Equispes Clinical Services

19/03/2025

We’ve got a nose for equine health!
You can expect dedicated care from nose to tail.

12/03/2025

Keyhole surgery and laparoscopies are often used interchangeably, but there are slight differences between them.

Keyhole surgery is a general term for minimally invasive procedures performed through small incisions. A laparoscopy is a specific type of keyhole surgery that involves inserting a camera (laparoscope) and surgical instruments into the abdomen or pelvis through small incisions.

This image is from the first laparoscopy in Namibia done by Dr Arnold Mahne. The surgical assistant was the very competent Sr Nina Bridgens-Foerster.
The horse's left testicle was in the abdomen. With the key-hole surgery, it could be removed standing. A week and the horse can return to normal routine.

Equifarm Veterinary Practice
📷 Guido Nowack

05/03/2025

Your horse’s health should be the “mane” attraction!

At Equispes we provide expert equine care to keep them feeling their best. Our services include:
🐴 All routine work
🐴 Lameness examinations
🐴 Dentistry
🐴 Colics, wounds, etc.
🐴 Consultancy and referral surgery

09/12/2024

We are open until Friday 20 December and will open again on Monday 6 January 2025.

05/12/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GLQZdjp7e/

14/08/2024

After a refreshing break, we're thrilled to be back in the saddle and ready to care for your beloved horses!

25/07/2024

Fun fact, I enjoy some horseback riding in my free time 🐴😉

Kindly note that we'll be out of office from 27 July and will return on Monday, 12 August.
In case of an emergency please contact our friends at Wellington Animal Hospital Group on 021 873 1196

30/05/2024

Time flies when you enjoy what you do.
This month marks the 3rd birthday of our practice, Equispes Clinical Services, founded in May 2021.
Thank you for your ongoing support 🎉

02/05/2024

We’re honoured to be associated with such an esteemed group of horses. Thanks, South African Lipizzaners.

Terrific Tuesdays 🌟🦄

A massive thanks to Dr. Arnold Mahne of Equispes Clinical Services for their ongoing sponsorship! 🐴 Recently, Dr. Mahne performed a dental procedure on one of our stallions, and we couldn't be happier with the results. The stallion is doing exceptionally well thanks to the expertise and care of Dr. Mahne and his team.

We're beyond grateful for their support and dedication to our beloved South African Lipizzaners!

01/05/2024

On this lovely International Workers’ Day, let me introduce you to our new groom, Edmore.

Happy to have you on our team. 🐴

24/04/2024

As colder weather starts to set in we admire the horses' resilience, with their thick coats and sturdy hooves, but ensuring proper care and nutrition remains crucial for their well-being during winter months. If you're unsure about any health aspects, rather get in contact with us. 🐴❄️

28/03/2024

Masimba joined Equispes in February 2022 as general equine assistant and quickly became my right-hand man.

He is an expert in the handling of horses, after working at Lammerskraal Stud in Ceres for 8 years. Masimba will now be starting a new position at Paardeberg Stud and we wish him all of the best with his endeavours.

19/03/2024

https://www.facebook.com/share/uLVgFofmw5CFofZW/?mibextid=oFDknk

13/03/2024

Other common cases that can be operated on with standing laparoscopy include:
🐴 Abdominal rig/abdominal cryptorchid, where one or both testicles have not descended and therefore cannot be removed with normal castration
🐴 Closure of Nephrosplenic space, after Nephrosplenic entrapment as cause of colic
There are many others, but these are the most common.


Assisted by Dr Bongani Qekwana

07/03/2024

For the love of horses!

We love what we do. Especially when we get to work with like-minded individuals in our field. Cases such as the one shared the past few days (a personal highlight of ours), are why we continue to do what we do.

We look forward to a 2024 filled with similar highlights and recoveries.


Cape Vet Equine Practice (Dr Lauren Brewis)
Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital (Dr Francois Triegaardt)

06/03/2024

Vacancy for groom/general equine assistant in Cape Town

Equispes Clinical Services has a vacancy for a groom/general equine assistant, to start 1 April or as soon as possible.

We are a mobile equine veterinary practice, based in Panorama, Cape Town.

Duties will include:
- Handling of horses
- Keeping the practice vehicle ready for call-outs
- Taking care of equipment
- Gardening and maintenance of the premises
- Driving (with valid SA license or equivalent) will be a bonus, although not essential.
Minimum requirements
- Be able to read, write and communicate in English
- Previous experience with horses, with references.

Salary will be marked related and will take experience and skill (also driving) into consideration.

Please note accommodation and transport are not provided and will be the groom’s responsibility.

Please send CV to [email protected].

Applicants should consider their application unsuccessful if they had no response by 1 April.

01/03/2024

This 16 year old mare was referred by Dr Lauren Brewis, Cape Veterinary Equine Practice. The mare started showing stallion-like behaviour and aggression. Dr Brewis diagnosed her with a granulosa cell tumour of the left o***y. The o***y was 9cm in diameter.

The surgery was performed under standing sedation at Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital. Dr Francois Triegaardt was the assistant surgeon.
With the key-hole surgery, the o***y/tumour was dissected loose with a Ligasure. Once loose, it was placed in a custom-made retrieval bag, which allowed it to be cut in smaller pieces and removed via a ±5cm incision.
The mare was discharged 2 days later and returned to work after 6 weeks.
She made a full recovery and her behaviour returned to normal.


Cape Vet Equine Practice (Dr Lauren Brewis)
Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital (Dr Francois Triegaardt)

29/02/2024

We’re excited to share this case with you, which was probably our highlight of 2023.

Dr. Mahne himself specially built another mobile crush (one made of wood, you'll see it in the photo) to be able to handle the case and such cases, as the sides need to be low enough to perform surgery in the flank.

Will share more on this one tomorrow.


Cape Vet Equine Practice (Dr Lauren Brewis)
Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital (Dr Francois Triegaardt)