Gem Equine Veterinary Services

29/08/2026

28/08/2026

Bank Holiday Visits! 🐴🐴

Due to high demand over the next week we are going to be offering a limited number of routine visits on August 31st Bank Holiday Monday.
Vaccinations, dentals, blood samples, examinations…
Please get in touch via WhatsApp or text message on 07709679672 to get booked in.

19/08/2026

This next 2 weeks some of you will get chance to meet Ellie. Ellie is a third year vet student who will be gaining all important clinical and hands on experience with us. Here she is with one of our patients getting some dental work done today! 🐎🦷

13/08/2026

QUIZ OF THE WEEK!
Can you guess what’s in our hands? 👀💧

Here are a few hints:
- It came from an equine patient.
- It’s hard, round, and has a very distinctive texture.
- It formed somewhere in the urinary system.
- It’s something our veterinary team occasionally encounters in horses.

What do you think it is? Drop your guess in the comments! ⬇️

12/08/2026

Jupiter the donkey 🫏

Meet Jupiter, a lovely donkey who we recently visited at his yard after his owners became concerned about his breathing.
After examination, we performed a thoracic ultrasound and a tracheal wash at the yard, allowing us to investigate what was happening in his airways and ultimately diagnose equine asthma.
We discussed a number of management changes with Jupiter’s owners to help reduce the amount of dust and spores he was exposed to, both in his diet and his environment. We also started him on steroid treatment to help reduce the inflammation in his airways.
We’re delighted to say that Jupiter is now doing really well! He’s back to enjoying life out in the field, with only minimal breathing problems — a fantastic result for this gorgeous boy. ☺️

Asthma in horses 🫁
Equine asthma is a common cause of coughing, nasal discharge and increased or difficult breathing. It is often associated with exposure to dust, moulds and other airborne particles, and management of the horse’s environment and diet can play an important role alongside veterinary treatment.
If you’re concerned about your horse’s breathing, we can help investigate the cause, including performing respiratory examinations and, where appropriate, procedures such as airway sampling and ultrasound. We can then work with you to develop a tailored treatment and management plan to help your horse breathe more comfortably and enjoy life to the fullest. Get in contact to discuss your pony’s breathing today 🐴💙

24/07/2026

This next 2 weeks some of you will get chance to meet Kitty. Kitty is a third year vet student who will be gaining all important clinical and hands on experience with us. Here she is with a gorgeous foal we met today! 🐴💉🩺

13/07/2026

Laminitis, EMS & PPID 🩻🐴💉

Coming through spring and summer we’re seeing a boom in the amount of laminitis cases.
Laminitis is one of the most serious and painful conditions affecting horses and ponies, but did you know that many cases are linked to underlying hormonal conditions?

The two most common conditions are:

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) 🌾
EMS is often seen in good doers who are overweight or have regional fat deposits (such as a cresty neck). Horses with EMS produce higher levels of insulin, and persistently high insulin and glucose can trigger laminitis.

Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) 🐎
Also known as Cushing's disease, PPID is most common in older horses and ponies. Signs can include a long or curly coat, increased drinking and urination, muscle loss, lethargy, recurrent infections, and laminitis. Horses with PPID may also develop insulin dysregulation, further increasing their laminitis risk.

How are they linked?
Both EMS and PPID can lead to insulin dysregulation, which is now recognised as one of the leading causes of laminitis. In many cases, successfully managing the underlying condition is key to reducing the risk of future laminitic episodes.

What can you do?
- Maintain a healthy body condition.
- Manage grazing carefully, especially during high-risk periods in spring and summer.
- Feed a balanced, low-sugar and low-starch diet where appropriate.
- Exercise regularly if your horse is sound and your vet advises it.
- Arrange testing for EMS or PPID if your horse is at risk or has had laminitis. This involves a simple blood test!

If you're concerned your horse may be at risk for laminitis, EMS, or PPID, get in touch with our team. We're here to help with diagnosis, treatment, and tailored management plans to keep your horse happy and healthy. ☎️

08/07/2026

Despite the heat wave we’ve been experiencing, we received a great turnout to our Strangles Client Evening at Derby College Equestrian Centre! ☀️🐎

It was fantastic to see so many friendly faces at the talk and it was brilliant to raise £60 to donate to the Bluecross Rehoming Centre in Rolleston.

In the meantime, please take a second to fill out this short form to tell us what topics you’d like to see covered in the future at client evenings! 🐴🩺

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11/05/2026

It’s not far away now !

Foot Balance Clinic! 🐴

We’re excited to be hosting a Foot Balance Clinic, designed to give you a detailed insight into your horse’s hoof balance and overall soundness.

📅 Wednesday 27th May 2026
💷 £220 inc VAT

What’s included?
• 8 foot balance x-rays (2 per foot)
• Sedation if required
• A concise report including palmar & plantar angles
• Follow-up phone consultation with your farrier
• Emailed copies of all x-rays

Why book?
• Supports precise, evidence-based farriery
• Encourages better collaboration between vet and farrier
• Helps detect subtle issues early
• Aids in preventing lameness and improving long-term soundness

This clinic is ideal for performance horses, those with ongoing hoof concerns, or anyone wanting a proactive approach to hoof care.

To book your place, contact us on 07791 806970 📞

Spaces are limited, so early booking is recommended!