Tweedie & Associates Equine Veterinary Services

Tweedie & Associates Equine Veterinary Services Performance horse and general practice servicing Caulfield, Cranbourne and the Mornington Peninsula. Tweedie & Associates Equine Veterinary Services

14/08/2026

šŸŽ Discipline-Specific Injuries: The Eventer

Next up in our discipline-specific injury series is the event horse ā€” and eventers like to keep things interesting!

Eventing asks a horse to be a little bit of everything. They need the strength, collection and suppleness of a dressage horse, the power and technique of a showjumper, and the speed, stamina and bravery of a racehorse.

Unfortunately, that also means we can see a bit of everything when it comes to injuries.

From tendon and ligament injuries associated with galloping and jumping, to joint and back problems related to collection, impact and repetitive loading, the event horse places a huge range of demands on its body.

And because eventers are often wonderfully tough, willing horses, the first sign that something isnā€™t quite right may not be obvious lameness. It might simply be a change in performance ā€” a horse that suddenly struggles with a particular movement, isnā€™t jumping quite as confidently, feels different on one rein, or isnā€™t recovering from its work as well as it used to.

In the next instalment of our discipline-specific injuries series, we take a closer look at some of the injuries we commonly encounter in event horses, why they occur, and what owners and riders can look out for.

Because with an athlete as versatile as the eventer, keeping them sound is very much about looking at the whole horse. šŸ©ŗšŸ“

12/08/2026

Next up in our discipline-specific lameness series: Dressage šŸ“

And with the worldā€™s best dressage horses currently competing at the FEI World Championships in Aachen, itā€™s a great time to look at some of the lameness and performance issues we commonly see in dressage horses.

Dressage places very specific demands on the horse. As the level of training increases, so does the requirement for collection, engagement, balance and repeated loading of the hindlimbs.

In this video, we look at some of the areas we commonly investigate in dressage horses, including hindlimb lameness, hock and stifle problems, proximal suspensory issues and back or sacroiliac discomfort.

Importantly, these horses donā€™t always present as obviously lame. Often the first signs are much more subtle ā€” difficulty with a flying change, reluctance to sit or collect, loss of impulsion, becoming uneven in lateral work, or simply not feeling quite as good as they normally do.

Recognising these small changes early can make a significant difference in keeping a dressage horse comfortable and performing at its best.

šŸŽ„ Discipline Specific Lameness ā€“ Dressage

09/08/2026

If you own a showjumper, there are two areas we assess time and time again when horses start to lose performance or become subtly lame ā€“ the coffin joints and the hocks.

Unlike an obvious injury, these problems often begin with small changes:
ā€¢ Knocking rails they would normally clear
ā€¢ Feeling less careful over a fence
ā€¢ Difficulty holding a lead or landing consistently
ā€¢ Resistance to turning or shortening the stride
ā€¢ Becoming ā€œflatā€ or lacking power behind

The good news is that many of these issues can be identified early, often before they become significant problems. A thorough lameness examination, combined with appropriate diagnostic imaging, allows us to pinpoint the source of pain and develop a treatment plan tailored to your horse.

In this weekā€™s video, we discuss why coffin joint and hock problems are so common in showjumpers, the early warning signs to watch for, and why early intervention can help keep your horse performing at its best for longer.

Have you noticed subtle changes in your showjumperā€™s performance? Weā€™d love to hear what youā€™ve observed.

06/08/2026

šŸ¤  Common Injuries by Discipline: Western Horses

Every discipline places different demands on a horseā€™s body, and Western horses are no exception.

From campdrafting and cutting to reining, barrel racing and ranch work, these athletes rely on explosive acceleration, quick stops, sharp turns and powerful hindquarter engagement. Over time, these movements can lead to some common injuries, including:

šŸ“ Suspensory ligament injuries ā€“ particularly in the hindlimbs due to the strain of rapid acceleration and stopping.

šŸ“ Hock arthritis ā€“ repetitive loading of the hocks can result in wear and tear, leading to stiffness and reduced performance.

šŸ“ Stifle injuries ā€“ the stifle works hard during sliding stops, turns and powerful take-offs, making it susceptible to strain.

šŸ“ Hoof bruising and abscesses ā€“ especially when training or competing on hard or uneven ground.

The good news? Many of these injuries can be managedā€”or even preventedā€”with early recognition, appropriate conditioning, regular veterinary assessments and prompt investigation when performance changes.

If your Western horse is showing subtle signs such as reluctance to stop, difficulty turning, loss of impulsion or changes in performance, donā€™t assume itā€™s ā€œjust getting older.ā€ These can be the first signs of an underlying issue.

šŸ“ž Early diagnosis often means a quicker recovery and a better long-term outcome.

Stay tuned as we continue our Common Injuries by Discipline series, covering dressage, show jumping, eventing, racing and more.

04/08/2026

šŸ“ Need to see a vet sooner? We can often help!

Did you know that bringing your horse to our clinic can mean shorter wait times and lower costs?

Because we have all our equipment, facilities and team in one place, we can work more efficiently. That means weā€™re often able to fit clinic appointments in at short notice when our mobile schedule is full.

The added efficiency also helps reduce the overall cost of your horseā€™s visit, allowing us to pass those savings on to you.

