Routine Care

Providing routine veterinary care helps us to help you keep your horses, ponies and donkeys healthy.

Vaccinations, dental care, worming and regular health checks are some of the preventative medicine services we offer.

Vaccinations, worming and dental care are at the forefront of our preventative care, but we also offer additional services such as microchipping, passporting and JMB height measurements amongst others.

During routine visits, our vets will assess the general health of your horse. These appointments are a great opportunity for you to ask questions and raise any concerns you have.

Vaccinations are an important part of your horse's routine healthcare. They help prevent serious diseases which can have huge welfare and economic implications. Our most commonly administered vaccinations are for Influenza and Tetanus, but we also offer vaccinations against Equine Herpes Virus, West Nile Virus, Rotavirus and Equine viral arteritis.

TETANUS

1st vaccination from 5 months of age
2nd vaccination 4-6 weeks later
1st booster within 15 months
Booster vaccinations every 2-3 years, depending on brand of vaccine

Protection against tetanus is important as any wound sustained by your horse could potentially lead to tetanus infection which can be life threatening.

We recommend the combined tetanus and influenza vaccination; but can administer tetanus only vaccinations when requested. Unvaccinated horses that sustain an injury should be given tetanus protection as a matter of urgency to lower the risk of infection.

EQUINE INFLUENZA

1st vaccination from 6 months of age
2nd vaccination 21-60 days later
3rd vaccination 120-180 days later
Booster every 6 months or annually

Influenza is a viral infection affecting the respiratory system. It can be very debilitating causing high fever, nasal discharge and coughing.

Influenza cases do occur in Sussex and vaccination is the main way to control this disease. It is important even for horses that are not competing or mixing with others, particularly veterans, as the virus is airborne.

Booster Reminders:

We endeavour to inform you when your horse's boosters are due.

However, it is the responsibility of the owner or trainer to ensure that their horse meets the requirements demanded by the governing body of their sport or competition.

STRANGLES VACCINE

1st vaccination from 5 months
2nd vaccination 4 weeks later
3rd vaccination 6 months following the first vaccination
1st booster 12 months or sooner if there is increased risk of disease

Strangles is a highly contagious bacterial infection of the lymph nodes of the head and neck caused by the bacterium, Streptococcus equisubspecies equi(S. Equiequi). Once infected, abscesses can form in the lymph nodes, causing severe respiratory problems.

Vaccination is a useful management tool, alongside good stable management and biosecurity measures, and can play a really important role in improving herd immunity and reducing the number of strangles cases in the equine population.