list for Father Christmas! 🎅

26/11/2024

Amazing work by Breadstone vet Alex Wood- if you have a horse that you think may benefit from Alex's input, please call the clinic on 01453 811867 and Alex will be very happy to help.

Did you know our Alex Wood B&W Equine Vets is an equine vet and behaviourist?

She’s recently helped mare Beta – referred for significant forelimb lameness - who has an extreme fear of veterinary settings.

Beta's vet & needle phobia manifested as panic upon any examination or procedure. Her behavioural response was extreme escape – high-speed pulling back or barging forward to create space between her & a vet - making any examination or treatment very challenging.

Upon arrival B&W Equine Vets Beta underwent behavioural examination & Alex created a tailored plan – to keep stress levels low & change her emotional response.

This started with day before admission - so Beta could settle & to allow for several training sessions. Beta was stabled in the company of other horses. Potential stressors, such as the weigh bridge, were avoided. She was also given anti-anxiety medications prior to any handling.

Alex then proceeded to retrain Beta's responses to examination & injections through positive reinforcement ‘clicker training’. By breaking each procedure down into small steps, Alex was able to gradually desensitise Beta to the procedures without her reaching her emotional threshold. It was clear that firm restraint was also a stressor for Beta, so this was all done with virtually no lead rope pressure. The clicker training gave Beta a sense of control over the situation & allowed her to start to make positive associations with Alex.

The following day, as Beta's baseline stress levels were low & her responses to examination had been retrained, Nadine Ogden was able to palpate & treat Beta's limb without any issues. Beta was then discharged with the recommendation of anti-anxiety medications & EMLA cream ahead of vet visits & further at home training.

Though Alex already holds a master's degree in clinical animal behaviour, she is currently working towards full Veterinary Behaviourist Accreditation. Thank you for this work you are doing over and above to provide the best care for the horses you treat!

19/11/2024

**Luna**
Warning - images of wounds
Willesley vet Tom was called to assist with the rescue of Luna.
After being spooked in her field, Luna jumped the gate and bolted, and in her panic fell into the river. With the assistance of Avon Fire & Rescue Service Luna was walked out of the river and back to her stable. She had several injuries to her legs, flanks and chest which Tom cleaned and sutured, and prescribed a course of antibiotics.
After a period of rest and TLC from her owners, we are pleased to see that Luna is now fully recovered, and is back in work sporting a smart new clip!
Thank you to Lunas owners for the pictures and letting us share her story.

15/11/2024

**MEET THE TEAM - Elise Dudley- Vet support technician**

Hello, I’m Elise! I joined B&W team around 2 years ago after graduating. I have worked both in the hospital as a PCA and now work on the Ambulatory team as a vet support tech. I really enjoy travelling around the countryside, meeting new and familiar faces. I have a specific interest in radiography and gastroscopy.
In my free time I enjoy riding my horse Max, walking my dog, skiing and going out with friends.