Central Equine Vets

29/10/2026

🩺The moment you realise all those years of vet med at university was all worth it….

🐴Crucial preparation by vet Lauren, ahead of tonight’s Equine First Aid training evening!

ℹ️The event booked out within hours and we can’t wait to see how everyone gets on.

Practice Manager Gemma Williamson has gone to extraordinary lengths to put this evening’s event together (as you can see!).👏👏👏

26/10/2026

Brilliant information here from Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance about Atypical Myopathy.

24/10/2026

🦷 Is winter the best time to get your horse's teeth checked?

Your horse's teeth should be checked regularly throughout the year, but a pre-winter dental examination is particularly important. During winter, horses often eat more hay, haylage and hard feed, which can place different demands on their teeth than a grass-based summer diet.

Signs your horse may be experiencing dental problems include:

- Dropping partially chewed feed or hay ("quidding")
- Choke
- Eating slowly or reluctance to eat
- Resistance to the bit or contact
- Head tossing, shaking, bolting or rearing
- Holding the head at an angle
- Swellings around the jaw or face
- Colic
- Bad breath
- Excessive salivation
- Weight loss or poor body condition
- Poor coat condition
- Nasal discharge, which can indicate a sinus infection caused by tooth decay

📌 Most horses should have a dental examination at least once a year. More frequent checks may be needed for older horses or those with conditions such as gaps between the teeth (diastema), missing or damaged teeth, jaw misalignment, abnormal wear patterns or gum disease.

Adding a reminder to your diary is an easy way to stay on top of your horse's dental health and help prevent problems before they become serious.

Our vets are fully qualified to carry out dental examinations for horses, ponies and donkeys.

📞 To register or book an appointment, call 0131 664 5606.

23/10/2026

Our BA Gemma Sellar has joined the British Dressage - Scotland Region committee as Judges Rep! Congratulations Gemma!

WELCOME Gemma

We are delighted to welcome Gemma Sellar to the BD Scotland Committee as the Judges Rep. Gemma brings with her a wealth of experience being a List 3 judge who is currently working on upgrading to List 3a.

Gemma has a genuine interest in the development of judges and ensuring the pathway continues to provide a clear, supportive and consistent route for progression. As both a judge and a competitor, Gemma understands the requirement for consistent, fair and encouraging judging and the benefit that brings to all of our members out competing.

Gemma will be a familiar face to many as she has been out competing with her own horse, Bondi and Gemma is now bringing on her lovely youngster, Robbie.

Gemma will be a great asset to the Committee - Thank you Gemma

22/10/2026

Malcolm was out recently, castrating a miniature shetland.

Colts can be castrated at any age, but we recommend between 6 and 18 months, as younger c**ts generally recover more quickly and experience fewer complications.

We advise scheduling castrations in spring or mid-autumn to avoid muddy conditions and reduce the risk of infection from flies.

🩺Pre-castration Check
Before booking a castration, a veterinary surgeon will carry out a pre-castration examination to confirm both testicles have descended and that the c**t is fit for a general anaesthetic.

If required, flu and tetanus vaccinations may be started before the procedure. Colts that have not completed their initial tetanus vaccination course will require a tetanus antitoxin at the time of castration.

Once these checks have been completed and the veterinary surgeon is satisfied, the castration can be scheduled.

😷The Procedure
Where suitable facilities are available and the c**t is fit and healthy, castration can usually be performed at your yard, reducing stress for the horse.

Central Equine Vets perform castrations under general anaesthetic, with two vets present: one carrying out the surgery and the other monitoring the anaesthetic.

The procedure must be carried out in a clean, flat, dry field or an indoor or outdoor arena with a non-dusty surface. Colts are not castrated in stables due to the increased risks associated with recovery from anaesthesia.

The surgery itself typically takes around 30 minutes. Afterward, the gelding is allowed to recover naturally in its home environment, with recovery times varying between horses.

Your veterinary surgeon will provide full post-operative care instructions and remains available should you have any concerns during recovery.

If you have any questions regarding castration, contact us on Tel: 0131 664 5606 or email us at [email protected].

