Our Blog
The importance of good fitting tack:
All horse owners love a good saddle and a smart bridle. However, regardless of what make or brand the most important thing is that it fits. Ill fitting tack, can lead to tight muscles, pain and in the wort situations lameness and back issues. Therefore it is important...
No Foot, No Horse ………..
Foot balance is important. If the shoe doesn't fit correctly and help maintain the foot balance then potentially you line your four legged friend up for work related injuries. If the weight of the horse is being supported unevenly then stresses on the soft tissues...
The importance of fitness and nutrition:
It is important that we prepare our horses correctly to ensure they stand up to the work we are asking of them. Fitness: Its important that you build the fitness of your horse. Below is a short list of what you should be doing to build fitness: Preparation before you...
Community spirit
Shelley was asked to read to some local school children this week. This was to show the importance of reading and what jobs it can take you into. Shelley decided that she would try and stick with the Vet theme (quite hard to do) and decided to read the "wonky donkey"....
Other toxic plants:
Buttercups: These are a common sight across the rolling hills of staffordshire. Buttercups thrive on poor horse poor ground and whilst they are usually not tempting to horses we do find that if grazing is restricted that horses will eat them. Toxins are...
Acorns and oak:
Acorns and therefore Oak trees are poisonous to horses. This is most commonly seen in the autumn months when grazing is at a premium. Toxins present: Gallic Acid Tannic Acid Can cause damage to kidneys, intestines and liver if the acorns, the branches and leaves are...
Sycamore and other acers
This is known as a seasonal toxin. It is thought that the helicopter seeds in autumn, and the saplings in spring, contain Hypoglycin-A that causes atypical myopathy in horses. Not all seeds or saplings will have the same amount of the toxin in them therefore...
Ragwort – The yellow killer.
Ragwort when it is fresh and growing has a very bitter taste. This means that horse’s are unlikely to eat it unless limited grazing is available. It tends to grow tall and when it is knocked down and becomes dried, it is more palatable to equines. This is...
Vaccinations – why do we do it?
Routine vaccinations allow us to take our horses out and about safely. There are diseases that we can't easily vaccinate for (strangles) and therefore when out and about mixing with horses from different yards it is important to maintain biosecurity to ensure...
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We cover Staffordshire moorlands, North Staffordshire and North Staffs county. If you have any equine veterinary needs we would love to hear from you.