News

Wednesday, 6 April 2016 - 5:42pm

In conjunction with MSD, St Boniface Vets are hosting a client evening on 19th April, 7pm.
 
Rowena Rogers, from MSD, will give a presentation on Infectious Respiratory Disease including Influenza, Strangles and Equine Herpes Virus.  She will give you some information about common respiratory infections, how to treat and prevent them.
 
Clare will then give a short presentation on the causes and management of non-infectious respiratory conditions.
 
We...

Monday, 22 February 2016 - 4:53pm

The other horses on my yard have their teeth rasped every year – is this really necessary?

Routine dentistry is an important part in keeping your horse fit and healthy – his teeth should be examined at least once a year and vaccination is often a convenient time to do this.  Recent studies have shown that up to 80% of domestic horses have significant dental problems.

Horses teeth continually grow throughout their life at a rate of 2-3mm per year.  This growth...

Friday, 19 February 2016 - 8:58am

We have recently become aware, that there is a confirmed case of Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) at a local yard, and understandably many of you have called us for advice.

Equine Herpes Virus may cause respiratory disease, most commonly in youngstock.  Less common symptoms are abortion in pregnant mares, and rarely neurological signs.

Signs of respiratory disease due to EHV-1 infection include:-

  • High temperature
  • Cough
  • Nasal Discharge
  • Generally...
Wednesday, 13 January 2016 - 1:41pm

Many of you will use Devils Claw (Harpagoside), or supplements containing this natural remedy to treat your horses.  Devils Claw is commonly found in pain relief products such as NoBute and Devils Relief.

From 1st January 2016, Harpagoside has been added to the FEI Equine Prohibited Substance List.  This means that any horse competing under rules that adopt the FEI Clean Sport policy (including BD, BE, BS and many Riding Club activities) cannot be treated with Devils Claw.

...

Monday, 4 January 2016 - 1:43pm

Rory is an elderly pony who has lived in his field in Crediton for over 30 years!  On the night of 27th December, his owner found Rory the wrong side of the fence at the bottom of his field - while attempting to get back, Rory caught his back legs and slipped over, becoming stuck at the bottom of a very steep, muddy, slippery hill against a chain link fence and stuck in brambles!

Seeing Rory's predicament, his owners quickly called St Boniface Emergency Line, and vet Clare attended. ...

Thursday, 3 December 2015 - 4:11pm

PONY TOP TIPS – WINTER FEEDING

  • Avoid overfeeding (ponies are adapted to do well on very little)
  • Feed plenty of fibre with minimal ‘hard feed’
  • Feed little and often – ponies are designed as ‘trickle feeders’
  • Make any changes in diet gradually to allow the friendly bacteria in the gut time to adjust
  • Do not feed mouldy or frosted / frozen food – they can cause colic
  • Store food under cover and away from rats and mischievous ponies
  • ...
Monday, 30 November 2015 - 5:05pm

Romany Red is a 13 year old Gelding who lives near Crediton with his family.  He enjoys a variety of pony club activities but is particularly good at jumping.

On the morning of 22nd August, Reds owners found him in his field looking a little sorry for himself, with a few spots of blood on his back legs and tail.  They called the practice and when the vet arrived a wound was found under the base of Reds tail, extending deep into the tissue.  On further investigation the gate in the...

Thursday, 22 October 2015 - 12:30pm

Over the past couple of weeks, the St Boniface Equine team have been delighted to welcome Jeremy Kemp-Symonds, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), MSc, BVMS, PGCHE, MRCVS to the Equine department at Wolfgar Farm.

Jeremy is an equine surgeon who specialises in the treatment and removal of skin tumours using CO2 laser with adjunctive treatments as required.
 
Working together, St Boniface and Jeremy have recently treated a sarcoid on a...

Thursday, 17 September 2015 - 1:46pm

21st-28th September 2015 marks the first national Horse Health Week, part of the Keeping Britain’s Horses Healthy Campaign.

Horse Health Week, launched by MSD Animal Health to promote the wellbeing of the nation’s horses, is nearly upon us! During the week we will be raising awareness of the seven pillars of responsible horse ownership.
 
The seven pillars of responsible horse ownership aim to promote horse welfare through preventative management and raising awareness of...

Wednesday, 16 September 2015 - 3:11pm

Over the past couple of weeks, the St Boniface Equine team has been delighted to welcome Jeremy Kemp-Symonds, BA (Hons), BSc (Hons), MSc, BVMS, PGCHE, MRCVS to the Equine department at Wolfgar Farm.  Jeremy is an equine surgeon who specialises in the treatment and removal of skin tumours using CO2 laser with adjunctive treatments as required.

We recently had to treat a grey gelding with an irregular lesion on the upper eye lid.  A biopsy of the lump confirmed it was a sarcoid (picture...

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