RVC Equine

30/10/2025

🎆Top Tips for Fireworks Night! 🎆

Day 4: Safety First!

🔨Top Tip 7: Walk your fields to make sure there are no weak spots in your fencing or things your horse could hurt themselves on (check your stable too!)
🚒Top Tip 8: Have a fire safety plan in place, in case the worst should happen...

If you need any support or advice then give us a call on 01707 666297 and don't miss out on Day 5 with our 'What to do on the day' tips!

29/10/2025

🎆Top Tips for Fireworks Night! 🎆

Day 3: Keeping your horse calm - it's all in the preparation!

🕕Top tip 5: Establish a routine - your horse is most calm when they know what to expect, so if you usually bring in at night it might be best to leave them in as normal.
🐎Top Tip 6: If your horse has a good friend then keep them close together - horses are herd animals so generally feel safer together.

Don't hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions or concerns (01707 666297) and don't miss Day 4!

29/10/2025

🏇 Researchers from the RVC have launched a major new study to improve the safety and welfare of Thoroughbred racehorses in training. The project will provide vital evidence to help reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injury, one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in racehorses worldwide.

➡️ Read more: https://rvc.uk.com/racehorse-TIPS
✍ Racehorse trainers interested in taking part in this study are encouraged to register their no-obligation expression of interest: https://rvc.uk.com/TIPS-form

28/10/2025

🎆Top Tips for Fireworks Night! 🎆

Day 2: Know what, when and where to feel more prepared...

🗣️Top tip 3: Ask around locally to find out what displays are planned, where they are and when they plan to start/end...
📆Top Tip 4: Know the rules! Fireworks are generally restricted to between 11pm and 7am, expect for certain celebrations such as Bonfire night (5th November) when it is extended to midnight...

Keep a look out for Day 3!

28/10/2025

🐎 Despite the fact that we are heading into autumn, we still need to be vigilant when it comes to laminitis. The grass will continue to grow when the temperature is above 4°C, and on bright frosty mornings it will continue to make sugar but not use it up for growth, increasing the amount of sugar in each mouthful of grass.

Research has shown that 90% of cases of laminitis are associated with an underlying endocrine (hormone) disease, with the two most common being equine metabolic syndrome (EMS) and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID; also known as equine Cushing’s disease). In both of these diseases, it is high blood concentrations of the metabolic hormone insulin that seem to be responsible for causing the laminitis, and diet plays a big role in how much insulin there is in the blood at any given time, alongside the presence of EMS and PPID.

It is important that animals with EMS or PPID are fed a diet low in sugar and starch and high in good-quality fibre to try and keep circulating insulin concentrations as low as possible.

➡️ Read more of our laminitis research: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/research/projects/researching-laminitis-risks-for-horses-and-ponies

📺 Equine lecture series 2025: Laminitis - raising endocrine awareness CPD from Nicola Menzies-Gow: https://cpd.rvc.ac.uk/cpd-courses/equine-lecture-series-2025-laminitis

27/10/2025

🎆Top Tips for Fireworks Night! 🎆

Fireworks night (and weekend) is fast approaching, so don't miss our series of top tips counting down until the main event!

Day 1: What can your vet do to help??

💊Top tip 1: Contact your vet early this week if you think you and/or your horse will need any extra support or medications (such as sedation)...
☎️Top Tip 2: Make sure your horse is microchipped (this is a legal requirement) and the contact details are up to date, should something happen!

We can also give you lots of other tips and tricks on keeping your horse safe and happy this firework season, so keep an eye out for our next post!

24/10/2025

The equine MOT - why maintenance matters

🗓️ Wednesday 3rd December 2025
⏱️ 6:30pm – 9:00pm
📍 RVC Equine - Hawkshead Campus, near Potters Bar, Hertfordshire

Join Nicola Fossey for essential tips to keep your horse healthy this winter and year ahead

◾Life-Saving Prevention: Vaccinations & Parasite Control.
◾Early Detection: Catching injuries/illnesses early can save lives.
◾Legal & Medical Must-Haves: Understanding Horse Passports.
◾Q&A session included!

✨ Early Bird Offer: Book all 6 events for the price of 5!
➡️ Book now https://cpd.rvc.ac.uk/cpd-courses/equine-lecture-series-2025-equine-mot

21/10/2025

🌰 Acorn poisoning in horses 🌰

What you need to know:
Acorns contain tannic acid, which, when eaten in sufficient quantities, can cause poisoning. Acorn poisoning is rare due to their bitter taste, but some horses are more sensitive than others. While some may tolerate a few acorns, others cannot. Horses in overgrazed paddocks or with limited forage are at higher risk of eating acorns.

