Pinkham Equine Veterinary Services

17/04/2025

𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬

We would like to wish our clients and their horses a very Happy Easter!

Our office will be closed from Good Friday to Easter Monday, but if you do need our assistance during the holiday period, our 24 hour emergency service will be operating as usual. Please contact our vet on call on 01722 741188.

Our office will be open as normal from from 8am on Tuesday 22nd April.

07/04/2025

A timely reminder from Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance about the significant risk posed to horses during the spring by sycamore seedlings, which are associated with Atypical Myopathy (AM) - a disease that can often be fatal.

AM occurs when horses ingest sycamore seeds or seedlings which contain Hypoglycin-A (HGA), a toxin that disrupts muscle function.

Clinical signs include:

▶️ Muscle tremors, high respiratory rate and dyspnoea (difficulty breathing), muscle weakness and stiffness, and recumbency.

▶️ Myoglobinuria is another common sign that causes the urine to turn dark red or brown due to the products of the muscle breakdown being released into the blood and filtered out into the urine.

▶️ Horses appear depressed with their heads hung low and are often reluctant to move. They may also have colic-like signs such as sweating, trembling, and shivering, as well as a high heart rate.

It is critical to be able to identify these signs of atypical myopathy and to call your vet immediately.

Read more via the EIDS post below, or read our website article here https://pinkhamequine.com/atypical-myopathy/

⚠️ Sycamore seedling reminder 🌱

As we embrace spring, it's crucial to be mindful of the emergence of sycamore seedlings. Despite their unassuming appearance, sycamore seedlings pose significant risks to horses.

Sycamore seedlings are associated with Atypical Myopathy (AM), a serious and often fatal condition in horses. AM occurs when horses ingest sycamore seeds or seedlings which contain Hypoglycin-A (HGA), a toxin that disrupts muscle function. The onset of AM is rapid, with mortality rates ranging from 56-61%.

👁️ Keep a vigilant eye on your fields for sycamore seedlings. If you spot any, take action immediately:

➡️ Remove sycamore seedlings from pastures.

➡️ Consult your vet if you suspect your horse has ingested sycamore material.

EIDS collaborates with the Université de Liège's Atypical Myopathy Alert Network (AMAG) and reports any cases of AM in our ICC reports.

➡️ If you are interested in reporting cases or receiving alerts on atypical myopathy, please visit our websites' 'sign-up' page (https://equinesurveillance.org/) and look for the University of Liege logo.

04/04/2025

We had a wonderful evening at Downlands Equestrian on Tuesday, where more than 30 guests attended to hear talks by our vets Rebekah McFarling and Rich Bristow, who talked respectively about Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) and common causes of lameness.

Thanks to the team at Downlands Equestrian for hosting, and to all those who attended.

For those who want to read more information about EGUS, click the link to Rebekah's article on our website:
https://pinkhamequine.com/equine-gastric-ulcer-syndrome-egus/

01/04/2025

* 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐰!*

We have a limited number of places available for our 𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧, which takes place tomorrow, 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐚𝐭 𝟔.𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦 with our vets Rebekah McFarling and Rich Bristow.

Rebekah’s talk will start at 6.30pm and she will discuss Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, while Rich’s talk will follow at 7.30pm and he will discuss Common Causes of Lameness.

Register now by WhatsApp to our office mobile on 07572 167343, or email [email protected].

We look forward to seeing you!

𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧
𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐚𝐭 𝟔.𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦

Join us for an evening of talks at Downlands Equestrian next Wednesday with our vets Rebekah McFarling and Rich Bristow.

Rebekah’s talk will start at 6.30pm and she will discuss Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, while Rich’s talk will follow at 7.30pm and he will discuss Common Causes of Lameness. There will be an opportunity for guests to ask questions after each talk.

Limited places available, so register now by WhatsApp to our office mobile on 07572 167343, or email [email protected].

Refreshments will be provided.

We look forward to seeing you!

24/03/2025

𝐂𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧
𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐚𝐭 𝟔.𝟑𝟎𝐩𝐦

Join us for an evening of talks at Downlands Equestrian next Wednesday with our vets Rebekah McFarling and Rich Bristow.

Rebekah’s talk will start at 6.30pm and she will discuss Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome, while Rich’s talk will follow at 7.30pm and he will discuss Common Causes of Lameness. There will be an opportunity for guests to ask questions after each talk.

Limited places available, so register now by WhatsApp to our office mobile on 07572 167343, or email [email protected].

Refreshments will be provided.

We look forward to seeing you!

