Ardene House Equine Vets

30/08/2025

🐴⭐️ 𝙂𝙍𝙊𝙊𝙈𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙏𝙄𝙋𝙎 ⭐️🐴

There’s nothing quite like a good grooming session to bond with your horse - and keep their skin and coat in top shape!

💡 𝙑𝙚𝙩 𝙏𝙞𝙥: Regular grooming isn’t just about looking good - it’s your first line of defence when it comes to spotting lumps, bumps, cuts, or early signs of skin issues. A quick daily check during grooming can catch problems before they become bigger worries.

✨ 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙖 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧?
Good grooming habits can make all the difference in the ring. That deep-down shine comes from more than just a last-minute polish - it starts with healthy skin, good nutrition, and consistent care!

👂 Now it’s your turn!

👉 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩‘𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙫𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙖𝙘𝙠?
• A tool you swear by for getting show-ring ready?
• A homemade product that works wonders?
• Tricks for taming manes, whitening socks, or keeping tails tangle-free?

📸 Bonus points for a snap of your horse looking their show-ready best!

Let’s share our secrets - your go-to tip might be just what another owner needs!

26/08/2025

It was another busy week last week at Ardene House, with our visiting specialist, John Marshall, here on the Monday and Tuesday from Thistle Equine Referrals 🐴

Pictured is John performing a stifle arthroscopy - this involves placing a camera into the joint, to allow assessment of the cartilage and soft tissue structures within the joint, guiding treatment and prognosis. John was assisted by Lisa, whilst Megan monitored the anaesthetic.

John is next visiting Ardene on Monday 8th September, followed by Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd September. Please contact the practice if you would like to book in with John. Non-clients can ask for a referral via your usual vet practice. 🐴

24/08/2025

𝙇𝘼𝙈𝙄𝙉𝙄𝙏𝙄𝙎: 𝙈𝘼𝙉𝘼𝙂𝙀𝙈𝙀𝙉𝙏🐴🔥

Laminitis continues to challenge even the most experienced owners - it’s not just a spring grass problem! We’re seeing lots of metabolic-driven laminitis (Cushing's, EMS) and subclinical cases that smoulder before they flare. We are also now seeing concussive laminitis, due to the hard ground!

Here’s what we now focus on in laminitis management:

🔹 𝙋𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙡 𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙡.
NSAIDs (such as Bute or Equioxx) help manage inflammation and discomfort, but they’re not enough alone. It's important to consult your vet for advice on management. Other types of pain relief may also be prescribed, dependent on severity. These can then be slowly reduced, once comfort improves.

🔹 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙙𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙛𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙢𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙨.
Work with your vet and farrier to realign the distal phalanx (P3). Radiographs are the gold standard for monitoring pedal bone position and sole depth - especially if adjusting trim angles or considering shoeing options (heart bars, clogs, etc).

🔹 𝘿𝙤𝙣‘𝙩 𝙜𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙨 - 𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩.
PPID (Cushing's) and EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome) are major players. ACTH (the hormone related to Cushing's) and insulin (for EMS) testing give you the real picture. Even non-obese horses can have insulin dysregulation. And yes - it can affect skinnys and TBs. Both conditions now have options for specific medications which may be prescribed if required.

🔹 𝘿𝙞𝙚𝙩: Low sugar, low starch.
Soaked hay (1.5–2% bodyweight/day - weighed when dry), a balancer, and zero grazing is generally required in the acute phase. Wait for the green light from your vet before returning to grass and consider the use of a grazing muzzle. A return to turnout must be controlled and planned.

🔹 𝙈𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩: 𝙉𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙨𝙤𝙤𝙣.
“Let them walk it off” is not the answer. Movement is encouraged only once they are comfortable on a soft surface, and with vet guidance. Whilst gradually increasing exercise is important once comfortable, premature exercise can worsen displacement of the pedal bone.

🔹 𝙈𝙤𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙤𝙧, 𝙙𝙤𝙣‘𝙩 𝙖𝙨𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙚.
Digital pulses, foot temperature, stance, and demeanour are all clues - but they’re not always obvious. Don’t wait until your horse is lying down or “reluctant” - act on the subtle signs.

