Shanaghan Veterinary Services - Dr Esther Skelly-Smith MRCVS

28/10/2025

🌟 Honoured and humbled to receive the NEWC Volunteer of the Year Award 2025 🌟

I’m deeply grateful to the National Equine Welfare Council (NEWC) for this recognition, and to all those across Northern Ireland and beyond who share a passion for improving equine welfare.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who continues to keep equine welfare high on the agenda — your support and shared determination make all the difference.

“Volunteer of the Year – Dr Esther Skelly-Smith (North of Ireland Veterinary Association - NIVA)

Esther has been an outstanding advocate for equine welfare in Northern Ireland and across the British Isles. She organised the first all-island Equine Welfare Symposium in 2024, bringing together horse owners, vets, farriers, charities, and government representatives. Through follow-up reports, stakeholder meetings, and ongoing initiatives, Esther continues to champion equine welfare, ensuring that discussion and action remain high on the agenda.”

18/10/2025

Great coverage of the North of Ireland Veterinary Association - NIVA Equine Welfare Symposium by Helen Sharp in this weeks copy of The Irish Field! A positive day which will lead to practical action here in Northern Ireland for equine welfare!

The Northern of Ireland Veterinary Association welcomes many top industry speakers for their annual equine welfare summit

15/10/2025

🏇 Huge Congratulations from Shanaghan Veterinary Services! 🩺🐴

We’re incredibly proud to see Shanaghan Velvet, bred at our own Shanaghan Horses at Shanaghan Hill Farm, take the top honours at the Horse of the Year Show 2025, winning both Lightweight Hunter of the Year and Overall HOYS Hunter of the Year Championship! 🌟

Massive congratulations to Amanda French and Will Morton for this outstanding achievement. 👏

02/10/2025

Have you booked your ticket yet to the NIVA Equine Welfare Symposium “Leading The Way For Horses” Sponsored by Summit?

03/09/2025

Have you booked on to the latest round of BHS health Days?

For just £20 you can discuss your horse one to one with a team of equine experts and we have spaces!! It’s just £20 per horse!! Don’t miss out!
We will discuss Pain, Comfort, Behaviour, Worms, Weight Management and Safety
Click on the links to find out more!
The dates and locations are as follows:-
Friday 19 September 2025 – Dalways Bawn Equestrian
11 Dalways Bawn Road, Carrickfergus BT38 9BY
Morning or afternoon programme (numbers are limited to 6 in the morning and 6 in the afternoon)
AM https://buytickets.at/bhsireland/1793459 (2 spaces)
PM https://buytickets.at/bhsireland/1793504 (1 space)
Saturday 20 September 2025 – Enniskillen Campus
2 Mullaghmeen Road, Levaghy, Enniskillen, BT74 4GF
Morning or afternoon programme (numbers are limited to 6 in the morning and 6 in the afternoon)
AM https://buytickets.at/bhsireland/1793491 (5 spaces)
PM https://buytickets.at/bhsireland/1793485 (6 spaces)
Sunday 21 September 2025 – Forge Equestrian & Track Livery
65 Forge Road, Derry, United Kingdom
Morning or afternoon programme (numbers are limited)
AM https://buytickets.at/bhsireland/1793507 ( 3 spaces)
PM https://buytickets.at/bhsireland/1793512 (1 space)

22/08/2025

The way veterinary surgery is delivered and regulated in the UK is about to change.

📜 The current dates back to 1966 and is no longer fit for purpose. Reform is urgently needed – and this is your opportunity to get informed and influence what new legislation could look like.

📅 Join us at 7pm, Wednesday 3 September for the first in a three-part webinar series aimed at vets with BVA President Liz Mullineaux and BVA Junior Vice President Rob Williams. BVA members and non-members welcome.

Together, they’ll explore:
🔒 The limitations of the current legislation
⚖️ The opportunities a new legislation presents
🏛️ The work BVA and others have been doing in this area

💬 The session will finish with a live Q&A, giving you the chance to put your questions directly to the speakers.

Register here 👉 https://ow.ly/bkws50WILkB

06/08/2025

🏇🇮🇪 Wishing All Our Clients the Very Best at the RDS Dublin Horse Show! 🇮🇪🏇

The RDS is where hard work, breeding, training and horsemanship come together on a world-class stage — and we’re proud to support the horses and riders heading there from our practice.

From youngstock to seasoned campaigners, we know the effort it takes to get to this level — and we’re behind you every stride of the way.

