Dooneen Equine Veterinary Clinic

23/12/2025

Santa Claus and Rudolph popped into Agriculture House today to make sure all their paperwork is in order. We're glad to report that Santa and his Reindeer are now officially cleared to travel around the homes of Ireland. Happy Christmas to all. And thank you, Santa, for the selfie.

20/12/2025

Department of Ag reindeer clearance and paperwork sorted!!

05/12/2025

❄️ Winter Colic Alert: Keep Your Horse Healthy This Season ❄️
At KR Equine, we often see an increase in colic cases during the colder months. A lot of these cases are primarily caused by impaction related issues, which are often exacerbated by cold weather.

Factors Contributing to Colic in Winter:

⚠️ Reduced water intake – Horses often drink less when water is cold or frozen. Provide warm, fresh water to encourage drinking. Adding in daily salt or electrolytes can help promote healthy hydration.🧂

⚠️ Impaction from Dry Forage – Increased hay intake and reduced water intake can lead to an impaction colic, where undigested material blocks the intestines. 🌾

⚠️ Reduced Exercise/Turnout – Less movement leads to slower intestinal motility. It is important to maintain turnout and exercise as much as possible.🐎

⚠️ Sudden Feed or Routine Changes – Abrupt shifts in diet or schedule can disrupt digestion. Ensure all diet changes are slow and gradual.🪣

⚠️ Cold Weather Stress – Temperature swings may affect appetite and gut function. ❄️

👀 Watch for Early Signs of Colic
Reduced manure, decreased appetite, or signs of discomfort warrant immediate attention. Early intervention can make all the difference.

If you have questions or concerns this winter, our team is here to help keep your horses healthy and comfortable. ❄️🐎❤️

05/12/2025

30/11/2025

Why do we vaccinate and who should we vaccinate? With Off Duty

30/11/2025

Dr Orla Doherty has a piece in this weekends The Irish Field looking at vices in horses - well worth a read.

Vet and equine behaviourist, Dr Orla Doherty, begins a fascinating new series unpacking a selection of behaviours, helping us understand and respond in a more informed way

23/11/2025

19/11/2025

Had a chat with equine vet and parasitologist Nikki Walshe at the Irish Equine Veterinary Association IEVA25 conference…….

12/11/2025

🐴 Important Update for Vets & Horse Owners 🧪
New regulations on equine wormers are coming into effect from December, 2025. From this date, all anti-parasitic treatments will require a veterinary prescription, aligning Ireland with EU standards to combat resistance and promote responsible medicine use.
This shift highlights the critical importance of diagnostic-led parasite control — and that’s where we come in.

12/11/2025

11/11/2025

Lots of change coming - we will discuss the whys and how's over the coming weeks. There no more pretending that parasite resistance is a problem for the future - its here and its NASTY! and the law is changing so that we all have to do a better job at responsible worming and responsible horse ownership.

11/11/2025

Got some questions about things that go wrong with horses? Lots of info on our webpage -

Information Hub Click the headings below to access a wide range of veterinary articles and useful information. You can also print these articles for easy reference.