20/10/2026

BA Imogen Casely Dressage and her latest achievements! Superb results.

16/10/2026

Sheath Cleaning: Do or Don't?
Horse owners commonly ask us if male horses need routine sheath cleaning. In most cases, the answer is no. Healthy horses usually require little or no intervention, although some may occasionally need attention.

Regular observation is more important than routine cleaning. When your horse urinates, take the opportunity to check the sheath and p***s. Knowing what is normal for your horse will help you spot problems early.

A healthy sheath should be smooth, with no sores, swelling, cracking, blistering or discolouration. The p***s should be smooth, slightly glossy and free from wounds, lumps or unpleasant odours. Small amounts of sm**ma or flaky debris are normal and can range from yellow to brown/black.

Excessive sm**ma build-up can sometimes cause problems. Warning signs include difficulty extending the p***s, reluctance to urinate, repeated attempts to urinate, discomfort, dark coloured urine, tail swishing, hind-leg stamping or kicking, sensitivity when girthing and bucking.

If your horse sprays urine rather than producing a steady stream, he may have a build-up of sm**ma in the urethral fossa, often called a "bean". Veterinary examination is recommended if any warning signs are present. Avoid extensive cleaning, as over-cleaning can disrupt the skin's natural pH balance and may worsen the problem.

The sheath is largely self-cleaning. Sm**ma is a natural secretion that lubricates and protects tissues. Some horses produce more than others, and this variation is normal. If debris is excessive, gently remove loose material and rinse with warm water.

If examining the sheath:
• Safety first; some horses may kick
• Contact your vet if your horse will not tolerate examination. Sedation may be required
• Wear disposable gloves and use only warm water and cotton wool if cleaning is required
• Avoid soaps, antiseptics and antibacterial washes
• Use a water-based lubricant if needed
• Never force the p***s from the sheath.

For most horses, routine sheath cleaning is unnecessary. Careful observation and prompt veterinary advice remain the best approach to maintaining sheath health and wellbeing.

14/10/2026

🍁Sycamore Toxicity and Atypical Myopathy in Horses
🧬Seeds, leaves and seedlings from sycamore trees contain the toxin Hypoglycin A (HGA), which can cause atypical myopathy in grazing horses.

💉Following ingestion, HGA disrupts normal energy production within muscle cells, resulting in severe muscle damage. Clinical signs may initially resemble "tying-up", with affected horses appearing stiff, uncomfortable and reluctant to move.

🌡️As the disease progresses, horses may develop marked weakness, muscle tremors and dark red or brown urine. Additional signs include a fast or irregular heartbeat, increased respiratory rate, depression, sweating and a characteristic head-down posture.

🩺Clinical deterioration can occur rapidly, with signs developing within hours of toxin ingestion. Prompt veterinary attention is essential, as early intervention can improve the chances of survival.

🚑Despite treatment, atypical myopathy carries a guarded prognosis, with reported survival rates of approximately 30-40%. Many affected horses require intensive supportive care and hospitalisation, and recovery may take several months.

🔍Prevention remains the most effective strategy. Sycamore seeds, seedlings and fallen leaves should be removed from grazing areas wherever possible. Providing supplementary forage, such as hay or haylage, may help reduce the likelihood of horses grazing in contaminated areas. Consider relocating horses to alternative pasture during periods of high risk, particularly in autumn when seeds and leaves are shed and in spring when seedlings emerge.

🌳It is important to note that HGA concentrations vary considerably between seeds, seedlings and leaves, as well as between individual trees and even within different parts of the same tree. The Royal Veterinary College offers diagnostic testing to determine HGA concentrations in sycamore samples, which may assist with risk assessment and pasture management decisions.

👉If you have any questions or cause for concern, you can contact us on 0131 664 5606.

09/10/2026

Practice Partner Matt Hanks was visiting Totleywells Equestrian this week to deliver staff training to the team.

They covered emergency first aid and when to call the vet and everyone did a brilliant job!

Great skills to learn and a great way to develop first aid confidence around horses. 🚨🩹🌡️🐴