📍 Whether you’re in the showing ring, the jumping arena, or just soaking up the atmosphere, we hope it’s a week of sound legs, clear rounds and well-earned recognition.

🔬🐴 — Excellence in Equine Health, Rooted in Practice.

24/07/2025

🎉 Celebrating Future Vets 🎉

We are incredibly proud of Chloe, who has just completed the first part of her veterinary degree at Nottingham Veterinary School! 👩‍⚕️🐾

Chloe spent her placement year with Shanaghan Veterinary Services and Shanaghan Hill Farm during her first degree in Zoology At Queens University — and it’s been a privilege to support and watch her journey from student to future vet.

Her dedication, curiosity, and compassion were evident from day one, and we’re delighted to see her hard work paying off as she takes this next step.

At Shanaghan Veterinary Services and Shanaghan Hill Farm, we’re committed to developing young people by providing meaningful, hands-on experience that shapes careers and builds confidence.

Chloe, we’re so proud of everything you’ve achieved so far — and we’ll be cheering you on all the way! 👏💚

22/07/2025

🔍 Calling all horse owners and equine professionals across Northern Ireland! 🐴

Ashley Haskett, a master's student at Queen’s University Belfast, is conducting vital research into the farrier industry within our equine sector.

This short, anonymous survey (just 5–10 minutes) aims to gather real-world insights from those working on the ground — your input could help shape future understanding and provision in this key area of equine welfare.

📩 Take the survey here:
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=6ner6qW040mh6NbdI6Hyhk3OU7zWNnJLmcOTsVuOFRxUNlZTSTZDOTZJVjFSMlZQME1RMktCQzJXMC4u

📣 Please feel free to share with colleagues, students, and fellow horse owners. Every response makes a difference.

Supervised by:
Dr. Gareth Arnott, Dr. Grace Carroll & Dr. Esther Skelly-Smith, QUB



Queen's University Belfast Discover CAFRE North of Ireland Veterinary Association - NIVA One Equine Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs The British Horse Society Ireland Dr David Marlin Veterinary Northern Ireland BEVA - The British Equine Veterinary Association

21/07/2025

Dear Clients,

It is a legal requirement that all operators of establishments that keep equines are required to register their establishment with Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to option an Equine Establishment Premises number.

For more info follow the link below:

https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/publications/horse-premises-registration-document

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir MLA has urged owners and operators of establishments keeping equines, including horses, ponies, donkeys and zebras to register their establishment with DAERA to obtain an Equine Establishment Number (EEN) before 1 February 2026. More info: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/news/muir-takes-action-improve-equine-traceability-and-welfare-standards

Discover CAFRE
Northern Ireland Horse Board
Horse Racing Ireland
Horse Sport Ireland
Horse Council BC
The British Horse Society
Ulster Farmers' Union Young Farmers' Clubs of Ulster Rural Support Rural Community Network nidirect Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute Northern Ireland Environment Link Animal Health & Welfare NI

01/07/2025

✨ Exciting News ✨

We are honoured to share that Esther has been appointed by Minister Muir to the Board of The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute afbi_ni (AFBI). This is a part-time position that will compliment her busy practice work!

As a farmer and veterinary surgeon with a passion for animal welfare, rural sustainability, and evidence-based policy, she is proud to contribute to an organisation that plays such a critical role in shaping the future of agriculture, food, and the environment in Northern Ireland.

AFBI’s world-leading research supports innovation, biosecurity, and public trust in our agri-food systems — and she looks forward to working alongside colleagues who share a commitment to science-led progress and impact.

Thank you to those who have supported her professional journey so far.

https://www.afbini.gov.uk/news/minister-muir-makes-new-afbi-board-appointments

24/06/2025

💡 Did You Know? 💡

Dr. Esther Skelly-Smith BVMedSci (Hons) BVM BVS PCAC PgCert (WVA&CPM) CERP MRCVS
of Shanaghan Veterinary Services remains Ireland’s only equine veterinarian certified as a Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CERP) — a prestigious qualification awarded by the University of Tennessee.

At our Katesbridge clinic, Esther combines advanced veterinary expertise with a fully evidence-based approach to equine rehabilitation — helping horses recover from injury, improve performance, and reduce the risk of reinjury.

🧠 Spinal & soft tissue dysfunction
⚕️ Post-surgical & injury recovery
🏇 Performance optimisation
📍 Based in Katesbridge, Co. Down

If your horse needs expert care that’s backed by science and tailored to the individual, you’re in the right hands.

📩 Message us to learn how our rehab services could benefit your horse or to book an appointment visit our website www.svsvet.co.uk