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 Kerry Comb BVMS CertEP MRCVS www.ashbrookequinehospital.co.uk 01565 723030. First Aid and Equine Emergencies. Dealing with first aid and equine emergencies relies on being able to recognise a problem. Taking note of your horse’s normal demeanour and monitoring drinking, eating and the passage of urine and faeces will allow you to detect problems early. The vital signs - … [Read more...]

By Vicky Rowlands BVM&S CertEP MRCVS, Ashbrook Equine Hospital. Equine herpes virus (EHV) is a contagious viral disease commonly found in horses.  Despite this virus having had such a high profile recently, it has been continually endemic in the equine population.   Types of EHV There are multiple different types of herpes virus that affects equines.  EHV-1 is probably the … [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 6-8 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 … [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’) or … [Read more...]