Equine general information and top FAQs
We have a six vet team providing both an extensive ambulatory service and recently built hospitalisation and surgical facilities.
The Equine Clinic has grown to provide a comprehensive first opinion veterinary service, with a large proportion of this being carried out at your yard. Services include routine vaccinations and health checks, dentistry including power tool work, pre purchase examinations, lameness checks, reproduction work, worming programmes and mobile endoscopy and x-rays for laminitis.
Office Hours
The office is open between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12.00pm on Saturdays for small animals only. Outside these hours we provide an emergency service, and the duty vet is contactable via a paging service. An answerphone message on the usual number will provide the pager number.
Arranging Visits
Visits can be arranged through our receptionists. We encourage routine visits for vaccinations, health checks, dentistry, sedations etc to be booked in advance. For more urgent visits we ask you to telephone as early as possible in the day. We will always try and give you a time for your visit but ask for understanding should an emergency occur causing your vet to be delayed. We of course always try and inform you if this situation arises. To assist us, it is important that you provide us with accurate contact details when arranging a visit.
Telephone Advice
If you require advice over the telephone, there may be a vet available at the time of your call. If not, however, reception staff will take your details and query, and a veterinary surgeon will return your call later in the day. If the query is urgent, we ask you to inform the reception staff of this.
1. What should I do in an emergency?
In case of an emergency during normal working hours, contact us on the usual number 01622 737884.
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Outside working hours, you can contact us via the page service on 07623 944669. When requesting an emergency visit, it is helpful if you provide the following details: owner's name, location of horse, contact numbers and nature of the emergency.
2. Why should I vaccinate my horse?
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Vaccination is a cheap and effective way of protecting your horse from common preventable diseases such as equine influenza, tetanus, strangles and for respiratory infections and abortion caused by equine herpes virus 1 and 4 (EHV 1 and 4). Vaccination also assists in preventing the spread of these diseases(apart from tetanus) should an outbreak occur.
To find out more about our equine vaccinations please visit the Equine vaccinations page.
3. Why is insurance important?
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Not only does insurance provide peace of mind for you, should your horse require treatment, but also enables us to treat your horse to the best of our ability, without constantly having to consider escalating costs. It can also provide cover against mortality, loss of use, theft, personal accident, and third party liability.
To find out more about our equine insurance please visit the Equine insurance page.
4. How can I pay my bill?
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You may settle your bill using cash, cheque with current banker card, credit/debit card - Maestro, Solo, Mastercard, Visa, Delta (We do not accept American Express), internet banking.
5. What should I do if I can't pay my bill?
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Circumstances change, so if for any reason, you are unable to settle your account as specified, we ask you to discuss the matter as soon as possible with a member of our accounts staff. They are not scary or judgemental and they will help to find a workable solution.
6. How often should I vaccinate my pet?
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Horses require an annual booster vaccination to protect them against influenza and tetanus.
7. Who looks after my horse if it has to stay at the clinic?
This would be our team of groom/nurses. They administer medications, feed and exercise them, and keep their environment clean.
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They will help your horse feel comfortable and at ease whilst in the clinic and the care doesn't diminish overnight. If required, our vets and grooms attend the clinic to provide ongoing care and of course, there are the vets and nurses providing care for the companion animals on site and they will often also monitor our equine patients.
