Avonvale Equine Practice

Avonvale Equine Practice 100% Equine Veterinary Practice offering clinic and ambulatory services with a team of experienced, dedicated and compassionate vets 24 hours per day.

Welcome to Avonvale Equine Practice. We are committed to providing high quality veterinary care for horses, ponies and donkeys. Our veterinary and nursing teams have a broad range of equine expertise and enthusiasm and are always available for advice. Based in Ratley, nr Banbury we cover a vast area including Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Leicestershire and the West Midlands. Conven

iently located near the M40 junction 12 we have a fully equipped surgical facility as well as up to date mobile diagnostic equipment. We offer free zone visits for routine appointments.

Claire is on duty at the PC Tetrathlon championships at Moreton Morrell today. Good luck to all competitors
31/05/2026

Claire is on duty at the PC Tetrathlon championships at Moreton Morrell today. Good luck to all competitors

🐴🐴 Junior Brand Ambassador Update - Hattie Sentance 🐴🐴Here's a lovely update, sent in by Hattie's Mum Anna:Hattie and ...
29/05/2026

🐴🐴 Junior Brand Ambassador Update - Hattie Sentance 🐴🐴

Here's a lovely update, sent in by Hattie's Mum Anna:

Hattie and her pony Brynseion Goronwy (Sid) are absolutely loving being part of the Avonvale Junior Brand Ambassador team.

We have now had Sid nearly a year and a half, and it has been so lovely to see the partnership between him and Hattie continue to grow. Since moving to a new yard just before Christmas, Sid has settled in brilliantly and has really taken everything in his stride - although he still keeps us entertained with his touch of Welsh pony cheekiness, which we absolutely love (apart from when he occasionally decides he doesn’t want to be caught!).

Hattie and Sid have been keeping very busy with regular lessons, getting to know their new surroundings and enjoying lots of hacking adventures exploring the countryside around the yard together.

The pair have also been out and about at several jumping competitions recently, proudly wearing their Avonvale merchandise and sharing the Avonvale love wherever they go. Sid seems to really be loving his jumping and absolutely loves being in the ring…… and Hattie is loving it just as much! Together they are growing in confidence every time they go out, and it definitely seems that show-jumping is the direction they are most excited to focus on moving forward.

Away from competitions, Hattie and Sid also enjoyed a beautiful bluebell photoshoot recently, where Sid was on his very best behaviour and posed like a true professional for the camera.

It’s been amazing to watch their bond strengthen over the last year, both at home and out competing, and they are both looking forward to a busy summer ahead with even more shows, lessons and adventures as the weather starts to improve.

Our equine vets cater for the whole family! Whether you require vet services for a child's first pony, an aspiring Pony ...
28/05/2026

Our equine vets cater for the whole family! Whether you require vet services for a child's first pony, an aspiring Pony Club superstar, dressage diva or happy hacker, Avonvale Equine Vet Practice is here to help. We provide comprehensive veterinary services for all equines 🐴🩺⁠
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Register your horse or pony with us today - visit our website to register: www.avonvaleequine.co.uk.
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27/05/2026

⭐⭐ Foal slippers ⭐⭐

Ever wondered how it is that a newborn foal’s tiny hooves don’t damage the inside of the mare’s uterus?

A newborn foal’s hooves are covered with a soft rubbery membrane that remains gelatinous whilst in contact with the amniotic fluids in utero. This protects the mare’s reproductive tract from injury during the later stages of pregnancy and in the process of a normal delivery.

Technically called eponychium but also rather magically know as ‘fairy fingers’ this soft rubbery tissue quickly dries and hardens after exposure to air and is rubbed away within 1-2 days of the foal walking about, leaving behind the hard hoof structure we are all familiar with.

This is nature’s ingenious solution to allow hoofed mammals to be born with fully formed hooves that enable them to get up and flee from predators shortly after birth whilst minimising the risk these hooves pose to the dam during pregnancy and parturition.

⭐⭐ Monthly Theme - Competition Horse Management ⭐⭐What should we pack in our equine first aid kit?Veterinary provision...
25/05/2026

⭐⭐ Monthly Theme - Competition Horse Management ⭐⭐

What should we pack in our equine first aid kit?

Veterinary provision at competition varies, some events will have a vet onsite, but many do not. The following items are a good idea for your show first aid kit:

1. Clean water and bucket (ideally a separate bucket to that used for drinking).
2. Cotton wool and hibiscrub (used dilutely to clean wounds).
3. Ice packs or ice boots if doing fast work.
4. Basic bandaging materials (contact layer such as melolin, sofban, cotton wool or gamgee and vet wrap).
5. Examination gloves for cleaning wounds etc. It is not always easy to find handwashing facilities, so being able to put on clean gloves minimizes contamination of any minor wounds.
6. Poulticing materials – if your horse pulls a shoe applying a poultice to travel home will pad foot and minimize bruising / risk of abscess.

