A&S Farriery

06/02/2026

01/02/2026

15/01/2026

Official home of Military Working Animal Rehoming | Ministry of Defence (UK)

25/11/2025

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15/11/2025

Safety is no joke look after yourselfs

Is your horse slightly chilled, or truly relaxed?

When it comes to sedation, there’s a big difference between the various options and understanding that difference starts with a conversation with your vet.

Some oral sedatives offer very light sedation. Just think of it like having a small glass of wine. It might take the edge off, but it won’t stop them reacting if they’re worried or sore. Other types can go a bit deeper (more like the full bottle) given under the tongue offering a stronger and more noticeable calming effect.

Then there’s intravenous sedation, administered by a vet. This is by far the most effective and adjustable option, allowing the vet to tailor the dose precisely to your horse and the situation.

Light sedation might work for some clipping or work that needs a few minutes of stillness but if it’s not enough for the horse to stand quietly without the farrier there, it almost probably won’t be enough with us there and under the horse!

From a farrier’s perspective, being underneath a horse and driving nails within millimetres of soft tissue isn’t the time for “mildly relaxed.” Even a small movement can be dangerous for both horse and importantly farrier (I have the scars and broken bones to prove it!).

Sedation isn’t about doping, it is about safety, welfare, and understanding and choosing the right sedative for the job. Always speak to your vet about what’s appropriate for your horse.

Any questions? Feel free to DM or ask in the comments.

04/11/2025

04/11/2025

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18/10/2025

ℹ️Information for horse owners ℹ️

From our Young Member President Dr Jordie Flood

⚠️ Recent Strangles Outbreak – Central Coast, New South Wales ⚠️

Strangles is a highly contagious respiratory disease in horses caused by the bacterium Streptococcus equisubspecies equi. Recent outbreaks have been reported in Central Coast, New South Wales.

It spreads easily through direct contact with infected horses or indirect contactwith contaminated gear, feed, water, or handlers’ clothing.
Horses usually show signs within 3 – 8 days of infection.
Strangles can affect horses of any age and is most common where horses are kept in close contact — such as studs, shows, and agistment centres.

❗️Clinical signs to watch for:❗️
• Fever (39.0 – 40.5 °C)
• Nasal discharge or runny nose
• Cough
• Painful, swollen lymph nodes (especially under the jaw)
• Difficulty swallowing or breathing
• Depression or dullness

🚨 If your horse shows any of these signs, isolate it away from other horses immediately and contact your veterinarian.

Preventing spread:
• Keep sick horses separated
• Practice good hygiene, including frequently washing hands
• Avoid sharing gear, feed bins, or water troughs
• Wash hands, boots, and clothing after handling sick horses
• Quarantine new arrivals for at least 2 weeks

Here is some more good information for further reading from disease surveillance in the UK. It covers the clinical signs and management strategies. It does mention a newer vaccine that is not yet available here and is different to the one we have in Australia.

https://equinesurveillance.org/landing/resources/EIDS_spotting_the_signs_of_strangles_040924.pdf

14/10/2025

Applying a cast to a horse what is suffering with weak hoof wall.

03/07/2025