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 Stuart Pearson BVM&SCertAVP(ESO)MRCVS - CHESHIRE EQUINE CLINIC Common causes of traumatic injuries to the stifle of the horse include kicks from a field companion or collision with an obstacle, especially when attempting to clear fixed fences during cross country events. These are painful injuries, and initial assessment may not reveal the true extent of damage. More … [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...]

By Roger Dixon BVM&S MRCVS Ashbrook Equine Hospital. Artificial insemination (AI) is a well-established assisted-breeding technique. It involves a veterinary surgeon or qualified AI technician depositing semen into the uterus of the mare at the optimum time to allow fertilisation of her egg. It is widely used in show-jumpers, dressage, eventing and pleasure horses. … [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...]