PJ McMahon Equine Vets

25/06/2026

Hope everyone is keeping safe in this hot weather! ☀️☀️☀️

Tips to keep cool -

WATER - on a normal day a horse will drink 30-40 litres and this can easily double when the temperature rises. If you don’t feel they are drinking enough can add things like molasses, apple juice, carrots to encourage them.

MASH - the wetter the better, keeps their guts moving and can sneak in extra water into them.

ICE CUBES - make an ice salad or ice cube mixed with carrots, apples, swede, parsnips.

IN/OUT - brick and stone stables are usually cooler but wooden stables are like a sauna. Out is usually better as long as you have shaded areas.

SALT/ELECTROLYTES - ad lib access to salt licks are ideal. Replacing electrolytes with a supplement is also a good idea - there are lots available now paste, liquid or powders.

HOSING - start at the legs and work your way up. Don’t scrape excess water off.

EXERCISING - avoid hotter part of the day, first thing in the morning is currently the coolest. Avoid traveling unless in an emergency.

Signs of dehydration in horses -
🌡️ Lethargy and depression
🌡️ Darker colour urine
🌡️ Reduced urination
🌡️ Dry gums & slow capillary refill
🌡️ Loss of skin elasticity
🌡️ Incressed heart and respiratory rate
🌡️ Stiffness

If you have any worries or want advice please call the office on 01403 871331

22/06/2026

16/06/2026

And to keep it in the family.... congratulations to Ned Hine and the Balanz team for the Queens Cup win

16/06/2026

Well, it is a fast news day! We look forward to seeing Milly Hine in action playing for the England Women's team this weekend against the USA

16/06/2026

And another success to celebrate - many congratulations to Lucia Caroline for winning team gold on Holly. Superstar in the making

16/06/2026

Congratulations from us all at Kings Park Equine Clinic to David Dunsdon aboard Warning Sign for his spectacular win at Goodwood on Friday. Won in style 👏

08/06/2026

☔️🌧️ Happy wet Monday everyone ☔️🌧️
A little post from a little client to make you smile! Our tallest vet Nuno visited this curious mini who insisted in helping with his own diagnosis! 🥰

21/05/2026

🌞 Temperatures are rising across the UK this weekend, with forecasts into the 30s - so be on the alert for heatstroke in horses, hounds, and humans at polo and keep the HPA’s rules and guidance in mind:

📘 Read the Extreme Heat Guidance available in the HPA Welfare Booklet, available online and in print
🐎 Try to travel and play early or late to avoid the hottest part of the day
🚛 Do not travel in temperatures over 30°C unless the vehicle is temperature-controlled
🪟 Open all windows and reduce the number of horses travelling together for increased airflow
🪣 Carry extra water on board in case of a breakdown or traffic emergency
🧽 Use aggressive cooling measures on horses after play and monitor carefully
🫗 Make sure fresh water is available at all times
🌳 Keep horses in the shade as much as possible
🐶 Do not leave dogs in cars or horseboxes
🧴 Apply suncream to sensitive areas
🧃 Remember to hydrate people too!

⚠️ If the temperature is 28°C or above, or there is an amber  weather warning in place, free changes are to be given during play.

📸 

   

18/05/2026

🩸Did you know we have our own in house laboratory equipment to run basic blood tests straight away 🩸

15/05/2026

💡SHOCKWAVE💡

We use mobile shockwave therapy regularly to support faster, better healing in sport and leisure horses, using some of the most recent technology available in equine medicine.

BENEFITS
🐴 Soft Tissue Injuries: Highly effective for proximal suspensory desmitis, tendonitis and collateral ligament desmitis.
🐴 Bone Healing: Used to treat splints and bucked shins.
🐴 Joint & Back Pain: Used for treatment of osteoarthritis, navicular syndrome and thoracolumbar pain (kissing spines).
🐴 Wound Healing: Promotes tissue proliferation and reduces inflammation in chronic wounds.

HOW IT WORKS
🩸Increases blood flow, decreases pain receptor sensitivity and promotes tissue remodeling.

If you’d like to know whether this could help your horse, feel free to reach out and we’ll happily talk you through what we do 01403 871331