Pinkham Equine Veterinary Services

Home
United Kingdom
Wilton
Pinkham Equine Veterinary Services

A team of motivated, expert veterinary professionals, delivering high quality equine veterinary services to our clients across Dorset, Wiltshire and Hampshire

27/05/2026

Following recent reports of an Equine influenza (‘flu’) outbreak in Wiltshire, we have had a number of clients contact us for advice regarding vaccination. It is a time of year when everyone is keen to get out and about, and the competition season is well under way. We want to support you to do this safely!

Although many competition organizing bodies and Pony Clubs only require annual vaccination in order to be eligible to compete, it is known that protection from flu is strongest during the first 3-6 months post vaccination and then starts to wane. Between 6 months and 12 months an immunity gap can occur where protection is sub optimal and horses are at increased risk of clinical signs of flu and are more likely to spread the virus. For this reason, at times of potential high challenge we recommend administering flu boosters every 6 months. When at competitions or other events, avoiding the sharing of equipment/water sources and direct contact with other horses is sensible to reduce the risk of transmission of flu and other respiratory diseases.

It is important to note that whilst the flu vaccination is very effective at reducing the severity of disease in vaccinated horses and reducing the amount of shedding (leading to less spread), it is not 100% protective, so thought should be given to more frequent vaccination of horses kept on competition yards, even if they themselves do not go out.

In order to support our clients and to help to make sure that their horses have adequate immunity at this time, we are offering a 10 % discount on flu vaccines in June 2026, for people who would like to do an interim or 6 monthly vaccine in addition to their annual vaccine.

28/04/2026

SWRC Spring Show! 🌼🏆

Pinkham Equine had the pleasure of sponsoring the South Wilts Riding Club spring show a couple of weeks back Downlands Equestrian. Pinkham vet Rebekah and nurse Charlotte were on hand to present the reserve and supreme champion placing, in both the in-hand and ridden championship class. We would like to congratulate everyone that took part!

Photos courtesy of HW Photography

24/04/2026

Equine Influenza 🦠 💉

April 2026 has seen a considerable rise in confirmed Equine Influenza (flu) cases across the UK, including confirmed cases in Hampshire.

Flu is a highly contagious virus which is transmitted by respiratory droplets. Either through direct contact or through the air when the horse coughs, meaning it can be spread easily between horses.

Signs of flu:
🔹 Nasal discharge
🔹 Coughing
🔹 High temperature >38.5c
🔹 Lethargy
🔹 Loss of appetite

Reduce the risk:
🔹 Ensure your horse is fully vaccinated and up to date with vaccines. Immunity from vaccination declines significantly as horses approach 12 months from vaccination, therefore 6 monthly vaccination should be considered for all 'higher risk' horses (those competing or on yards with competition horses or high horse turnover), even if your competition organising body does not require it.
🔹 Avoid sharing equipment on yards/between horses
🔹 Quarantine new arrivals for at least 2 weeks
🔹 Avoid contact with new horses at events

If you are concerned your horse may be displaying any of the above symptoms, or know that your horse is currently unvaccinated, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the office on 01722741188, or WhatsApp 07572167343 or by e-mail on [email protected].

Map courtesy of Equine Surveillance

20/04/2026

Maverick Brighton Trail Marathon!

On Sunday the 12th April, Pinkham Equine nurse Charlotte took on the challenge of completing her first marathon. For reasons only known to Charlotte herself she decided to take on this challenge over the South Downs, so not only was there 42.2km of distance to cover, but also 900m of elevation to tackle! The last 2 months of early morning runs around the surrounding villages have thankfully paid off though. With Charlotte completing the trail marathon in a time of 4hrs23 and coming 257th out of 1253 runners. The training doesn’t end there with Southampton half marathon in less than 2 weeks!

Well done Charlotte! 👏 🏃‍♀️

31/03/2026

Last week saw the first of the frozen AI foals for Pinkham Equine, in 2026! A cracking filly out of Fashion Farms show horses, lovely mare Samantha B by the stallion Like Angel.

If you are thinking of breeding your mare this year, please don’t hesitate to contact the office team, who will be able to put you in touch with one of our excellent stud vets!