🧠 Laminitis isn’t just about managing a crisis - it’s about preventing the next one. It requires a multi-pronged, proactive approach involving your vet, farrier, and a highly controlled environment.

If you’re managing a horse with a history of laminitis, or you’re unsure how to reduce risk this season - speak to us. Early action is everything.

📞 Ardene House Equine | We’re here to help keep your horse sound and safe.

22/08/2025

💧🐴 𝙀𝙇𝙀𝘾𝙏𝙍𝙊𝙇𝙔𝙏𝙀𝙎🐴💧

Electrolytes are simply vital salts your horse loses through sweat. Replacing them helps with hydration, recovery, and overall health.

📅 𝙒𝙃𝙀𝙉 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙄 𝙜𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢?

✅ After any sweating
✅ During hot or humid weather
✅ When travelling or competing
✅ If your horse is a poor drinker
✅ During illness or recovery

🕒 Best given before and after exercise to stay ahead of dehydration.

🍽️ 𝙃𝙊𝙒 𝙙𝙤 𝙄 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢?

✔️ Mix powder into a damp feed
✔️ Add to water (if your horse will drink it - always offer plain water too)
✔️ Syringe directly for accurate dosing

🔍 Not all products are equal - look for horse-specific ones with sodium, chloride, potassium, magnesium and calcium, with minimal sugar.

💡 𝙋𝙍𝙊 𝙏𝙄𝙋: Salt licks alone aren’t enough for horses in work.

📞 Still unsure? We’re always happy to chat and help tailor a plan for your horse. Just give us a call or pop in!

20/08/2025

🌞 𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙨!🐴💙

Here are our fabulous nursing assistants, Rhona and Codie, making the most of the lighter nights with a relaxing hack after work. After a busy day caring for our patients, there’s nothing better than some time in the saddle to unwind - and these two clearly agree!

We love seeing our team enjoying quality time with their horses. 🐎

👉 Do you have a favourite hacking route in the summer? Or a special equine friend who helps you relax after a long day? Share a pic in the comments - we’d love to see them!

18/08/2025

𝗔 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗠𝗠𝗘 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠! 🐛🙏

We are frequently receiving faecal samples for worm egg counts which are not clearly labelled. This can lead to delays in reporting and sometimes we are unable to identify who a sample belongs to.

𝗣𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝘀):

🔹Horse's name
🔹Owner's full name
🔹Yard name (unless individual horses kept at home)
🔹Date sample collected
🔹+ 'EHP' if the horse is on one of our equine health plans (includes the old HHC)

𝗔𝗻𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆.

Finally, please ensure fresh samples* are handed in during our large animal office opening hours (Mon-Thurs 8-6.30, Fri 8-6, Sat 9-1). As always, if dropping off 10+ samples, please phone ahead to book a suitable day with enough nursing staff.

*Fresh sample = collected from faecal piles

17/08/2025

Beth is soaking up the sun today, as the event vet at the Brechin National Driving Trials for British Carriagedriving 😎

The marathon is well under way! 🐎

16/08/2025

⚠️🌼 𝙍𝘼𝙂𝙒𝙊𝙍𝙏 𝘼𝙇𝙀𝙍𝙏- 𝙆𝙚𝙚𝙥 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙮𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙩! 🌼⚠️

It’s that time of year again - the yellow flowers might be bright and cheery, but ragwort is no friend to horses. We’re seeing it popping up all over Aberdeenshire just now - in paddocks, field margins, and even creeping into hay.

⚠️ 𝙒𝙝𝙮 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙖 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮:
Ragwort contains toxins that damage the liver and sadly, once the damage is done, there’s no specific cure. Horses don’t usually eat it fresh (it tastes nasty), but once it’s dried in hay, they can’t tell – this can pose a significant risk.

We’ve seen heartbreaking cases over the years, and the worst part is, signs often don’t show until the liver is already badly compromised and it is too late to treat.

🧐 𝙎𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩:
Right now it’s tall, with clusters of yellow daisy-like flowers and tough, ragged leaves. Have a good walk round your fields, especially along fence lines and rough ground, and any fields used for making hay.

🧤 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩 𝙨𝙖𝙛𝙚𝙡𝙮:
• Always wear gloves – the toxins can be absorbed through skin.
• Pull it up by the roots if you can (a ragwort fork helps!).
• Don’t leave pulled plants lying about – wilted ragwort is actually more palatable to horses.
• Bag it and dispose of it properly.

