Oakhill Equine Vets

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Oakhill Equine Vets

Whilst Oakhill Veterinary Centre is able to take care of your veterinary needs for all species, this page is dedicated to the equine division.

Proudly independent practice - owned and run by the vets that work here! 15 equine-only vets providing ambulatory and clinic-based services across the North West of England. We provide ambulatory services throughout the North West of England and beyond. On-site we have extensive facilities for investigative diagnostic work as well as a modern surgery and anaesthesia suite. We also have the experti

se of a European Specialist in equine lameness and surgery. Routine services are available 08:30-18:00 weekdays and 08:30-13:00 on a Saturday. Out of hours emergency services are provided for the remainder of the time, year-round. We are always here for free and friendly telephone advice.

12/08/2026

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CLEAN MY GELDINGS SHEATH? 🤔
The short answer is it depends on the individual!

You want to clean often enough to reduce sm**ma build up but it is vital to avoid over-cleaning because this can upset the natural flora leading to fungal overgrowths and dysbiosis.

Sm**ma is a wax-like substance that is produced by the body. A large build up can lead to discomfort, swelling and even infection. Overweight horses are more prone to sm**ma build up and sheath swelling.

As a general rule, geldings should have their sheaths cleaned 1-2 times a year.

What should I use to clean my geldings sheath?
✔️ Warm water and cotton wool/sponge. Do NOT use any antiseptics such as Hibiscrub as this will kill off normal healthy bacteria.

When do I need to call a vet?
- If your horses sheath remains swollen despite cleaning and exercise
- If there is any discharge/foul smells
- If you notice any growths on the sheath/pen*s
- If your horse is struggling to urinate or seems painful

06/08/2026

WOUND FIRST AID

Wounds are one of the most common injuries seen in horses and can vary greatly in severity. Surprisingly, the most dramatic-looking wounds are not always the most serious. A small wound over a joint or tendon can have significant consequences if left untreated.

What to do if you discover a wound on your horse 🤔

1. If bleeding heavily, provided it to safe to do so, apply firm pressure using clean padding - such as a clean stable bandage or a clean tea towel. A pressure bandage can also be applied- multiple layers may be required to help slow the bleeding. Call us to attend as soon as possible.

2. If your horse is very lame do not move them. If able to walk, move slowly to a clean yard/stable and call us. If you are at all unsure whether you should move your horse or not, please call prior to attempting to move them.

3. Dirt in the wound- clean the wound using water. Dilution is the solution to pollution so don’t be afraid to keep flushing. Sedation may be required to enable thorough wound cleaning.

4. For deep wound or wounds near joints, please call us to attend so that we can determine if stitches/staples or further investigations are required.

Keeping a well-stocked equine first aid kit on the yard is a great way to ensure you're prepared to deal with accidents and emergencies quickly and effectively. Suggested contents:

✅ Thermometer
✅ Cotton wool
✅ Melolin
✅ Conforming bandages
✅ Co-plus/vet wrap
✅ Soffban
✅ Animalintex
✅ Hibiscrub/Pevidine
✅ 50ml catheter tip syringe
✅ Hoof pick
✅ Pen and paper
e

04/08/2026

BEHIND THE SCENES: UMBILICAL HERNIA SURGERY
This video shows our equine surgeons, Guy and Rosie, performing an umbilical hernia repair - a routine procedure for our experienced team.

Did you know umbilical hernias are one of the more common congenital conditions seen in young foals? Umbilical hernias occur when the body wall doesn't fully close after birth where the umbilical cord was attached. Many small hernias will close naturally during the first few months of life. However, if they don't resolve on their own, surgery is often recommended when the foal is around one year old. If the hernia is not treated there is a small risk that intestine can get trapped in the hernia, but fortunately this is very rare.

03/08/2026

MEET PIP, OUR NEW CLINIC INTERN 👋
We're delighted to introduce the newest member of our equine team, Pip Cox, who joins us as our Equine Clinic Intern for the next 12 months.

During her internship, Pip will work alongside our clinic team, assisting with lameness investigations, diagnostic imaging, surgical, medical and dental procedures, as well as helping to care for our inpatients.

Pip graduated from the University of Bristol this summer and is excited to meet our wonderful clients and patients over the coming year. She enjoys all aspects of equine practice, with a particular interest in surgery and orthopaedics.

Outside of work, Pip enjoys baking, playing football and getting out for a walk. Originally from Oxfordshire, she's also looking forward to exploring the beautiful countryside here in the North.

Please join us in giving Pip a warm Oakhill welcome!

31/07/2026

OUR CUTEST EVER OUT OF HOURS PATIENT??! 😍
Our vet Abbie was called out the other night to see this adorable little mini donkey foal, weighing in at just 15kg!

28/07/2026

JOIN THE 1,650+ HORSES ALREADY ENJOYING THE BENEFITS OF OUR EQUINE CARE PLANS! 💚
Our Equine Care Plans (ECPs) are designed to make routine preventative healthcare easy, affordable, and stress-free for both you and your horse. Starting from just £9.50/month, members enjoy a range of essential services and exclusive discounts Every year they get:
✅ Health check
✅ Routine vaccinations (annual flu & tetanus)
✅ Routine dental examination with routine rasp / float incl. sedation if required

Plus:
✅ Discounted restarted vaccination courses
✅ Reduced visit fees - even out of hours!

Want even more value? Upgrade to our ECP Plus or Premium Plan and unlock extra savings and benefits, including our comprehensive Worm Control Plan.

With 1,650+ horses already signed up, can you afford not to join?
👉 https://www.oakhill-vets.com/equine/health-plans/equine-care-plans/

26/07/2026

I THINK MY HORSE IS LAME 🐎
What to do if you think your horse is lame...
✅ Stop. Your horse should not be ridden or worked until it has been assessed.
✅ Give the horse an initial assessment looking for any cuts, swelling, abscesses, heat etc.
✅ Pick out their hooves to check for any stones or foreign objects that could be causing discomfort.
✅ Restrict their movement by placing them in a stable or small paddock.
✅ Give us a call on 📞 01772 861300 to book a lameness exam either on your yard or in our clinic.
✅ Discuss treatment options with your vet including rehabilitation or medication.

25/07/2026

KEEPING A CLOSE EYE ON EVERY HORSE 👀
Did you know our equine clinic stables are monitored by CCTV? As well as carrying out regular overnight checks in person, like our intern Tom is doing here, our team can also monitor horses remotely using CCTV. This allows us to keep a close eye on patients around the clock and respond quickly if anything changes.

In this CCTV picture, one of our DSP surgery patients is having their pain score assessed and vital signs monitored to determine whether any additional pain relief or medication is needed overnight. Regular inpatient checks are one of the key responsibilities of our veterinary interns, helping to ensure every horse receives the highest standard of care throughout their stay.

And here's a fact you might not know... our interns are fully qualified vets! Usually in their first or second year after graduating, they're gaining hands-on experience with a huge variety of cases, in a clinical setting with mentors present prior to heading off into either an ambulatory role or a more specific training pathway.

Address

Langley Lane
Preston
PR32JQ

Telephone

01772861300

Website

http://www.oakhill-vets.com/equine

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