Cotts Equine Hospital

24/10/2025

To add to the creation of the United Nations, the completion of the first transcontinental telegraph line, and the first person to ever go over Niagara Falls in a barrel (?!), October 24th marks some important events here too.

Today, Georgie leaves us for six months as she embarks on her travelling sabbatical. There can’t be many of you who don’t know Georgie by now, having been with us for a long time. We wish her a fantastic, adventure-filled time and cannot wait to hear all about it on her return.

Carrie is making a welcome return to us and will be covering Georgie during her absence. Welcome back Carrie!

Ffion is moving from our Narberth hospital and will now be based in Cowbridge. It may not be a million miles away, but her presence around the office will be missed in Narberth.

And finally, it’s a goodbye to reception team member, Maddie, and Swansea-based Vet Ilaria Berti. Good luck to you both. It has been a pleasure working with you, and we will all miss you. Thank you for everything.

16/10/2025

Cases can come in all manner of forms, but there are some that you don’t hear about every day, so we are sharing this case with the kind permission of the owner to reiterate the importance of regular checking of your horse and highlighting anything out of the ordinary – no matter now minor it is.

Please note: The following article contains graphic images and footage of a medical nature that some may find upsetting. Please proceed with caution. Footage for educational purposes.

https://www.cottsequine.co.uk/post/penile-cancer-in-older-geldings

16/10/2025

There are many conditions that can be detected by examining a horses teeth, and as they are constantly growing, it is imperative to keep on top of them.

Please join us at our dental day on Thursday 20th November. All bookings receive £10 off.

Please call 01834 860871 to book.

11/10/2025

You will all have seen our recent posts about Strangles and the harm it can cause to horses. If you haven’t had a chance to see these yet, you can access them through the link below.

We are pleased to tell you that we continue to offer our Strangles vaccination. More information about this vaccine, including post vaccination information, can also be accessed through the link.

We will be running a vaccination amnesty from 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟓𝐭𝐡 𝐎𝐜𝐭𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐫 - 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟏𝟐𝐭𝐡 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫.

So what do you need to do?

Book in for your first vaccination between those dates, and a second vaccination four weeks later.

The first vaccination is £50 inc VAT plus the visit fee. The second vaccination will be FREE to our clients - you will only pay for the visit fee.

However, don’t forget that we offer zone days on certain days and there is no fee visit if four or more horses are seen at the same yard. Please check our website for a full list of the zone days.

After the two vaccinations, you will need to give a vaccination booster every 6-12 months, depending on the local risk.

As ever, if you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with us. We know that it is a lot of information to absorb.

https://www.cottsequine.co.uk/post/strangles-vaccination-amnesty

You will all have seen our recent posts about Strangles and the harm it can cause to horses. If you haven’t had a chance to see these yet, you can access them through the following two links.Strangles - What you need to knowStrangles - Testing and Control Explained We are pleased to tell you that ...

10/10/2025

As we draw closer to the final whistle on the working week, there are some for whom it marks the start of the working week(end).

For us, Theresa in Pembs, Jack in Swansea and Jasmine in Cowbridge, are all on call for you this weekend.

Please call 01834 860871 if you need them. Please do not call the Vet directly.

Have a lovely weekend everyone.

10/10/2025

Today marks World Mental Health Day. A day that is dedicated to raising awareness, fighting stigma, and talking about Mental Health.

It is a reminder that mental health is as crucial as physical health, and its effects impact everything.

Life can change in an instant. None of us knows what lies around the corner. And, unlike us, mental health doesn’t have a day off or go on a holiday. It is present 24/7, completely overwhelming those affected and very often, unnoticed by those around them.

So, today, let’s start talking to each other about mental health in the same way we do about physical health - openly and honestly.

If you are suffering, or you know anybody who is, support is available. Here are a few key organisations that can help provide the first step towards a brighter, better future in complete confidentiality.

You’ve got this.

www.mind.org.uk
https://www.samaritans.org/wales/
www.thedpjfoundation.co.uk - serving the agricultural sector in Wales

07/10/2025

Goodbye to the lovely, super-efficient, Cara.

Cara has looked after the yard and stables (which as we all know is work that involves a lot of hard graft!), and has been worth her weight in gold. Thank you for everything, you will be missed here.

We wish you every success in your new venture. Keep us posted! Exciting times ahead.

03/10/2025

Twenty years ago, two fresh-faced Graduates and a little black dog called Fang, started on an adventure. Neither knew where it would take them or what would happen, but they knew one thing - they wanted to build Wales’ first Equine Hospital.

Cotts has come a long, long way since those days, and Graham and John have been joined by Richard, Shaun, Holly, and James along the way as the practice has grown. From its small roots in the Portacabin’s in Narberth, to the opening of the first hospital, then the addition of Swansea and later Cowbridge, to now, the fabulous new hospital in Cowbridge. Suffice it to say that things turned out pretty well.

The highlights are too many to mention; we’d be here all day. They cover the board - from the smaller ones to the ‘pinch yourself’ moments (Ok, so please allow us a moment on THAT visit today. It is our birthday!). And yes, it hasn’t always been easy, but it has been worth every second.

Of course, none of this is possible without the team that works tirelessly to make things happen, and we have been phenomenally blessed to have THE best people working at Cotts over the years. We are so very thankful to each and every one of you - past and present. Your commitment, enthusiasm, and drive are what make Cotts the practice it is.

And as for our clients, well, what can we say?! You truly are second to none, and we are very grateful for your loyalty and belief in us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

20 years. Wow. There seems to be little else left to say except here's to the next 20, and Happy 20th Birthday to us! Enjoy the reel - you might recognise a few faces!

24/09/2025

*NEW HOSPITAL UPDATE!*

We've come a long way since our last video, so we thought it was about time that James did another tour with you and talked about where we are at and what is to come over the next couple of months. We hope you are as proud of the new hospital as we are. Exciting times!

Over to you James....

23/09/2025

We are ! We are on the search for an Equine Veterinary Assistant for a 6-month sabbatical cover in our Narberth Hospital.

All details are in the link below, but if you have any questions, please email [email protected] for more information.

https://www.cottsequine.co.uk/post/equine-veterinary-assistant-6-month-sabbatical-cover

Are you passionate about horses and looking for a rewarding role in a supportive team? Cotts Equine, a busy and friendly equine veterinary practice based in beautiful Narberth, Pembrokeshire, is looking for an Equine Veterinary Assistant to join us for a 6-month sabbatical cover.What the job involve...

23/09/2025

Strangles is highly contagious bacterial infection that can seriously affect horses and, quite rightly, causes huge concern amongst owners.

Today, Graham builds on our post from yesterday and explains both testing and control strategies.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch should you have any questions.

Further link in comments.

20/09/2025

Following a rise in enquiries regarding current strangles in the South Wales area, we are resharing some information that may be helpful on our website. You can access this by clicking on the link below. It includes an overview written by our medicine specialist Shaun and a leaflet issued by the British Horse Society, which details symptoms to look out for within.

https://www.cottsequine.co.uk/post/strangles-what-you-need-to-know

One of the key issues in the spread of Strangles is the acceptance of new horses onto a yard with the results from only one negative blood test. However, this blood test alone does NOT detect asymptomatic carriers and as such, we would encourage our clients to test using guttural pouch wash samples submitted for PCR instead.

This is a complicated and understandably concerning topic, and we are aware that the information can seem overwhelming. To that end, please be aware that if you have any concerns or questions at all, please call us. We are here to help.