VetEquine Otago

19/09/2024

Tough work but someone has to do it.

05/09/2024

Last week, we farewelled our associate veterinarian, Dr Kim Becker Fifield. Kim joined the Otago Equine Hospital in 2019 as a new graduate and leaves to pursue a career in small and mixed animal practice. We wish her well for the future.
We are currently looking for a new associate, as are several other South Island equine practices.
There is a worldwide shortage of equine veterinarians; largely due to the after-hours demands that goes with this area of veterinary practice. A recent article in the ODT highlighted the challenges faced by NZ rural practices; after-hours commitments, leading to high work-loads and long work hours, were cited as the reason vets are leaving practice early.
The situation is of such a concern, that the NZ Veterinary Council are currently travelling throughout the country, meeting with local veterinarians to address after-hours issues; there is a meeting in Dunedin scheduled for next week.
Luckily, the boss is used to being on-call after hours………never straying far from the phone for the past 44 years. Although we will be short-staffed for the foreseeable future , we will endeavour to provide our loyal clients with the level of service they have become accustomed to. Situations may arise however, where we are unable to deal with urgent cases in a timely manner. We’ll attend to those situations as soon as we’re able to do so.
In the meantime, it’s business as usual at the Otago Equine Hospital. Spring seems to have arrived right on time, reminding us all that Otago is a great place to live.

27/08/2024

Foaling has begun. This lovely little filly was born on Tuesday night.

27/06/2024

Winter is upon us and what better time to get your horses dental examination done.
Our price is the same as last winter, $132.25 (incl GST), which includes our farm visit fee, sedation, a full dental examination, followed by floating of enamel points and bit seating (there may be an additional charge for top up sedation). Malocclusion treatment or extractions are an extra charge.
Our price does not include travel charges, we suggest getting a group together to help reduce this cost.

Call us on 03 489 8516 to discuss your requirements or to book an appointment.

11/04/2024

Great catching up with these 2 today. Every horse needs a Charlie Munro.

22/12/2023

The clinic will be closed from the 23rd December until Wednesday 27th December. We will be available for emergencies only.
We wish you a very Merry Christmas.

18/12/2023

Happy 25th Birthday to our very own Peter Gillespie

13/11/2023

Congratulations to Heather Sadler who won our winter dental competition and received an equine first aid kit. Thanks to everyone who entered.

16/10/2023

Such a great time of the year. Love receiving photo's like these from clients.

01/08/2023

The Otago Equine Hospital is repeating its winter dental offer.
Be in to win an Equine First-Aid Kit worth $350.
Every horse that has a dental examination between the 1st April and the 30th September 2023 will be automatically entered into the draw.

We have set our price at $132.25 (incl GST) which includes our farm visit fee, sedation, a full dental examination with mouth speculum and illumination, followed by floating of enamel points and bit seating (there may be an additional charge for sedation-top-ups, depending on the amount required). The price does not include malocclusion treatment or extractions.
Our price does not cover travel charges which obviously can be greatly reduced if group bookings are arranged.

Call us on 03 489 8516 to discuss your requirements or to book an appointment.

09/06/2023

“When you walk up to a horse with an idea in your mind, remember that it’s your idea, not the horse’s”……………………….so said Master Farrier, Dave Duckett.
Last month, the Otago Equine Hospital was privileged to host Dave for an ‘in-house workshop’ attended by our resident farrier team of Trevor Sutherland, Daniel Miller and Blythe Cruickshank.
Students of equine podiatry will be familiar with the term “Ducketts Dot”. A quick Google perusal best explains the term. “A simple rule of thumb called “Duckett’s Dot,” helps farriers locate the internal structures of a hoof without the use of X-rays. Shared first at the 1988 American Farrier’s Association Conference, Duckett’s Dot remains the most comprehensive, easy-to-follow system for evaluating the balance of the foot, something every horse owner should understand”.
Dave is amongst the most accomplished and acclaimed farriers and equine podiatry educators. A fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers (FWCF) founded in 1356, he was awarded the Freedom of the City of London for his prodigious contribution to the welfare of the horse. He is a member of the International Farriers Hall of Fame, in recognition of his original research into biomechanics of the equine foot.
Dave has competed in, and won many shoeing competitions, including the Calgary Stampede’s World Championship Blacksmiths Competition on two occasions.
Originally from England he has lived in Pennsylvania (USA) for the last 30 years.
Dave was invited to the 2023 Wanaka A&P Show to judge the inaugural Farrier/Blacksmith Competition, organised by accomplished Canterbury farrier, Gareth Griffiths and our valued colleague (and sage), Trevor Sutherland.
The competition was held over two days and included teams from New Zealand and Australia. The event was close and competitive with the Australian team of Stephen Riggs, Kane Green and Adam Tye, judged the overall winners.
It was an honour to host Dave for the two day workshop. In between the making of shoes and the sharing of knowledge, there were many humorous career moments relived.
Thank you Dave …………and a special thank you from our staff for their T Shirts.
Knowledge is for Sharing.

06/06/2023

If ever a win was deserved.

Congratulations to one of our lovely trainers Dennis O'Connell. Having had a few health issues with his horses, Dennis had a terrific win at Invercargill on the weekend with Aveross Majesty.

02/06/2023

Photos from our 2023 Otago Equine Hospital Vet Farrier Workshop.

A diverse group of vets, farriers, physiotherapists and trimmers, some travelling considerable distances, attended our two day event.
The aim of the workshop was to give participants the opportunity to apply remedial techniques for foot pathologies they may not see in their everyday work.
Foot conditions covered included;
- Keratomas
- Naviculoid Syndrome
- Hoof Wall Avulsions
- Angular Limb Deviations.
- Acute & Chronic Laminitis
- White Line Disease
- Pedal Bone Fractures
- Foreign Body Pe*******on
Time was also spent on gait analysis in relation to corrective trimming and shoeing applications. Radiographic evaluation of the foot to best manage foot mechanics was also demonstrated.
It was pleasing to watch the exchange of ideas amongst the attendees. As the saying goes………….”knowledge is for sharing”.

26/05/2023

An equine welfare charity that promotes and protects the welfare and wellbeing of NZ's sport horses.

25/05/2023

The more we use our new gastroscope, the more we realise it was worth the investment.

Dr Kim has become a ‘dab’ hand in guiding the scope around the stomach wall, through the puddle of gastric fluid into the pyloric area and ultimately, the upper duodenum (small intestine).
If only we had this technology back in the day!

If you think your horse may be affected by Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, give the clinic a call to talk with Angela or Kim.

22/05/2023

15/03/2023

"Can I help you?"
Meet our new office assistant.

25/12/2022

Feeding our hospital patients on Christmas Day.
There are many equine veterinary nurses dedicated to their profession but none more so than our Angela Wilson.