VetSouth Equine

17/09/2025

Keen to help shape the future of worm control - and go in the draw to win one of two $500 Prezzy Gift Cards?

With multi-drug resistance on the rise, making smart decisions around worm control and dewormer use matters more than ever. EpiVets (a regulatory, research and epidemiology busisiness) is conducting a survey on behalf of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to better understand how horse owners in New Zealand currently make decisions about managing worms and using dewormers. Insights from this survey will help identify trends in current practices and highlight where additional support or resources could help owners save time, improve performance, and protect their horse’s welfare.

Check out the below survey for more,
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15/09/2025

Gastroscope day is this Thursday 18th September - book now and make the most of our September/October Gastroscope Special $250 including sedation.*

Heading into the season is a great time to ensure that your horse is in tip-top shape before the year starts to get really busy! Did you know that between 60-90% of performance horses and racehorses are affected by gastric ulcers?

Have you noticed any of the following signs in your horse?
💡 Poor performance
💡 Resentment of leg aids
💡 Behavioural changes
💡 Anxious, stressy behaviour
💡 Struggling to gain condition
💡 Girthiness

These clinical signs may indicate that your horse is suffering from gastric ulcers. Correct diagnosis of this condition and identification of the areas of the stomach that are affected gives us the best chance of effectively treating and managing this condition.

Join us for our September Gastroscope Day on 18th September 2025. Call the clinic on (03) 217 6688 to book in.

Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is an increasingly recognised condition in our equine population as a cause of behavioural issues and poor performance.It is thought that between 60-90% of perform

15/09/2025

Have you thought about getting a faecal egg count (FEC) for your horse for the start of spring? FEC testing takes the guesswork out of worming.

Here's how to bring your horse's poo samples in to us for FEC testing:

1️⃣ Source a fresh sample – less than 12 hours old is best.
2️⃣ Collect three or four faecal balls and put them into a ziplock bag.
3️⃣ Squeeze the air out and make sure the bag is fully closed.
4️⃣ Keep it refrigerated if not taking it immediately to the vets (it can be refrigerated for up to five days, but do not freeze it).

It's an easy process and gives you the knowledge you need to make good drenching decisions for your horse. Plus, get a FEC through us this month and go in the draw to WIN a year’s free FEC testing!*

*T&Cs apply, available until 30/09/2025. This is for a limit of 4 tests, performed by the team at VetSouth Invercargill.

11/09/2025

Have you noticed your horses itching more than usual? It could be lice, which are a common problem in spring 🪳

To help you take care of these pesky external parasites, this month we've got 10% off Lice ‘N’ Simple.*

Easily applied as a single strip down the back, Lice ‘N’ Simple controls lice by preventing the development of immature lice in the coat.

*T&Cs apply. Offer available until 30/09/2025 or while stocks last.

09/09/2025

Week three in the broodmare series continues with a focus on strangles 🦠🐴

Your mare’s strangles risk depends on her environment — for example, how many new horses come onto the property, whether other horses on the property travel to compete, or if your broodmare will be going to a different property to foal down or be re-bred. Strangles is an upper respiratory infection that causes noticeable abscesses under the jaw and can have significant long-term effects on your horse. It’s also highly contagious.

Vaccinating your mare reduces her risk during the breeding season, especially when she may be mingling with different horses. A booster 4 weeks prior to foaling can also offer protection to the foal through the first few months of life via the mare’s colostrum.

🗓️ The initial vaccination course requires three doses, spaced 2 weeks apart, followed by an annual booster. This can be done alongside tetanus vaccination.

To discuss your broodmare's individual vaccination programme, get in touch with us on (03) 217 6688.

Our Southland-based team of equine vets offer a full range of services to help you care for your horses.

04/09/2025

Spring is the time to FEC! 💩🪱

We recommend getting a faecal egg count (FEC) check at this time of year to determine which horses require treatment for parasites. FEC testing gives you the power to manage your horse’s parasite load with precision – no more guesswork, just smarter worming and healthier horses.

