B&W Equine Vets

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.

14/11/2024

**COMPETITION WINNER**
We had an incredible response to our Halloween fancy dress competition - everyone's entries were fantastic!! The winner of the B&W first aid kit, drawn at random, was Louise Winn with her son Freddie and pony Lottie - congratulations! 🏆

13/11/2024

**COLIC - EMERGENCY PLANNING**
8th-14th November 2024

Have you thought about what you would do if your horse had colic? There are several factors to consider, and time is of the essence in an emergency, especially if the horse’s condition is severe and they require a referral to a veterinary hospital. Taking some time now to plan ahead for some of the key decisions you may have to make will save time and alleviate some stress if you do find yourself in an emergency situation. The BHS has a great free emergency plan that you can download and complete, along with more information and advice about the planning process:

https://www.bhs.org.uk/horse-care-and-welfare/ownership-loaning/owning-a-horse/emergency-decision-making/

12/11/2024

**PREVENTING COLIC**
8th-14th November 2024

Colic is the most common equine emergency and cause of death in horses worldwide. You can reduce the risk by following these steps 👇

🍴 A diet composed of predominantly forage
🪱 Have a testing-led deworming plan in place
🦷 Regular dental checks
❄️ Gradual stabling for winter
🐎 Healthy exercise regime

Read the full guide here 👉 bhs.org.uk/preventingcolic

11/11/2024

**Colic Signs**
8th-14th November 2024

SIGNS
Colic can occur at any time of the year in both grass-kept and stabled horses. How can you spot the early signs of colic? 🔍

Here are the 5 REACT signs to look for 👇

😖🐎 Restless or agitated
🍎🥕❌ Eating less or droppings reduced
🤕 Abdominal pain
🤔🔁 Clinical changes
😴😔 Tired or lethargic

Time is of the essence when a horse has colic. Download the Emergency Care Plan available from the British Horse Society 👉 bhs.org.uk/colic