Shires Vets Equine

23/10/2025

The hot topic this autumn, acorns🌳

We are still seeing an alarming number of acorn toxicity cases. So this is just a reminder for everyone to check their fields, especially with the wind as the acorns (and sycamore seedlings) can travel further than we think.

Acorns are toxic to horses and ponies and can cause serious illness.
The exact quantity required to cause toxicity depends on each individual.

Look out for the following signs:
- Dull or depressed
- Loss of appetite
- Dehydration
- Colic
- Acorn husks in their poo
- Dark coloured diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Mouth ulcers

Prompt treatment is vital!

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us and one of our vets would be happy to have a chat.

01785850218

29/09/2025

With the weather constantly changing we often struggle to decide if we rug them up or not.. or how many grams are needed.
Protexin Equine have put together this handy guide 🤓

Rugging your horse this winter – where do you start? ❄️

We know it can feel overwhelming deciding what rug to put on your horse, especially as the seasons change. That’s why we’ve put together this Rugging Guide, inspired by British Equestrian Trade Association (BETA), to give you a rough framework to work from.

But REMEMBER, every horse is an individual:
🐴 Some horses feel the cold much more than others.
🐴 Clip type, condition, weight and age all play a big role.
🐴 Don’t forget the weather! A wet and windy day can feel much colder than a crisp, dry one (the chill factor makes a huge difference!).

👉 Our chart offers general recommendations for stabled vs. turned out horses, and whether they’re clipped or unclipped, but it’s not one-size-fits-all. What works for one horse may not suit another.

The best advice? Use this as a guide, but always check your horse by feeling under their rug, monitoring how comfortable they are individually and using common sense. 💙

Do you find your horse is the type who needs an extra layer, or are they usually happy with less? Let us know in the comments! 👇

31/08/2025

We had a great day at Eccleshall show yesterday (before the rain came on).
It was lovely to chat to everyone and meet all the friendly pups- we went through a lot of gravy bones as you can imagine 🐶

13/08/2025

Shires Equine Rewards 🐴
For just £17 a month, your horse gets the care they deserve – and you get peace of mind.
✨ What’s included?
✅ 1 x Annual vaccination
✅ 1 x 6-month post-vaccination health check
✅ 1 x Routine dentistry
✅ 1 x Equest Pramox wormer (December, if required)
✅ 3 x Faecal egg counts (April, June, September)
✅ 1 x Tapeworm saliva test (July)
✅ All zone visit fees
✅ 10% off all other purchases
💙 All for less than 60p a day – because your horse’s health is priceless.
📞 Call us for more info or sign up on our website today
📍 Shires Equine Vets – Caring for your horse, all year round.

12/08/2025

We have a large number of Equisal tapeworm saliva tests that have not been collected by clients with horses on the New Shires Rewards plan. If you have not collected your yet, please get in touch with the office!

11/08/2025

Have a look at what Mollie got up to when out visiting Paddy 🐴

08/08/2025

Last week in collaboration with we put on not one but two weight clinics at Chorley Hall and Lambs Lodge, weighing a over 40 horses, providing nutrition and veterinary advice. A huge thank you to Spillers,Karen, Charles and Natasha for helping organise the event!

06/08/2025

Strangles update:

Given the high prevalence of strangles in the area we would strongly recommend that you consider vaccinating your horse.

The strangles vaccine consists of an initial course of two vaccines one month apart and then booster every 6-12months depending on risk.

Have a look at this video from Strangles awareness week (please watch it until the end) as it may be helpful for any concerns you have relating to the strangles vaccine.

If you have any queries or would like to book in for your strangles vaccine please contact the office on 01785850218.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZSKBEJQnjk