LINGFIELD EQUINE VETS

As horses age, their medical and management needs change in ways that are sometimes subtle but highly significant. Many senior horses in Surrey remain active, bright, and content well into their late teens and twenties, and some continue light ridden work even beyond that. However, ageing brings predictable physiological changes that require proactive and tailored management. Equine preventive care for senior horses is not simply about maintaining annual vaccinations — it is about adapting healthcare strategies to preserve comfort, maintain function, and protect quality of life for as long as possible.   Ageing affects every organ system. Over time, dental wear patterns alter, digestive efficiency declines, metabolic regulation may become unstable, immune responsiveness can reduce, and musculoskeletal degeneration gradually progresses. These changes do not occur overnight. Instead, they develop slowly, often without obvious outward signs until the horse begins to lose weight, move ...

When a horse requires hospitalisation , it can be an anxious and uncertain time for any owner. Whether admission is planned — such as for surgery, advanced imaging, or intensive diagnostic work-up — or unplanned due to acute illness, understanding what happens behind the scenes can provide reassurance. In-patient care is structured, closely monitored, and purpose-built to support both immediate stabilisation and long-term recovery. From admission through to discharge, every stage follows a systematic clinical framework designed to prioritise safety, welfare, and optimal outcome.   Admission begins with a detailed clinical handover. We review the presenting complaint, timeline of symptoms, previous medical history, medication use, vaccination and worming status, feeding regime, and any relevant behavioural considerations. Small details — such as recent travel, changes in turnout, or alterations in work intensity — can influence diagnosis and treatment planning. A full physical exami...

While many horses can be safely treated at home, some medical and surgical conditions benefit significantly from closer monitoring and more intensive veterinary support. Hospitalisation allows us to provide structured, round-the-clock care for horses that are seriously unwell, recovering from surgery, or requiring frequent reassessment and treatment adjustments. This level of supervision can be especially important for conditions such as colic, severe lameness, systemic infection, dehydration, respiratory compromise, post-operative recovery, or complex metabolic disease. For many owners, the decision to hospitalise a horse can feel daunting. Horses are creatures of habit, and their home environment feels safe and familiar. Separation from companions and routine can understandably cause concern. However, hospitalisation is not about removing a horse from their comfort zone unnecessarily — it is about providing the right level of care at the right time. In certain situations, access to...

Noticing a limp or uneven gait in your horse can be deeply concerning. Sometimes the change is obvious — a clear head nod, reluctance to bear weight, or visible swelling — but often it is much more subtle. A horse may feel less forward, resist bending on one rein, struggle with transitions, shorten its stride, or simply feel “not quite right.” These early changes are often the first indicators of discomfort. Because lameness can originate from many different structures, identifying the root cause requires a careful, structured, and methodical veterinary approach. Lameness itself is not a diagnosis; it is a clinical sign indicating pain, mechanical restriction, or occasionally neurological dysfunction. The equine limb is anatomically complex, and even a small area of pathology can significantly influence movement. Effective treatment depends entirely on accurately localising and diagnosing the source of discomfort. Without that clarity, management becomes guesswork — and guesswork often...

Lameness can be worrying for any horse owner, whether it appears suddenly after an obvious incident or develops gradually over weeks or months. A mild unevenness under saddle, reluctance to turn on one rein, shortened stride, resistance in transitions, or stiffness during warm-up may seem minor at first, yet these subtle changes are often the earliest indicators of discomfort. Because lameness can arise from many different structures within the limb — including joints, bones, tendons, ligaments, the hoof capsule, supporting soft tissues, or even the back and pelvis — accurate diagnosis requires a structured, systematic, and evidence-based approach rather than assumption or guesswork. Horses are remarkably adept at compensating for discomfort. They may redistribute weight to other limbs, subtly alter their gait, or adjust posture to avoid pain. Over time, this compensation can create secondary tension and strain elsewhere in the body. For this reason, identifying the true primary source...