Barwon Equine Hospital

25/04/2025

Please note that the clinic will be closed on Friday 25th April, 2025 for the Anzac Day public holiday.
If you have an emergency, please call the on call veterinarian on 0418 520 533.
Lest we forget.

16/04/2025

Easter 2025 Hours:
Good Friday: closed
Easter Saturday: closed
Easter Sunday: closed
Easter Monday: closed
An on call vet will be available to our clients, for emergencies only, on the after hours number 0418 520 533.

14/04/2025

Did you know that ACTH levels are significantly higher in the Autumn months, making it a great time to test a horse you suspect may have Cushings Disease. Testing for ACTH requires a single blood sample. Contact the clinic to book your horse in on (03) 52 488 899.

09/04/2025

We are holding a last minute Gastroscope Day!
Make the most of our school holiday scoping day and book your horse or pony in! We offer stabling and fasting available for the night before to take out the hassle for you.
Please call the clinic if you have any questions and to book! 🐴🩺🔭

03/04/2025

Are you competing in the State Interschool Championships this school holidays?
Are you aware that your horse may be subject to doping control at this event?
Do you know if the medication your horse is getting is a banned or controlled medication at these events?
Do you know the detection times and withhold times for any medication your horse may be taking? e.g. Prascend, Prevequine, Meloxicam, Bute, Dexamethasone
If not - you need to be having that conversation with your veterinarian now!

01/04/2025

ANSWER TIME! ... Did you get your answers correct?

Thank you everyone for your

31/03/2025

That's right ... it is ALWAYS time to call the vet if you think your horse has damaged their eye! Now lets get those brains going! Please see our second image below for our next question - Answers coming soon! 🐴🩺🧠👀

30/03/2025

Time for another interactive post! This week, we're talking all things EYES! So get your comments in...When is it time to call the vet if you think your horse has a sore eye? Answers will be revealed in the next 48 hours! 🩺🐴🤓👀👁

20/03/2025

Stringhalt

While there has been a small amount of rain on the radar, unfortunately the extended dry period into Autumn this year has left many paddocks carrying w**ds rather than pasture. In the past fortnight we have had several cases of stringhalt recorded in our region.

Australian stringhalt is a neurological condition where horses exhibit involuntary, exaggerated flexion of the hock joint when moving the hindlimbs. The condition can affect one or both limbs and horses may also exhibit a hoarse roar when they whinny.

Flatw**d, dandelion and marshmallow w**d are the most commonly implicated. It is postulated that these plants produce toxic metabolites that impact the peripheral nerves, causing the gait abnormality. The condition can be progressive, with the gait abnormality becoming more severe over time.

Horses with stringhalt often recover spontaneously when removed from the toxic pastures, but recovery can take months and some horses will not recover. For other horses, the stringhalt action will spontaneously re-appear during moments of stress, long after apparent recovery.

There is no specific treatment for stringhalt - removing horses from the toxic pastures and providing adequate nutrition and support are the current recommendations. Supplementation with thiamine (Vitamin B1), Vitamin E and magnesium is recommended. Taurine is another supplement that has anecdotally helped some horses. Badly affected cases may need sedative based medication to keep calm and rested while recovering.

If you have concerns about your horse, please call the clinic on (03) 52 488 899.

14/03/2025

Clipping - Part 3 - Sedation

If you have no option but to sedate your horse for clipping to be completed safely, please consider that in our jurisdiction, sedation must be provided via a vet with a bona fide patient/client relationship, who has prescribed it specifically for the horse being clipped. This also applies to sedation for dentistry or farriery.

This allows for:
-appropriate dosing for weight, breed and temperament
-awareness and understanding of any cardiac abnormalities which may contraindicate sedation
-knowledge of the appropriate type/mix of sedation for the task being performed
-knowledge of potential side effects and the ability to correct them promptly
-knowledge of withholding times for competition/racing
-knowledge of safety and risks in pregnant animals
-sterility of the bottle from which the sedation is being drawn and the needles and syringes being used to administer it
-the technique of the person injecting i.e. inadvertent intra-carotid injections can be fatal and perivascular injection of many medications can be highly irritant
-indemnity insurance to cover any costs that directly arise from any injury sustained to the horse if there is an accident during the procedure

12/03/2025

Clipping - Part 2 - The Nervous Horse - Desensitisation

Clipping a horse for the first time, or a horse that is known to be nervous, can be challenging and intimidating. However, with the right preparation and patience, you can help make the experience a stress free one for you and your horse - without having to resort to sedation. Give yourself plenty of time.

Here are some steps to help:
- ensure the horse's coat is clean and free of dirt and loose hair, this helps the clippers run smoothly and reduces tugging/pulling.
- provide a quiet, calm environment for clipping that is familiar to the horse.
- minimise distractions by choosing a time of day that is quieter.
-wear appropriate protective equipment e.g. closed toe shoes and/or helmet
- ensure the horse is securely tied or being held by a confident handler. Consider using a professional who has experience with nervous horses.
- let the horse see and smell the clippers while they are turned off at first. Rub the clippers gently over the horse's body, starting with the least sensitive areas, such as the neck or shoulder. Next allow the horse to hear the noise of the clippers without bodily contact.
- if the clippers are initially too much, an electric toothbrush or a vibrating phone may be used as substitutes.
- gradually increase the exposure to the clippers over multiple occasions, allowing the horse to be accustomed to the sounds and vibrations and desensitised to the stimulus.
- when you are ready to begin clipping, consider whether to use a smaller trimmer first. Different brands and models of clippers will have different levels of noise and vibration, find the right choice for your horse.
- remember that the legs and face are usually the most sensitive areas and save them for last.
- move slowly and steadily with long strokes
- cool the clippers regularly and use lots of oil
- ensure the blades are sharp and the teeth not broken
- take breaks if you need to
- reward the horse for good behaviour, create positive associations

Please note when a horse has to be clipped urgently for veterinary reasons, sedation may be required for the job to be done safely. This post is in relation to clipping as a lifestyle choice.

11/03/2025

Clipping your Horse

In Australia, we are rapidly approaching the time of year when horses begin to get their winter coats and the decision making as to when, or if, to clip your horse starts. Clipping can certainly help horses in regular work to stay cool and comfortable, aiding drying time and keeping the coat presentable for competition.

When considering when to clip, please consider:
-has the horse's winter coat come in
-does the horse sweat a lot when exercising
-does the horse have access to shelter
-will the horse be appropriately rugged
-is the horse carrying appropriate condition to be clipped and be without the warmth of its winter coat.

Traditionally, the most common clip patterns are the full clip, blanket clip, trace clip and hunter clip. However, as these images show, the results can sometimes vary!

10/03/2025

Don't miss out on our Gastroscope Day THIS FRIDAY MARCH 14th!

Please call the clinic to book on 5248 8899 :D

09/03/2025