Willesley Equine Clinic Ltd.

Routine Procedures

At the heart of the Equine Practice lies a philosophy of providing good preventative medicine to horses and ponies under our care, be they competition horses or companion ponies.

Much of our work therefore includes the provision of routine health checks, dental care and vaccinations.

Health Checks

The practice recommends that all horses receive an annual health check. This can usually be carried out at the same time as a horse receives its Influenza vaccination and often involves a dental examination and rasp as part of the health check.

Fit, young horses with no discernable problems may need nothing more than a vaccination and dental examination. However, we are very happy to investigate and advise on any concerns that an owner may have, or even carry out thorough clinical examinations designed to pick up sub-clinical conditions in competition horses or elderly animals. Such examinations would commonly involve taking blood samples that can be analysed back at the clinic's specialist laboratory.

Dental Examinations

Annual dental examinations are essential for all horses as most will commonly require the rasping down of sharp edges that develop through uneven wear. Horse's teeth are designed to continuously erupt to replace the grinding surface that gradually gets worn away. Even the slightest misalignment between opposing grinding surfaces can result in the production of sharp edges. The soft tissues of the mouth, such as the cheek mucosa and tongue, can catch on the sharp edges causing discomfort that may affect the bitting and behaviour of your horse when ridden. Elderly horses may have severe misalignments or missing teeth that can result in very sharp protrusions that will seriously compromise their ability to eat.

All the Willesley vets have expertise in equine dentistry. As well as carrying dental rasps and special gags to be able to safely examine horses’ teeth, the practice has specialised motorised dental equipment to carry out remedial dentistry if required. Molar extractions, surgical molar repulsions and other advanced dental procedures are regularly performed by the clinic's surgeons.

The practice offers a FREE standard dose of sedation if required to carry out a routine dental examination and rasp. This enables our vets to perform a more thorough examination and rasp than might otherwise be possible while enhancing the safety of both the vet and handler. Wolf teeth that may interfere with bitting, can be safely removed under standing sedation by the practice vets, and can be done as part of a routine visit providing the attending vet is informed in advance to allow sufficient time for the procedure.

Vaccinations

Not only does vaccination offer protection against debilitating and potentially fatal diseases, it also provides the opportunity for your horse to be seen by a vet and for you to discuss all aspects of your horse's health and welfare with an expert on an annual basis.

Vaccines are available to protect your horse against 4 major diseases:

EQUINE INFLUENZA

This is a viral respiratory infection of horses causing upper and lower airway disease with chronic coughing. Affected horses usually require a long period of recuperation and may also develop respiratory allergies following recovery. The economic losses from outbreaks resulting in the closure of yards and the suspension of events is significant.

Vaccination against equine influenza is a requirement for competition under Horseracing Regulatory Authority rules and those of most other equestrian organisations. Two injections, 4-6 weeks apart, with the first booster at 5-7 months and subsequent boosters yearly are required. The FEI now requires booster vaccination every six months. We endeavour, but cannot guarantee, to send booster reminders to our clients. Influenza vaccines can be combined with Tetanus in a single injection.

TETANUS

It is essential to vaccinate all horses against tetanus, a disease of the nervous system caused by a toxin produced by a soil-borne bacterium called Clostridium tetani. Tetanus is often fatal and can develop in any unvaccinated horse if a wound becomes infected with these bacteria.

Tetanus vaccine is very effective and involves two injections 4-6 weeks apart with the first booster after one year and subsequent boosters every two years. Tetanus vaccine should not be confused with Tetanus anti-toxin which is often injected by veterinary surgeons when initially treating a wound to provide short-term protection when a horse's vaccination status is unknown.

EQUINE HERPES VIRUS

Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) causes low grade respiratory disease and is very common in race horses and competition horses. Vaccination is recommended in these groups of horses or any horse, than travels extensively.

EHV can also cause abortion in pregnant mares and vaccination at the 5th, 7th and 9th months of pregnancy is recommended for brood mares. Rarely EHV infection can result in a fatal paralytic condition.

STRANGLES

A new strangles vaccine has recently become available against the increasingly common Streptococcus equi bacterium which causes the disease. Infection causes severe coughing, profuse nasal discharge and severely swollen glands under the jaw which may abscessate and burst.

Following recovery, horses may become carriers and spread the disease undetected to other horses. If you think strangles vaccination may be suitable for your horse please contact the clinic for further advice.