💬 Not sure if you’ve got ragwort or something else? Snap a photo and give us a shout - we’re happy to help.

Let’s stay ahead of it and keep your horses safe this summer. 🌾🐴
– The Ardene House Equine Team

14/08/2025

🚨 𝙇𝘼𝙎𝙏 𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙉𝘾𝙀 🚨

𝙂𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙮 – This Thursday! (21st August 2025)
Only a couple of spaces left – £250, including nursing and sedation fees (>25% OFF!)

Is your horse really 'just being naughty' or are they trying their best to tell you something? Speak to one of our vets if you are worried they could have gastric ulcers - it's important we listen to the horse and investigate and treat any sources of discomfort. 🐴

📍Overnight stabling for the fasting process available for £50.

📞 Book now before it’s too late!

13/08/2025

Here are a few of our team (Beth, Lisa and Steph) with our new sponsored show jump at Bogenraith Equestrian! 🐴

Steph said she would have jumped this height a few years ago, whilst Beth and Lisa said they would steer well clear! So, good on those of you who are braver than us!! 🏇

12/08/2025

🌟 𝙋𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙀𝙉𝙏 𝙊𝙁 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙈𝙊𝙉𝙏𝙃 𝙅𝙐𝙇𝙔 🌟

This month we’re celebrating Marz, who came in for a lameness investigation with Janina and Megan. You may have noticed he has already featured on our page recently, receiving scratches from nursing assistant, Codie! 🐴

Marz was the perfect patient – calm, cooperative, and patient through a long and involved process of nerve blocks, joint blocks, ultrasound scans, and shockwave treatment.

But what really captured our hearts was the clear bond between Marz and his owner, Rose. Rose’s love and care was clear – from his spotless turnout to the calm, trusting way he handled everything. It was obvious he’s deeply cherished, and we’re always reminded how much that connection matters.

Rose’s mum, Jan, said “Rose and I have been so happy with everything you have all done for Marz and feel lucky for him to be in such capable hands. Thank you to all of the team for looking after him with so much care.”

Well done, Marz – and a big thank you to Rose for being such a wonderful owner. 💛💙

11/08/2025

Great team to work with 💙💛…

🌟 We’re Hiring! Head Registered Veterinary Nurse – Ardene House, Kingswells 🌟

We have an exciting opportunity for a passionate and motivated Head Registered Veterinary Nurse to join our friendly team at Ardene House Vet Practice, Kingswells Hospital.

💙 Why You’ll Love Working With Us
You’ll be leading a talented, close-knit nursing team (9 RVNs, 2 SVNs, 3 VCAs) in a modern, purpose-built hospital with top-class facilities – think advanced surgical equipment, specialist clinics, and a team who genuinely care about each other and our patients.

🐾 What You’ll Be Doing
You’ll be at the heart of our nursing team – leading, supporting, and inspiring them every day. Your role will include:

Guiding and supporting the team to deliver the very best patient care

Creating nursing rotas and managing holidays

Overseeing clinical standards and stock control

Getting hands-on with surgeries, consults, and inpatient care

Working alongside our Practice Manager, Clinical Directors, and vets to keep things running smoothly

You’ll also help shape the future of our practice by improving systems, supporting professional development, and bringing fresh ideas.

🏥 About Us
Our Kingswells hospital is just outside Aberdeen, with a second branch in Bridge of Don. We care for small animals, horses, and farm animals, and also host Aberdeen Veterinary Referrals for orthopaedic and internal medicine cases. Our facilities are second to none, and our team includes certificate holders in surgery and medicine, plus visiting specialists in cardiology, dermatology, and pain management.

📅 The Details

Full-time (40 hours/week, Monday to Friday, between 7:30 am and 7:30 pm)

Occasional Saturdays only – no on-call or out-of-hours (we have Vets Now on site!)

Ongoing CPD fully supported and funded

If you’re an experienced RVN who’s ready to lead with passion, support your team, and enjoy a great work-life balance – we’d love to hear from you!

📩 Apply now and take the next step in your veterinary career.
Please send your CV and cover letter to [email protected]