Whether itā€™s a lameness assessment, poor performance investigation, dentistry, imaging or another health concern, our clinic allows us to provide high-quality care with greater flexibility and value.

šŸ“ž If your horse needs to be seen quickly, give us a call and ask whether a clinic appointment is suitable. We may be able to see you sooner than you think!

09/07/2026

šŸ“ What Worries Your Vet More? šŸ©ŗ

This weekā€™s question is:

šŸ¤” Resistance under saddleā€¦ or resistance on the ground?

The answer might surprise you!

When a horse suddenly becomes resistant under saddle, our first thought is often pain, particularly a lameness issue. Horses are incredibly good at compensating for discomfort, and changes in their ridden behaviour can be one of the earliest signs that something isnā€™t right.

Resistance on the ground is important too, but it often leads us to consider a different range of possibilities. Changes in handling behaviour may be related to management, diet, gastric ulcers, or, in mares, hormonal changes that can affect comfort and temperament.

Behaviour is your horseā€™s way of communicating. Rather than seeing resistance as ā€œnaughtyā€ behaviour, itā€™s worth asking why your horse is behaving differently.

šŸŽ„ Watch this weekā€™s video to find out why resistance under saddle worries us more, and learn when itā€™s time to have your horse assessed by your veterinarian.

Has your horse ever changed their behaviour before showing obvious signs of pain? Weā€™d love to hear your experiences below.

09/07/2026

šŸ“ What Worries Your Vet More? šŸ©ŗ

This weekā€™s question is:

šŸ’Š Delaying a lameness examination and trying a bute trialā€¦ or having your horse assessed early?

For us, delaying the examination is often the bigger concern.

When we see a horse with a mild lameness, we have a much better chance of identifying the problem early, treating it appropriately, and getting your horse back to work sooner.

Waiting to see if the lameness ā€œcomes goodā€ or masking it with a bute trial can allow the underlying injury to worsen. By the time the horse is significantly lame, the damage is often more severe, recovery can take longer, and treatment may become more complicated.

While there are situations where anti-inflammatory medication has an important role, we generally prefer to diagnose the cause of the lameness before it is masked. A horse that is trying to tell you something with a subtle lameness is giving us valuable information.

šŸŽ„ Watch this weekā€™s video to learn why early assessment often leads to a better outcome for both you and your horse.

05/07/2026

šŸ“ What Worries Your Vet More? šŸ©ŗ

This weekā€™s question is:

šŸ’‰ Biosecurityā€¦ or vaccinating against tetanus?

It might surprise you that, here on the Mornington Peninsula, tetanus vaccination is the bigger concern.

Australia is fortunate to be free of equine influenza, and while equine herpesvirus is present, it is generally a much lower day-to-day concern for the average horse owner than tetanus.

Tetanus bacteria are found naturally in the soil, and it only takes a small wound for infection to occur. Sadly, weā€™ve seen horses in our local area die from tetanusā€”a disease that is almost always preventable with vaccination.

Keeping your horseā€™s tetanus vaccination up to date is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to protect them.

šŸ’” A great reminder is to book your horseā€™s tetanus booster at the same time as their annual dental examination. It makes staying on top of preventative healthcare easy and helps ensure nothing gets missed.

Watch this weekā€™s video to find out why tetanus vaccination worries us more than biosecurity in our local setting, and let us know if you have any questions about your horseā€™s vaccination schedule.

29/06/2026

šŸ’° Cost of living is affecting everyone ā€“ including horse owners.

When budgets get tight, itā€™s tempting to add more supplements or keep buying feeds ā€œjust in caseā€. But the truth is, many horses can thrive on a much simpler feeding plan than people realise.

In our latest video, we talk about how you can simplify your horseā€™s diet without compromising their health or wellbeing. A well-balanced, evidence-based feeding plan can often save money while still meeting your horseā€™s nutritional needs.

Every horse is different, so before making major changes, itā€™s worth discussing your horseā€™s individual requirements with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist.

šŸŽ„ Watch the video to learn:
āœ”ļø When less can actually be more
āœ”ļø Common feeding myths that cost owners money
āœ”ļø How to make smart changes without sacrificing your horseā€™s health

Have you simplified your horseā€™s feeding recently? Weā€™d love to hear what worked for you in the comments. šŸ‘‡

26/06/2026

šŸ“ NEW VIDEO SERIES: What Worries Your Vet More?

Ever wondered what keeps your equine vet awake at night? šŸ¤”

Weā€™re launching a new video series called ā€œWhat Worries Your Vet More?ā€ where weā€™ll compare two common horse management issues and explain which one concerns us mostā€”and, more importantly, why.

Our first episode asks:

šŸŒ¾ What worries your vet moreā€¦ a lack of social interaction or a lack of roughage?

Both are essential for your horseā€™s physical and mental wellbeing, but if we had to choose, which one has the biggest impact on health?

Watch the first video to find out, and discover why understanding your horseā€™s natural needs can help prevent disease, improve welfare, and keep them happier and healthier.

Keep an eye out over the coming weeks as we tackle more horse health dilemmas in the What Worries Your Vet More? series.

Address

270 Bungower Road
Moorooduc, VIC
3933

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61359775250

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