By Vicky Rowlands Cert. EP MRCVS – Ashbrook Equine Hospital, Cheshire. Sarcoids are a type of equine skin tumour that exist in the skin and the tissue layers immediately below the skin. They do not spread to internal organs. Unfortunately, we now recognise 2-8 % of horses in the UK have sarcoids. Interestingly, Europe seems to have a lower rate of sarcoids in their equine … [Read more...]

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 Roger Dixon BVM&S CertAVP(ESM) MRCVS, Ashbrook Equine Hospital. Embryo transfer is an advanced reproductive technique that is now well established in the UK. It involves the removal of a 7-8 day old embryo from the uterus of a donor mare and its non-surgical transfer into the uterus of a recipient mare. Embryo transfer was first described in horses in 1972 and has been … [Read more...]

By Roger Dixon BVM&S Cert AVP(ESM) MRCVS Ashbrook Equine Hospital The Normal Foal The normal newborn foal will attempt to right itself within the first few seconds following birth and should stand by 1 hour. The foal will then start to search for the udder and should suck from the mare by 2 hours. The normal foal will nurse 5-7 times an hour and often lie down between … [Read more...]

By Roger Dixon BVM&S Cert AVP(ESM) MRCVS - Ashbrook Equine Hospital. It is hard to believe that the 2018 breeding season is almost upon us! Brood mares throughout the country are steadily getting bigger, and owners are preparing for the new arrivals. The build-up to foaling can be a stressful time, but careful planning and preparation can help to give the mare owner the … [Read more...]