26/03/2026

Folland-Bowen’s Fostering Success!

Breeding horses is an exciting and rewarding experience in most cases. However, occasionally it does not go to plan. Sadly, Folland-Bowen Bloodstock, based on the Fonthill Estate, lost their 13yr old successful broodmare Jadwiga 8hrs after foaling a strong, healthy c**t this year. However, help was on hand in the form of Tremelo Pointe, a good broodmare in her own right owned by Lord Margadale. When Tremelo retired from breeding the decision was made to keep her as a nanny/foster mare as she is such a fabulous mum.

Fostering is no small feat it takes time and dedication from the whole team. Initially the c**t was bottle fed every 45 minutes to an hour to ensure he had an adequate amount of colostrum until he was 24hrs old. Colostrum, otherwise known as ‘liquid gold’ is essential to ensure the foal receives the antibodies they require. Pinkham Equine reproduction vet Sally Bainton performed a new-born foal examination on the morning after he was born, he was then re-checked on the 2nd day and a blood sample taken to check his IgG, this measures the level of maternal antibodies acquired from the colostrum, ensuring passive immunity transfer has been a success. The new foal examination is important to check that the foal is developing and behaving as expected, uncover any trauma from foaling and detect any congenital abnormalities. It can give us an early warning if a foal needs any extra veterinary intervention.

Tremelo Pointe was started on domperidone maleate, an oral medication given twice daily. Domperidone works by stimulating prolactin release to drive lactation. She was also put in the next-door box to the c**t so she could see and hear him. As soon as Tremelo started to develope her udder she was milked every few hours to mimic a foal feeding pattern and to promote more lactation. On day 10 she was producing enough milk to foster him onto her using prostaglandin and oxytocin. These drugs are both hormones used to induce maternal behaviour in the foster mare. Oxytocin is known as the ‘love hormone’ for this reason.

The team at Folland-Bowen have continued to bottle feed the c**t to ensure he is receiving enough nutrition, but have been able to reduce this over the last week as Tremelo is now producing enough milk to supply the foal herself!

Fostering isn’t always a success and takes a lot of time, dedication and experience from all involved. The Pinkham Equine team are looking forward to following Jadwiga 2026’s now known as Eric’s story, he comes from a successful family with Jadwiga herself producing 6 winners out of 8 runners! 🐎👏

-bowen

19/03/2026

Great to see supported rider Becky and the lovely Postman (looking very smart in his Pinkham dressage pad), out competing a couple of weeks ago! Scoring a very respectable 67.6% in the Novice at Downlands where he came 2nd.

Postie has been working hard on his jumping over the Winter months, but with the ROR Winter Dressage Championships coming up in April Becky and Postie have got their dancing shoes back on!

The Pinkham Equine Team would like to wish Becky the best of luck at the ROR champs, we are looking forward to seeing lots of lovely photos!

10/03/2026

The Pinkham Equine Team would like to congratulate Carol Lovelock for winning the South Wilts Riding Club Prelim Championship on her lovely ex-racehorse Orange! What a fantastic result. 🥇🏆

‘I registered with Pinkhams when I joined South Wilts Riding Club and received their details in my membership bundle. I had recently moved to the area and was looking for a new local vet, I like to use the companies that sponsor the groups and activities I participate in. Winning this sponsored rug is an added bonus, Orange will be sporting it proudly’ - Carol Lovelock.

We are are proud to support local events and groups, and love seeing our clients out and about with their horses!

02/03/2026

Last week the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards took place at Ascot. Poppy from Folland and Bowen Bloodstock and Oleh from Whitsbury Manor Stud were both in attendance. The whole of the Pinkham Equine team would like to congratulate both Poppy and Oleh for getting into the top 3 and attending the finals! What a phenomenal achievement for them both! 👏🥂

04/02/2026

Does your horse suffer with Sweet itch? Now is the time to take action! 🪰🦟

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 or on 📱 WhatsApp 07572167343 for help and advice.

Address

Home Farm Offices
Wilton
SP28PJ

Website

https://www.pinkhamequine.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Pinkham Equine Veterinary Services posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Pinkham Equine Veterinary Services:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Pet Store/pet Service in Wilton?