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’) or … [Read more...]

How to Control Sweet Itch Roger Dixon MRCVS Ashbrook Equine Hospital, Cheshire. Sweet itch is an allergic reaction to the saliva of the Culicoides midge and the black fly (simulium). It is thought to affect over 50000 horses in the UK each year and commonly occurs after turnout in the spring. Some horses are thought to have a genetic predisposition to sweet itch e.g. Icelandics … [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. However, … [Read more...]

By Julia Shrubb MA VetMB CertAVP(EM) MRCVS, Ashbrook Equine Hospital. Laminitis is a very common condition that is always painful, potentially life-threatening and causes suffering even in mild cases. This preventable condition is often costly, difficult to manage and can result in long term damage. Traditionally, laminitis has been associated with grass and overweight ponies; … [Read more...]

By Julia ShrubbMA VetMB CertAVP(EM) MRCVSAshbrook Equine Hospital It is not surprising that many people are confused about worming. There is no one plan that is suitable for every yard and best practice for worm control in horses, ponies and donkeys has changed over the years to a more targeted approach - worming only when necessary, with a suitable product, at a suitable … [Read more...]