Cliffe Equine Vets

21/08/2025

𝐀𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

Some sources indicate that 2025 is likely to be a mast year. A mast year is when trees, particularly oak and beech, produce a large crop of fruits and nuts (mast). While this is great for Mother Nature, it brings a fresh risk to our equids, in the form of Acorn poisoning.

Acorns and Oak leaves contain a substance called tannic acid and can cause serious illness if ingested in a sufficient quantity. Horses will not usually choose to eat acorns due to their bitter taste, however, if their pasture is bare, they may ingest acorns as they forage for food. This can be caused by overgrazing or long, hot summers as we have had this year. Whilst eating a very small amount of acorns is almost harmless, they can also be addictive with horses actively searching for them.

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: To prevent acorn/leaf ingestion, the most obvious option is to avoid using pasture with oak trees present. If unavoidable, manually remove acorns daily by hand or with a rake. This can be time consuming, so consider fencing off the oak tree including its branch span to avoid grazing in that area. Ensure supplementary feed is provided if forage is low, to avoid temptation to snack on acorns.

𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧: Gastroenteritis, Kidney damage

𝐒𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫:
- Dull demeanour, depression or lethargy
- Colic
- Loss of appetite
- Increased periods of lying down
- Mouth ulcers
- Blood in urine or faeces
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Ataxia

𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭: Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for tannic poisoning. Care given will depend on severity of the symptoms and the stage of the illness but will often include pain relief and intravenous fluid therapy.

Acorn poisoning can be fatal, and we'd advise anyone that suspects their horse of having it to call their vet immediately. As always, early intervention is imperative for a positive prognosis.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding Acorn Poisoning, please call us on 01323 815120 and we can arrange a chat with one of our vets, or email [email protected].

14/08/2025

𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 - 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲

Our offices will be closed on Monday 25th August for the summer bank holiday. Rest assured out of hour services remain open - you can call us on our normal number of 01323 815120.

If your horse requires medication, please ensure you order in good time to avoid running low over the long weekend.

12/08/2025

𝐁𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐮𝐩 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Blindley Heath Horse Trials proved to be another successful event, especially for Cliffe Equine clients! Vicky Whiteman and her striking grey Marty came 1st in the BE80, Karen Allsopp and the magnificent Basil came 8th in the BE80, while Evie Norman and her lovely boy, Prince, came in a 9th in the BE90. As sponsors of the event, we had a selection of Cliffe Equine's vets in attendance, and to provide the much appreciated bun run to the fabulous jump judges and volunteers on the cross country course - bespoke Cliffe Equine Krispy Kremes made another well received appearance. A big thank you to the organisers for putting on another brilliant event - we love being part of the Blindley Heath team!

28/07/2025

*** COMPANION FOUND - thank you for everyone's help 🥰 ***

𝐑𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢 (𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐨):

One of our staff members is moving her horse to her home address as of September and needs a companion for her well mannered super cob gelding.

Requirements:
Small and a nice person (towards humans and other horses). No requirement to be ridden and EMS/lami history acceptable, owner is experienced and diligent.
Must be happy to be left alone while other horse is ridden (would consider two minis with this in mind but must be happy in a 12 x 12 stable together) Must be respectful of electric fencing initially as post and rail not yet in place.

What’s on offer:
A stable, as much or as little grass as required, a loving and knowledgeable home. Lots of scratches and fuss.

The appropriate rescue centres will be contacted in due course, but if anyone knows of anything suitable please comment below.

23/07/2025

𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥’𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐧𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤!

As most of you may know, lovely Basil has had an incredibly tough year so far, being involved in a horrific RTA eleven months ago (whilst on his way to our hospital to undergo atrial fibrillation surgery) and suffering with multiple complications since, it’s safe to say he’s had a rough ride!

That, however, makes us being able to share this post with you even more special. Not only is Basil back out competing with his doting owner, Karen, but they came out on top at Brightling Horse Trials over the weekend bringing home a 1st place rosette! It was the icing on the cake that our vet Sophie was the vet on call for the event and got to see them whizzing across the finish line, having also been the first vet in attendance to the RTA those months ago.

Congratulations Karen and Basil, your story is both triumphant and admirable!

15/07/2025

𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐥'𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞

After 31 years of equine practice, Karl Holliman is moving on to pastures new! While we’re devastated to see him go, we’re pleased to say he’ll be remaining within the wider IVC group, joining New Priory Hospital as the Director of Clinical Services and turning his hand to small animal practice. We have no doubt he’ll make waves and look forward to him whizzing by on his bike and updating us all soon.

All the best Mr H!

14/07/2025

⭐𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐓 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠!⭐

Call us today on 01323 815120 to book your horse in to one of our incredibly cost effective clinics.

𝐆𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜
𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 & 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Have your horse scoped for gastric ulcers with huge savings - £80* per horse
Does your horse display signs of any of the following?

• Aggression
• Wind sucking
• Colic
• Resistance to tacking up
• Poor performance such as reluctance to go forward
• Stopping or running out at jumps
• Struggle to keep weight on?

If yes to any of the above, your horse may have gastric ulcers

Each horse will be scoped and where necessary be given a detailed treatment plan by one of our experienced vets

£80* including sedation (usually £400 without sedation, a huge saving of over £320)

or *£180 including sedation for horses that have received treatment for ulcers in the last 12 months (usually £300 without sedation)

Please note, these prices are for the initial scope only, any subsequent scopes booked outside of a clinic will be charged at the standard rate of £300.

Treatment often covered by insurance, please check with your provider.

Limited spaces so book fast by calling 01323 815120 or email [email protected]

10/07/2025

𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐭...𝐧𝐨 𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐮𝐬!

Our tips here:

08/07/2025

𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 - 𝐰𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩!

Please take the time to fill out the Equine Herpes Virus survey.

Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) is a common and devastating infectious equine disease - Help identify the most effective ways to minimise its risk.

The survey is quick and easy to complete, and be in the running to win an Equine First Aid Kit!

https://zoetis.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6Ff9CS5h7ZoDci2

If you have any questions about EHV or would like to book your horse in for an EHV vaccination, please do not hesitate to call us on 01323 815120

01/07/2025

Only a handful of space remain - don't miss out on the opportunity to watch our FIRST lung dissection.

Only £15 per head including a delicious hot dinner.

Call us on 01323 815120 or email [email protected]

𝐍𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠

Have you arrived at your yard to be met with a snotty nose?
Would you ignore it, or would you assume something more sinister?

Strangles, EHV, Choke...the list goes on.

Join us on the 10th of July at our hospital in Laughton to discuss all things nasal discharge.

Tickets are £15 and include a delicious hot meal. Book now to avoid disappointment!

To book, call us on 01323 815120 or email [email protected]

30/06/2025

𝐆𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐜
𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 & 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟑𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

Have your horse scoped for gastric ulcers with huge savings - £80* per horse
Does your horse display signs of any of the following?

• Aggression
• Wind sucking
• Colic
• Resistance to tacking up
• Poor performance such as reluctance to go forward
• Stopping or running out at jumps
• Struggle to keep weight on?

If yes to any of the above, your horse may have gastric ulcers

Each horse will be scoped and where necessary be given a detailed treatment plan by one of our experienced vets

£80* including sedation (usually £400 without sedation, a huge saving of over £320)

or *£180 including sedation for horses that have received treatment for ulcers in the last 12 months (usually £300 without sedation)

Please note, these prices are for the initial scope only, any subsequent scopes booked outside of a clinic will be charged at the standard rate of £300.

Treatment often covered by insurance, please check with your provider.

Limited spaces so book fast by calling 01323 815120 or email [email protected]