How to reduce the risk:
• Remove acorns from the field where possible
• Avoid using fields until acorns are gone
• Provide plenty of good-quality forage
• Prevent access to oak trees and fallen acorns

There is no specific test for acorn poisoning, so diagnosis relies on clinical signs. Clinical signs to watch for:
• Acorn husks in droppings
• Colic
• Dark diarrhoea
• Loss of appetite
• Swelling of legs or belly
• Kidney or liver damage in severe cases

Treatment:
There is no specific treatment for acorn poisoning, so prevention is essential. Supportive care is provided to manage clinical signs, and intravenous fluids can help reduce or prevent organ damage.

If you suspect acorn poisoning or notice any of these signs, please contact the RVC Equine Practice immediately on 01707 666297

17/10/2025

🐎 Meet Dandy, a 24-year-old Native Pony gelding who was referred to the RVC Equine Hospital with facial swelling, nasal discharge, and breathing difficulties caused by a large right-sided paranasal sinus cyst.

Our Equine Surgery team, led by Alex Hawkins (EBVS and RCVS Specialist in Equine Surgery), performed a standing frontonasal bone flap surgery and temporary tracheostomy to remove the cyst and restore normal airflow.

💉 Throughout the procedure, Dandy remained calm and comfortable under sedation and local anaesthesia. The surgery was a success — airflow through his right nostril improved immediately, and his recovery progressed smoothly.

Post-operatively, Dandy received antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and careful daily care, including sinus flushing and tracheostomy site management. He was soon able to graze in-hand and was discharged just a few days later.

Thanks to the expert care from our team, Dandy is now breathing easier and recovering well at home under the care of his referring vet, Iris Maric-Mur MRCVS of Tyrrells Equine Clinic.

👏 A huge thank you to Dandy’s dedicated owner, Mrs Mandy Sheppard, and his veterinary team for their trust and collaboration.

➡️ Learn more about our Equine Surgery Service: https://www.rvc.ac.uk/equine-vet/hospital-and-specialists

13/10/2025

Huge congratulations to Simba (Elmswood Spring Parade) and all his connections on being crowned Supreme Champion Pony at HOYS 2025 - we’re thrilled it all worked out so well after his time with us!

A special mention of thanks to the Royal Veterinary College Animal Care Trust Alice Noakes MCT, whose support helped fund the specialist equipment used in Simba’s care.

https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/showing/2025-supreme-champion-pony-accolade-907357?fbclid=IwY2xjawNZwG5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFZdGdOQUJIT1Z6Q1U5UG11AR7WHlFJBRVKFVl4IHVMILJmfK4nVdikC4ODS2tIEkCI2Wqmkq4mBBdhj3vR8g_aem_iqvZLd09JiW72uf5s60Cjg

John Harvey led Elmswood Spring Parade and Florence Rendall to the 2025 supreme champion pony accolade at Horse of the Year Show

30/09/2025

⏳Calling qualified equine vets!
Just one week left to book your place at this special event
Explore the challenges of cervical spinal nerve compression with our Referral Hospital team
📅 Tue 7 Oct - starts 18:30
🗺️ RVC Hawkshead Campus, near Potters Bar, Herts
Book online in advance
https://rvc.uk.com/equine-vet-event-Oct25

26/09/2025

🐴 Chester, a 24 year old Sports horse gelding, was referred to RVC Equine for investigation and treatment of acute colic signs. He had been found in the field by his owner showing colic signs in the morning. After examination by his vet, he received pain relief but when this failed to resolve the signs, his vet suspected a more severe type of colic and referred Chester to the RVC. Examination at the RVC quickly established that Chester had an obstruction of his small intestine and he underwent emergency colic surgery. This identified an entrapment of his small intestine by a lipoma, a fatty tumour commonly found in horses. Luckily, due to the quick action and referral of Chester’s vet the intestine was not compromised and no resection was necessary. Chester recovered quickly from his surgery with minimal complications and was discharged home after 8 days at the hospital. He is now recuperating at home and expected to return to his normal riding activities after 3 months of rest.

Colic, which essentially means abdominal pain, is a very common problem in horses and can have many different reasons. Most types of colic can be successfully treated in the field but occasionally, more severe types of colic require surgery to correct the underlying cause. In these cases, a quick referral to a surgical facility is essential to ensure quick intervention and the best possible outcome.