Fakenham Farm and Equine Vets

17/10/2025

Yesterday we held our first equine client evening.

We welcomed Roxane Kirton (The Equine Behaviour Vet ) to talk to the group on Ethical Weight Management. It was very well received with over 40 attendees and generated plenty of discussion. We covered topics including Grazing Muzzles, Strip Grazing, Track Systems and exercise management.

Thanks to Katering 4U for some fantastic food and to Fakenham Rugby Club for the facilities.

Looking forward we hope to make this a more regular occurrence so if there are any topics you'd like to hear about, let us know and we might be able to make it happen.

08/10/2025

🐑 🐂 Evening Farm Talk 🐂 🐑

Carcase Grading, Losses and Rejection

📅 Date: Wednesday 10th December
🕕 Time: Arrive from 5.30pm, talk to begin at 6pm.
📍 Venue: Fakenham Rugby Club, NR21 9RZ

We would love for you to join us at this evening where, along with AHDB and Anglia Quality Meats, we will be discussing carcase grading and it’s impact on meat price along with causes of and ways to minimise rejection. This talk is open to everyone, not just our own clients.

As previously, food will be provided and the bar will be open.

We had a good turnout at our May meeting on Sheep parasites and will expect the same at this one so please do sign up early.

5.30 — Arrival
6.00 — Presentations
Market Update and Consumer Trends
Carcase Grading and the EUROP grid
Carcase Rejection and prevention
7.30 — Food
8.30 — Close

19/06/2025

Don't forget with all this hot weather that animals can overheat and can also get heat stroke.

Here are some tips on how to avoid your horse getting heat stroke:

☀️Exercising your horse should be done during cooler times, so early in the morning or late in the evening

☀️Make sure you cool down your horse afterwards by hosing them down, pouring water from buckets over the back or using a sponge with cold water all over their body

☀️Shelter - make sure your horse has access to shelter or shade during the heat of the day

☀️Water should be available at all times - have multiple sources of water available in the field and consider adding a flavouring e.g. apple juice to encourage more water intake.

☀️ Flies are especially prevalent and can be very stressful for horses as they try to avoid them. Ensure fly protection is in place and keep the paddocks free of poo.

☀️ Don’t forget to apply suncream, especially to those pink noses.

If you are worried about possible heat stroke then please give us a call as soon as possible. The signs you are looking for include:

➡️ Weakness
➡️ Increased temperature (normal temperature should be37.5-38.5°C)
➡️ High respiratory and heart rate (normal respiration rate should be 12-16 breaths per minute/normal heart rate should be 30-45 beats per minute)
➡️ Lethargy/ appearing depressed

☎ ☎ Remember we have someone on the end of the phone line 24/7 so just call if you have any worries - - 01328 633025.

17/06/2025

Check your inboxes!

Our first equine newsletter in a LONG time has finally arrived. The two main items we talk about are Laminitis and Strangvac, the recently available vaccination against Strangles.

If you haven't received it but would like to, then let us know and we can send it on.

As ever, any queries or enquiries then get in touch.

📞 01328 633025
🖥 [email protected]

03/06/2025

So we are here again.

5 months after we opened our books to new client registrations we are closing them again. As before we do not want to risk compromising the care and time that we can give to our existing clients so we will temporarily be taking this step.

We will be running a waiting list and will periodically be taking registrations from that list so please do still get in touch when you are interested and ready.

As ever, thank you to everyone who continues to recommend us we really appreciate all the support you folks give.

30/05/2025

We're still very proud to be associated with our local fantastic Rugby Club.

29/05/2025

Farmers can now apply for grants to support purchases of a variety of equipment through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. This is part of the wider Animal Health and Welfare Pathway. Grants can range from £1000 to £25000 and would be expected to account for 40-50% of the cost of an item. Applications are only open for the next 6 weeks so please do work quickly if you are interested.

Follow the link attached to find out more.

Updates from Defra's Farming and Countryside Programme

28/05/2025

🌧🌧🌧
It feels like we've been waiting for a long time for the rain to come and now that it has there are 2 things we want you to look out for --- Colic and Laminitis.

🌱🌱🌱
The rain will stimulate a real flush of grass growth - we certainly need this but it could bring with it some problems.

🐴🐴🐴
The change of diet will lead some horses to colic; look out for the common signs like flank watching, restlessness, lip curling and rolling but be aware of loose feces and inappetence.

The BHS image attached gives a good idea of what to look for as signs of laminitis. If you've got any slight suggestion of laminates then get in touch straight away. The sooner we can address an issue the less severe it will be.

If you're concerned about the ongoing risk in your pony or horse we would really recommend a blood test. This can assess for the short and medium term risk to the animal as well as giving guidance on any preventative measures that could be implemented e.g. Diet or Cushings Medication.

20/05/2025

15/05/2025

09/05/2025