Simon Constable's Equine Vets

03/09/2026

https://hoys.co.uk/news/equine-influenza-vaccination-requirements-update/

We are now only 5 weeks from the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) and it’s always worthwhile to check and re-check your passports.

If your vaccinations have lapsed then, fear not, there is time to restart the vaccination course and still be eligible for HOYS because the interval between first and second vaccinations is 21-60 days and the minimum requirement is the first two vaccinations.

Remember that vaccinations MUST NOT be given within 7 Days of entrance to the show!

Please contact us if you are unsure of your vaccination status 0161 724 4503 or send a photo of your passport vaccination page.

Don’t delay because time is limited if you have to start again…….

Please note new updated vaccination requirements for animals starting their primary vaccinations as of January 2024. All horses and ponies will be inspected prior to entry to the showground. Any horse or pony without a certificate that complies with the regulations set out below will be refused entr...

25/08/2026

CASE STUDY- NAIL IN FOOT
A 6 year old Warmbloods gelding was seen out-of-hours for a nail in the foot after being brought in from the field having gone out completely normal that morning.
Ben, the Vet on duty, visited him and was concerned with the angle and apparent size of the nail as well as the position of pe*******on. Luckily, the nail was still in situ and Ben was able to take X-rays immediately to see the deeper structures that may have been damaged by the nail.

As can be seen from the radiographs the nail had entered the foot towards the middle/back part of the sole but had angled further back towards the bulbs of the heel. This area is a fatty and fleshy part of the foot called the digital cushion and although infection can be quite problematical it is generally successfully treated.

Luckily, there was no damage to the synovial structures in the foot such as the navicular bursa and coffin joint nor was there any bony damage to the pedal or navicular bones.
The deep digital flexor tendon also runs close to this area and if penetrated could cause life-threatening injury but, again, this remained unharmed.
Treatment involved digging out the nail and foot, flushing and poulticing along with antibiotic cover.
The owner and Ben’s prompt actions allowed the urgent, vital attention which led to the right treatment.
Unfortunately not all of these cases turn out this way especially if there has been a delay in treatment.

Many weeks later he has made a good recovery and although there was residual soreness for a number of weeks there shouldn’t be any long-term problems and he should return to full work.

This shows the importance of checking the feet on a daily basis to ensure foreign bodies such as this are not stuck in the foot and as long as the nail wouldn’t be pushed in further it is important that the owner left the nail in place to allow X-rays to be taken.

There is also an option for MRI Scanning if the nail were to be removed, but this requires a hospital visit.

24/08/2026

Strangles Outbreak.

There has been a Strangles outbreak in the north of the practice, Rossendale, and other suspected cases more locally which are pending results.

Although all the yards are following strict bio-security measures there is the potential risk for spread so we are advising a top up of Strangles vaccination for anyone who has been already vaccinated.
Alternatively if no vaccinations against strangles have been given then the primary course would be required.

Obviously strict bio-security is essential to prevent transmission and being careful about attending shows. If allowing new horses on yards it is vital to insist on quarantine on arrival!

Any respiratory signs must be investigated and taking re**al temperatures is a good way to start. Generally strangles cases have a high temperature and are off-colour/not eating/quiet etc but some can be carriers and show minimal minimal signs.

24/08/2026

Strangles Outbreak.

There has been a Strangles outbreak in the north of the practice, Rossendale, and other suspected cases more locally which are pending results.

Although all the yards are following strict bio-security measures there is the potential risk for spread so we are advising a top up of Strangles vaccination for anyone who has been already vaccinated.
Alternatively if no vaccinations against strangles have been given then the primary course would be required.

Obviously strict bio-security is essential to prevent transmission and being careful about attending shows. If allowing new horses on yards it is vital to insist on quarantine on arrival!

Any respiratory signs must be investigated and taking re**al temperatures is a good way to start. Generally strangles cases have a high temperature and are off-colour/not eating/quiet etc but some can be carriers and show minimal minimal signs.

