Equivet Mobile Horse Veterinary Services

19/10/2025

18/10/2025

Only a couple of spaces left!

16/10/2025

Our Foot Balance Clinic is now well under way, with a focus on improving hoof balance and overall equine performance.

15/10/2025

🚨 URGENT TOPIC ALERT! 🚨

Is the thought of a forage shortage causing you worries? You're not alone!

We're launching our very first BETA Feed Fact Fortnight Webinar LIVE to tackle this issue head-on.

Winter Woes: Smart feeding when forage is scarce and quality is variable

Join us to get your questions answered and learn practical strategies from a brilliant panel:

Kate H**e (NAF)

Olivia Colton (Fox Feeds)

Katie Williams (Dengie Horse Feeds)

Tune in for their helpful tips and advice!

Save the date: 20th at 6:30 PM! We can't wait to see you there.

🗓 20th @ 6:30 PM

On Fb, YouTube and Linkedin
Or on catch up on our channels

What's your biggest forage concern this winter? Let us know below! 👇

15/10/2025

🌍🐴 Our vet, Alexia has just returned from an unforgettable week volunteering in Lesotho as an equine vet!

“Thanks to the incredible support of the BEVA Trust, the organisation of World Horse Welfare and the Semonkong Hospital Trust, I had the opportunity to contribute to a program focused on improving the health and welfare of working horses and donkeys — animals that are absolutely vital to daily life in the region. A big shoutout to my amazing Equivet Team for letting me sneak away for this adventure!

During the week, I treated a wide range of conditions including wounds, lameness, and eye issues. I also had the pleasure of teaching and working alongside veterinary students from Onderstepoort (University of Pretoria) and the National University of Lesotho. These students were extraordinary — handling everything from logistics and off-road driving to translation and even welding on-site!

A heartfelt thank you to the Basotho people and my South African colleagues for their warmth, hospitality, and collaboration. The mountain landscapes were absolutely breathtaking, and the richness of Lesotho’s culture made the experience even more special — though I’ve definitely seen enough saddle sores to last a lifetime 😅

This journey reminded me how powerful global cooperation can be — when we work together, we can make a real difference.”

10/10/2025

Healing Hooves, Healthy Minds: Honouring World Mental Health Day.

On World Mental Health Day, Equivet celebrates the unique bond between humans and horses, which can offer comfort and healing. Just as we care for the health of every horse, we encourage everyone to prioritise their mental wellbeing and seek support when needed. Together, let’s promote kindness and wellness for both horses and humans

09/10/2025

🦠💉 Is Your Horse Protected Against Equine Herpesvirus (EHV)? 💉🦠

We’ve had a lot of people requesting information about the EHV vaccine recently, so here’s an overview of why it’s important and how it can help protect your horses and others.

Equine Herpesvirus (EHV) is a highly contagious virus that can cause:

➡️ Respiratory disease – especially in young horses
➡️ Abortion in pregnant mares
➡️ Neurological disease (EHV-1 myeloencephalopathy) – which can lead to incoordination, weakness, or even recumbency

The virus spreads easily through direct horse-to-horse contact, shared equipment, and even through the air in close environments like stables or transport.

🛡️ Why Vaccinate?

Vaccination can help:
✔️ Reduce the severity and spread of disease
✔️ Minimise abortion risks in pregnant mares
✔️ Offer herd protection in shared environments
✔️ Fulfil requirements for some competition and breeding settings

💉 The EHV Vaccine – What You Need to Know:

🔹 We typically use the EHV 1,4 vaccine which helps to minimise the risks against both respiratory and abortion forms of the virus.
🔹 Vaccination schedule:

Adult horses (respiratory protection): Two doses 4–6 weeks apart, then boosters every 6 months

Pregnant mares: Vaccinate at 5, 7, and 9 months of gestation to help prevent abortion

Yard outbreaks or high-risk environments: Strategic vaccination may be recommended

🏇 Is your horse at risk?
If your horse travels, competes, mixes with other horses, or is in a breeding program — they should be protected.

