Equine Veterinary Services

We love horses at Hartley Vets, and we have now added horse dentistry to our services. Horses’ teeth should be checked every year. Dental problems can cause dropping feed, unexplained weight loss or poor behaviour. We have a specially designed, mobile horse crush and modern power floats so we can provide gold standard service. With access to sedative drugs this allows prompt diagnosis and treatment of dental problems. A pain-free mouth allows your horse to use its feed efficiently, maximising nutrition and reducing your feed bill.

The most common cause of laminitis is feeding a diet high in carbohydrate, particularly in horses who are overweight. This can be from consuming excessive amounts of lush spring pastures, cereal hays or grain. Laminitis can also be associated with equine Cushing’s disease or equine metabolic syndrome, which affect the way in which horses are able to digest carbohydrates in their gut. Less common causes include toxins, steroid drugs, and severe infections. Occasionally, with a severe lameness in one foot, horses can develop laminitis in the other foot due to increased pressure from weight bearing.

Colic in horses can be due to numerous things. It can range from mild abdominal discomfort to more severe pain. Horses who are suffering from a colic episode will not want to eat, they may appear depressed, some may paw at the ground and want to lie down. More severe colic’s may cause horses to roll on the ground and sweat profusely. If you are concerned your horse is suffering from colic, do not hesitate to call the clinic. Our vets are well equipped to provide pain relief and assess what may be causing your horses discomfort and come up with a plan for appropriate treatment.