By Vicky Rowlands Cert. EP MRCVS - Ashbrook Equine Hospital, Cheshire Atypical myopathy (AM, atypical myoglobinuria or seasonal pasture myopathy) is a muscle disease that hit the headlines in 2014 due to a peak in cases. The disease has been documented since 1985 but we have seen a gradual increase in numbers over the last 6 years. It has come under a lot of scrutiny recently … [Read more...]

By Julia Shrubb MA VetMB Cert(AVP)EM MRCVS Ashbrook Equine Hospital. Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome Equine gastric ulcer syndrome, commonly called "stomach ulcers", is a syndrome where the stomach lining becomes damaged. Stomach ulcers can affect any horse but are very common in competing horses. Some reports suggest that 2 out of 3 performance horses and over 9 out of 10 … [Read more...]

By Roger Dixon MRCVS - Ashbrook Equine Hospital, Cheshire To the frustration of many owners, some mares appear to be constantly in season. This can make ridden work very difficult and may affect the horse’s performance at competitions. The behaviour may be due to completely normal physiological events related to the mare’s oestrus cycle, or may be a sign of a more serious … [Read more...]

Roger Dixon BVM&S MRCVS - Ashbrook Equine Hospital, Cheshire Introduction Throughout spring and summer we frequently take phone calls from owners who find that their mare’s behaviour has changed. The mare may suddenly become difficult to handle. Ridden work, especially at competitions, may be impossible! These behavioural changes may be associated with the mare’s oestrus … [Read more...]

By Roger Dixon BVM&S MRCVS Ashbrook Equine Hospital. This article follows on from last month’s introduction to Artificial Insemination, which discussed the advantages of A.I. and the differences between fresh, chilled and frozen semen. Once the initial Breeding Soundness Examination has been performed the mare is assessed to establish whether she is in oestrus (‘season’) … [Read more...]