Until the end of September, we’ve got some great offers:*
👉 Get a FEC through us and go in the draw to WIN a year’s free FEC testing!**
👉 20% off Fen-IverQuantel & Equest wormers (if required following a FEC check by us)

*T&Cs apply. Offers available until 30/09/2025 or while stocks last.
**This is for a limit of 4 tests, performed by the team at VetSouth Invercargill.

02/09/2025

Our second post in the broodmare series from equine vet Grace continues with a look at tetanus vaccinations 💉

Tetanus vaccination is important for all horses, and especially your broodmare and her foal.

Tetanus is caused by a toxin-producing bacteria found in our soil — and sadly, horses are very sensitive to it. Even a tiny wound can lead to life-threatening illness if they’re not protected. Foaling is considered a period of high-risk for contracting tetanus for both the mare and foal.

The ideal situation 👉 your broodmare is already vaccinated for tetanus! We administer a tetanus booster in the last 4–6 weeks before foaling. Protective antibodies from the mare will then pass to the foal in her colostrum, giving both mare and foal the highest level of protection.

It’s possible to start your mare on a vaccination programme during pregnancy if she’s not vaccinated. This will also provide protective antibodies to the foal via the mare's colostrum.

Foals born to unvaccinated mares should receive a TAT (short-acting tetanus anti-toxin) soon after birth. There is currently a bit of a delay in supply, so we strongly recommend that broodmares are vaccinated for tetanus this breeding season.

To talk through your broodmare's individual vaccination programme, get in touch with us on (03) 217 6688.

Welcome to VetSouth Equine. Working with you for happy, healthy & productive animals in the south.

01/09/2025

Did you see the great gastric ulcers webinar last week? TheHorse.com, an online platform about equine health care, hosted a webinar discussing the latest on gastric ulcers in horses with five of the leading international equine veterinary specialists on this topic.

👉 Check it out on this webpage: https://thehorse.com/1138396/the-current-status-of-equine-gastric-ulcer-syndrome/. It's a very interesting listen and you're sure to learn something that could make a difference for your horse!

If you would like to have a chat with one of our equine vets about what is involved with gastroscopy and the treatment of gastric ulcers, please call us on (03) 217 6688.

Five veterinary experts discuss the latest in diagnosing, treating, and preventing equine gastric ulcers in this roundtable. Sponsored by Boehringer Ingelheim.

29/08/2025

Did you spot our ad in the recent edition of the Southern Rural Life? 👀 We’re included on the equine feature page, showcasing our services.

We love what we do – working with you for happy, healthy horses – and we’re super proud to support our close-knit equine community.

26/08/2025

Over the next four weeks, lead equine vet Grace will take us through a special four-part series on broodmare vaccinations – everything you need to know for healthy mares and foals 🐴 ✅

It all starts before birth!

This week we’re kicking off with the vaccines your broodmare needs before and during pregnancy.

Giving your broodmare the right vaccines during pregnancy is one of the best gifts you can give her foal. When she’s vaccinated at the right time, she passes protective antibodies on through her colostrum in those all-important first feeds. This early protection helps shield the foal from diseases in its first few months of life.

Vaccinating also reduces the risk of abortion and helps prevent disease spreading through the herd. Think of it as insurance for a smooth, healthy start to life 🙌

To talk through your broodmare's individual vaccination programme, get in touch with us on (03) 217 6688.

Welcome to VetSouth Equine. Working with you for happy, healthy & productive animals in the south.

05/08/2025

It was a cracker day on Sunday to kick off the 2025/26 harness racing season. Vet Heather had a day out in the sunshine watching some excellent southern talent heading around the Winton track ☀️

We're looking forward to another successful season for our clients!

01/08/2025

Happy birthday all thoroughbred racehorses and any other horses who mark their birthday today 🎂🥳

We'd love to see a pic of your birthday star in the comments 🌟