20/08/2026

I sometimes feel a bit like a glorified weatherman but inevitably the weather substantially affects our equines!
The heavy downpours are providing much needed rain but………..

As a result of the poor grass growth and “stress” conditions, many more Sycamore seeds are freely available on pasture.

The trees have been dropping their leaves and helicopter seeds due to the dry weather which combined with the shortness of the grass, makes them more likely to be eaten.

Potentially this may lead to Atypical Myopathy which can present as colic initially but may show signs of muscle damage demonstrated as brown or dark red urine as muscle pigment is excreted.

Be aware if you have any Sycamores on your pasture land and look out for the leaves, seeds and saplings, all of which may contain the Hypoglycin A toxin.

19/08/2026

🐴 PH Hexam joined the mounted branch of Greater Manchester Police at four years old, and he did not leave it for thirteen years.

In 2016, at a Manchester United–Liverpool match, the crowd turned. Smoke bombs. Firecrackers going off at hoof level. The kind of noise and light that every instinct in a horse screams at him to run from. Hexam stood. So did his stablemates Tangle and Captain. Three horses held a line that a wall of people was pushing against, and they did it because their riders asked them to and because the trust between them had been built one ordinary shift at a time.

That year he was named Public Service Animal of the Year at the Animal Hero Awards.

He retired at seventeen. And here is the part I love most: he went to live with his own vet, Simon Constable — the man who had known his legs and his heart and his history better than almost anyone. After thirteen years of standing in front of chaos, Hexam got a field, a quiet routine, and a person who already knew every inch of him.

A police horse is asked to override the oldest instinct he has, every single shift, on nothing but trust.

What do you think a horse has to believe about his person to stand still in that much noise?

18/08/2026

The expected rai has arrived and, although there is a lot of “catching up” for the reservoirs to do, the thirsty paddocks will lap the water up very quickly.
There is a real risk of water-starved grass growing very quickly over the next few days producing a flush of grass,
This has risks for colic and laminitis and we would recommend care with turnout- as usual, look at the greenness of the droppings to gauge how much/how rich the grass actually is!
At least the softer ground (if the rain is prolonged) should reduce the concussion on their legs!! Every cloud……

09/08/2026

Glyncoch Honey Pot in very illustrious company!!!

07/08/2026

Foot abscesses have been surprisingly common this summer with the dry weather. Usually it is wet muddy conditions that soften the hoof and allow dirt and bacteria to get deeper into the horn to cause an abscess.
After paring out the abscess, opening it up to allow the pus to drain, it is important to flush (“tubbing”), poultice and keep it clean to allow drainage.
Here is an easy way to bandage the foot after applying the poultice, using a duct tape mesh.
I can’t claim the invention of this technique!!

31/07/2026

Why Regular Dental Checks Are Essential for Your Horse?

When we think about keeping our horses healthy, dental health is one of the most important reasons horses are living longer. It’s something that can easily be overlooked because it’s not easy to check without a gag!

Unlike humans, a horse’s teeth continue to “grow” or, more correctly, erupt throughout their life. As they wear down through chewing, sharp edges, hooks, and uneven surfaces can develop. These can make eating uncomfortable and may even affect your horse’s performance.

Some common signs that your horse may need a dental examination include:

• Dropping partially chewed food (known as quidding)
• Weight loss or difficulty maintaining condition
• Head shaking or resistance when ridden
• Bad breath
• Excessive salivation
• Difficulty accepting the bit

It’s worth remembering that many horses show no obvious signs of discomfort until problems have become quite advanced. Regular dental examinations and rasping (or floating as it’s also known) allow issues to be identified and treated before they become painful or lead to more serious complications.

Routine dental care can improve comfort, digestion, performance, and overall wellbeing. Most adult horses benefit from a dental examination every 6–12 months, although youngsters, aged horses and those with known dental issues may require more frequent checks.

We always carry sedatives with us so I f sedation is required then this can easily be given to make the stress of dentistry more tolerable!

Give us a call on 0161 724 4503 to book in.