17/03/2025

Are you planning to breed your mare this year? If so, take a look at our brand new guide for breeders, providing all the information you need about our artificial breeding services, as well as useful advice to help maximise your chances of successfully breeding your mare.
https://pinkhamequine.com/services/sport-horse-breeding/

We are a BEVA approved practice for artificial insemination and have a highly experienced reproduction team. Get in touch on 01722 741888 (office), 07572 167343 (WhatsApp), or email [email protected] to discuss your breeding plans with a member of our team – we’re here to help!

BEVA - The British Equine Veterinary Association

07/03/2025

You may recall our post last July about retired racehorse Goodmorningolive having been scanned in foal to Whitsbury Stud’s exciting first season stallion Dragon Symbol – and this little beauty is the result!

Olive foaled this lovely c**t at 7.30am on 26 February for her owner Ben Cooke and she is proving to be a super mum. The foaling was very straightforward and our vet Amber Segre attended to check the foal and to take blood for an IgG foal test. This test is important for assessment of colostral transfer of immunity from the mare to the newborn foal after the foal first stands and suckles.

Colostral transfer helps protect the foal from infection until it can produce its own antibodies. A blood sample is typically collected at 24 hours old and an IgG test is performed by our lab to measure the level of antibodies in the foal's blood. Foals with low IgG levels are more likely to need veterinary intervention.

Happily, in this case, the IgG parameters were all within normal levels for Olive’s happy and healthy foal.

04/03/2025

We were very pleased to have recently welcomed Professor Chris Proudman from the University of Surrey to speak with a group of our commercial breeding clients to give them an update on some groundbreaking research in which our practice has been involved.

The research linked the development of Thoroughbred foals’ gut microbiome to their potential future athletic performance and we are delighted to be able to share Professor Proudman’s talk with you here: https://youtu.be/Lfw5BFpO2ho

Professor Proudman is Head of the University of Surrey Vet School. His academic career has embraced teaching equine medicine and surgery, equine intestinal disease research and various leadership roles at the University of Liverpool, from which he was awarded a PhD in Equine Epidemiology in 1996. His current research work focusses on the role of the horse's gut bacteria in intestinal health and disease.

28/02/2025

Last weekend, Becky Carter and her lovely retrained ex-racehorse Postman took part in the Dressage at Downlands Equestrian, where they finished 3rd in their first attempt at Prelim, achieving a very promising 69.175%.

Postman has returned to competition looking fit and well, having had some time off when he went lame before Christmas. Our vet Rich Bristow performed a lameness work up at the time, but happily didn’t find any major issues and recommended a period of rest, after which Becky has brought Postman back into work successfully.

Becky said: “It’s great to have him back and it was nice to do our first Prelim class at a Pinkham Equine Veterinary Services sponsored competition! We’ve worked hard on our canter transitions and although they were very good on Sunday, unfortunately I made an error which affected a few marks - but we also scored several 8s, which I’m thrilled about and the quality of Postie’s work is improving all the time!”

20/02/2025

At Pinkham Equine Veterinary Services, we pride ourselves on offering a complete range of high quality veterinary services, putting your horses and ponies and client care at the heart of everything we do.

We offer vaccinations, dental care, microchipping, castrations, and care for injuries and wounds. Our vets are very well equipped and offer lameness examinations that can include on-site x-rays, ultrasound scans, laser therapy and chiropractic treatments. We carry out pre-purchase examinations, and offer an extensive range of breeding services, including AI and Embryo Transfer.

Proudly an independent practice, we have a large client base of professional, competition and leisure horse clients and our experienced team of 7 vets have wide ranging experience across all equestrian disciplines. With the recent additions of Sally Bainton and Amber Segre further strengthening our veterinary team, we look forward to welcoming new clients.

We cover a wide area across Wiltshire, Dorset and Hampshire, so take a look at the map showing our catchment area and get in touch with us to find out how we can help you and your horse!
https://pinkhamequine.com/contact/

You can register your horse with us by completing our online form. https://pinkhamequine.com/horse-registration-form/

14/02/2025

𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐫𝐞: 𝐅𝐄𝐈 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬

From 3rd February 2025, all FEI registered horses are required to have their vaccinations recorded on the FEI HorseApp 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, as well as in the horse’s passport.

When you make your horse’s vaccination appointment, please let our office team know if your horse has an FEI passport/recognition card and allow a little extra time on the day, as the attending vet will need to ensure the vaccine is recorded both on the app and in the horse's passport at the same time.

Please ensure that the horse's FEI passport/recognition card and national passport is available on the day of your appointment.

The attending vet may need to photograph the FEI passport/ recognition card on the day of the vaccination.

𝐀𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐬, 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦𝐬, 𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬:

Please update your app to the most recent version and enter your horse's last vaccination into the FEI HorseApp prior to your horse's next vaccination date.

See below for more information. If you have any concerns, please contact a member of our team.