☎️ Please contact the office today to book your EHV vaccination appointment or to speak to the team for further advice.

08/10/2025

🍂⚠ Autumn Warning for Horse Owners: Acorn & Sycamore Poisoning ⚠🍂

We've seen a high number of cases recently involving both acorn poisoning and sycamore poisoning (Atypical Myopathy) — please stay vigilant and check your pastures.

As leaves fall and seeds drop, horses are at increased risk, especially if grazing is limited. These seasonal toxins can be fatal if not caught early.

🌰 Acorn Poisoning (Oak Trees)
Acorns, oak leaves, and branches contain tannins that can lead to:

Colic

Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)

Lethargy

Kidney damage
➡ Horses often eat acorns out of boredom or hunger. Ensure they have access to plenty of safe forage and limit exposure to oak trees.

🍁 Sycamore Poisoning (Atypical Myopathy)
Fallen sycamore seeds ("helicopters") and seedlings contain hypoglycin A, which severely damages muscles.
Watch for:

Muscle weakness or stiffness

Sweating, trembling

Reluctance to move

Dark urine

Rapid breathing

✅ Preventive Tips:

Fence off or restrict access to oak and sycamore trees.

Regularly clear seeds and leaves from grazing areas.

Provide hay or other forage to reduce grazing on risky plants.

⚠ If you notice any unusual behavior in your horses or suspect they may have eaten acorns, contact your vet immediately.

Let’s spread the word and keep our horses safe this autumn! 🐴🍁

07/10/2025

Laser Therapy

Laser Therapy is a safe, non-invasive treatment option that can be used for a wide range of conditions, including:

Tendon and ligament injuries
Back pain
Joint pain
Muscle strains
Wound healing
Key Benefits of Laser Therapy:

Enhanced tissue repair and cell regeneration
Reduction of swelling and inflammation
Decreased muscle spasms
Relief from stiffness and pain
Accelerated healing and recovery

Are All Lasers the Same?

Not all lasers are created equal. The main difference between Class 3 and Class 4 lasers lies in their power output.

Class 3 lasers are lower-powered and typically treat surface-level conditions.
Class 4 lasers deliver higher power, allowing the light energy to pe*****te deeper into the body. This deeper pe*******on enables effective treatment of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and other deeper structures—not just the superficial layers.
Class 4 laser therapy offers a more comprehensive approach, making it an ideal choice for targeting chronic pain, deep tissue injuries, and more complex conditions.

Remember class 4 lasers can have significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic action, it is essential they are only used with an appropriate diagnosis and treatment plan from your vet.

06/10/2025

🚨Important Information for Horse Owners: Understanding EHV-1 🚨

Horses should be monitored closely for clinical signs of respiratory disease, incontinence and other neurological problems, have re**al temperatures taken twice daily; should the temperature exceed 38.5 degrees Celsius, please contact us to discuss. Other clinical signs include
-Nasal discharge
-Coughing
-Pyrexia (Fever/High Temperature)
-Incoordination
-Hind limb weakness
-Loss of tail tone
-Lethargy
-Urine dribbling
-Head tilt
-Leaning against a fence or wall to maintain balance
-Inability to rise

EHV-1 is contagious and spread by direct horse-to-horse contact via the respiratory tract through nasal secretions. It is important to know that this virus can also be spread indirectly through contact with physical objects that are contaminated with the virus:

-Human contaminated hands or clothing
-Contaminated equipment and tack
-Contaminated trailers used for transporting horses
-Contaminated wipe rags or other grooming equipment
-Contaminated feed and water buckets

The air around the horse that is shedding the virus can also become contaminated with the virus. Although it is known that the virus can be airborne, it is difficult to establish the distance the virus can spread in this manner under typical horse management and environmental conditions, but this may be 20-30 metres.

Those considering taking their horse to competitions in the current climate should consider vaccination as a preventative. Vaccination of horses that have had clinical signs may be detrimental. If you have any questions please contact one of our vets to discuss.