🐴🐴 Brand Ambassador update – Millie Morgan 🐴🐴Here’s an update from Millie:I’ve taken Minky to a few dressage competiti...
24/05/2026

🐴🐴 Brand Ambassador update – Millie Morgan 🐴🐴

Here’s an update from Millie:

I’ve taken Minky to a few dressage competitions and at the end of April she competed at the BRC National Championship where she produced two lovely tests and helped the team win. We then got our first-round qualifications for Trailblazers and last weekend we did the second rounds and qualified in both the novice and elementary. We won our novice test on 69.2%, a few mistakes in the elementary but we still managed to qualify. I can’t wait for the championships in August.

Truffles has been getting out and about at some pole work clinics and arena hires. I took her for her first ever cross-country hire and she took it all in her stride enjoying herself. She turned 5 the other week and she has acted like she’s been doing this all for years.

We’ve got a few events planned for them both over the next month, Truffles is doing her first dressage and showjumping show over the next few weeks before we take her for her first ever diddy one day event in June.

Minky has a few events planned so fingers crossed they go well and we have good outcomes to update you on.

🐴🐴 Brand Ambassador Update - Molly Perkins 🐴🐴Here's an update from Molly:Arte and I have been building up his fitness ...
22/05/2026

🐴🐴 Brand Ambassador Update - Molly Perkins 🐴🐴

Here's an update from Molly:

Arte and I have been building up his fitness ready for the event season, and putting a lot of work into dressage. We recently won our class on 70.4% qualifying us for the second round of trailblazers.

We also gained our first National placing together, coming 9th at the BRC Winter Dressage National Championships.

We have also been out doing some cross country schooling and clear round events so we are super prepared to get out eventing.

Molly and Arte have certainly been keeping very busy and we look forward to hearing how they got on ibn the second round of trailblazers and the other competitions they enter.

⭐⭐ Surrey University Vet School - Nomination ⭐⭐At Avonvale Equine, we are committed to working with vet students, insp...
21/05/2026

⭐⭐ Surrey University Vet School - Nomination ⭐⭐

At Avonvale Equine, we are committed to working with vet students, inspiring our next generation of vets. We have an amazing collaboration with Surrey University Veterinary School, taking Year 5 students on 4 week placements throughout the year.

We are absolutely delighted to learn that we have been nominated for 2026 Vet Practice of the Year, recognising excellence in veterinary clinical education, going above and beyond to help the students.

The winner will be announced on 25th June at their Partner Conference and we have everything crossed. Thank you to our amazing team of vets, nurses and admin who work so closely with the students and for the unwavering support of our amazing clients who are happy to allow students to learn with their horses.

⭐⭐ Foot Balance ⭐⭐Spring grass is coming through fast, and while it’s a welcome sight, it brings challenges for our po...
20/05/2026

⭐⭐ Foot Balance ⭐⭐

Spring grass is coming through fast, and while it’s a welcome sight, it brings challenges for our ponies. Rich grazing combined with the shift from soft winter ground to harder surfaces can quickly highlight hoof imbalances—and that’s when problems can start to show.

If your pony is feeling a bit short-strided, sensitive on firm ground, or just not moving as freely, now is the time to take a closer look.

An equine foot balance examination is a great opportunity to assess hoof health, movement, and overall balance before the demands of summer increase. Getting things right now can help prevent discomfort, support soundness, and keep your pony happy in their work.

🌱 Don’t wait for issues to appear—spring is the perfect time to prepare for a sound, comfortable summer.

The cost for our foot balance x-rays is now set at £250 inc. VAT, this includes 4 images of the feet (extras can be added at an additional cost if required), all images will be shared with and discussed with your farrier to make the very best plan for your horse or pony.

If you would like to book an appointment or have any queries then please get in touch with the office on 01295 670501 or email us at [email protected].

🐴🐴 Discounted Gastroscope Clinic🐴🐴LAST PLACES AVAILABLE!Book now for our Discounted Gastroscope Clinic, being held at ou...
19/05/2026

🐴🐴 Discounted Gastroscope Clinic🐴🐴

LAST PLACES AVAILABLE!

Book now for our Discounted Gastroscope Clinic, being held at our partner yard - Lynwood Stud, Wolston CV8 3FQ on:

👉 Thursday 4th June 2026

This clinic offers excellent value for money - £165.00 to include VAT, sedation and trot up. Overnight stabling is available at an extra charge.

If you think your horse may be suffering from gastric ulcers, book now - particularly if your horse is showing these signs:

👉 Irritability when grooming
👉 Girthy when tacking up
👉 Reluctance to go forwards under saddle
👉 Poor performance
👉 Loss of condition
👉 Loss of appetite

Take advantage of this excellent offer by calling our Reception team on 01295 670501 or email [email protected]. If you'd like to speak to one of our experienced vets then please give us a ring.

For more information on gastroscoping and gastric ulcers - take a look at our blog: https://www.avonvaleequine.co.uk/blog/equine-gastroscope/

Address

The Churns, Home Farm Drive, Upton
Banbury
OX156HU

Telephone

+441295670501

Website

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