As of 3 February, all FEI-registered horses must now have equine influenza vaccinations recorded on the FEI HorseApp on the same day they're administered, in addition to their national passport 💉

We've provided comprehensive instructions and FAQs on our website for all riders, owners, grooms and vets 👉 https://bit.ly/FEIHorseAppFluVaccinations

14/02/2025

*** FANTASTIC FRIDAY!***

Many congratulations to Lily Draper and Cranford Fantastic (aka Zorro), who have won the first race at Longines Hong Kong International Horse Show as part of the team of ponies and riders who have made the long journey to take part in the Shetland Pony Grand National racing!

What an amazing experience for them all ! 👏👏🙌🐴🐴

07/02/2025

We’re very pleased to welcome Sally Bainton, who has recently joined our reproduction veterinary team. A highly experienced vet, she has a particular interest in problem broodmares, neonatology, medicine and ophthalmology.

Sally graduated from Liverpool University in 2004 with a distinction in equine studies, and during her final year she completed a stud medicine elective in New Zealand. After a short stint in mixed practice in South Africa, Sally completed an internship in Gloucestershire, covering all aspects of equine practice in a busy referral centre. She then spent a year in equine practice in Devon, where her duties included veterinary care for one of the donkey sanctuary farms.

She spent the 2007 Southern hemisphere stud season working for Scone Equine Hospital, Australia, as a resident vet on two large thoroughbred stud farms.

In 2008, Sally joined Greenwood, Ellis and Partners, which later became Newmarket Equine Hospital. Here she was responsible for the veterinary care for several large thoroughbred studs and led the foal medicine team. She also was involved with the horses in training, racecourse duties, bloodstock sales, and a busy shipping department. Whilst based in Newmarket, she worked further southern Hemisphere stud seasons at Hamilton Vet Services in New Zealand, where she was responsible for several large thoroughbred and standardbred studs, and she spent a further stint at Scone Equine Hospital based at the Clovelly Intensive Care Unit, gaining further neonatology and intensive care experience.

At the end of 2022 Sally joined the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) as a Veterinary Officer. She combined this with stud work at Newmarket Equine Hospital until July 2023.

Alongside her BHA duties, Sally spent the 2024 breeding season at Oakham Equine Hospital, where she was responsible for the veterinary care of both thoroughbred and non-thoroughbred clients, including the busy clinic-based assisted reproduction services.

Outside of work Sally enjoys exploring the countryside with her three children and her whippet, Ted.

27/01/2025

Last night we were thrilled to see James and Flynn of Wessex Working Horses featured on the BBC's Countryfile, showcasing horse logging at Pondhead Conservation Trust. Despite atrocious weather conditions, Flynn had a smile on his face and his ears pricked throughout as he made light work of his job in front a film crew - he really was a star!

This week's programme focused entirely on the New Forest and had a strong equestrian theme throughout the programme. If you didn't get to see it, you can watch the episode on BBC iPlayer.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0027f5x

20/01/2025

Congratulations to the connections of Douglas Longbottom, who won the Pinkham Equine Veterinary Services sponsored Hunt Members Race at the Royal Artillery Point-to-Point at Larkhill Racecourse on Saturday.

With a decent turn out of six going to post, trainer Bea Coward was delighted with a great win for Douglas Longbottom, who started the race as favourite. Ridden by Martin Mc Intyre, he won in style for his owners Catherine and John Mitchell. Bea also claimed third place with her other runner, the gallant 13 year old Gran Paradiso, ridden by Rob David.

Several members of our team enjoyed a great day out at Larkhill and our vet Rich Bristow, ably assisted by his children, presented the prizes to the winning jockey and owner.

20/01/2025

Clinic Day and Evening Talk on Horse Bit advice and fitting. Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th January.

Contact [email protected] for booking details.

20/01/2025

𝐍𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡!

Sweet itch is a frustrating condition caused by hypersensitivity to salivary proteins produced by culicoides midges. Affected horses typically are worst affected around the mane and tail regions, with hair loss, scabbing and sores forming. Some horses can display more generalised itching.

Most treatments available are only partially effective and good management of sweet itch-prone horses generally relies on the use of a multi-modal approach.

Management often includes:

▶ Avoidance techniques (rugging, insect repellents, stabling at high risk times)
▶ Skin barrier support (some oils and nutritional supplements, shampoos and topical emollients)
▶ Immune modulation (Immunotherapy, Dermatophyton vaccine)
▶ Anti-inflammatories (corticosteroids, antihistamines)

Many of these treatments are most effective when instigated before the midges become active, so if you have a horse that suffers from sweet itch, now is the time to get in touch with your vet to discuss how to manage your horse for an itch-free summer!

Contact our office now on 01722 741188 for help and advice.