Preventative healh care is a vital aspect of keeping a horse or pony.

Routine visits for equine vaccinations are an important part of preventative health care, as are having regular health checks so that any issues can be spotted and dealt with early.

During an equine health check with a vet, our experienced team can also offer advice on diet, worming programmes, dental issues, and any other healthcare concerns you may have. 

At Pilgrims Veterinary Practice, our vets are able to visit your horse or pony anywhere in the Dorset and New Forest area. If 4 or more horses are seen at the same yard, the visit is FREE.

We recommend that all horses and ponies are vaccinated against influenza and tetanus routinely.

As well as equine health checks, Pilgrims Vets in the New Forest can provide you with the below equine services:

• Equine Vettings to help you purchase the right horse or pony for you
• Rounds Visits to provide fundamental health care
• Lameness Investigation is common for our experienced equine team
• Routine & Advanced Dentistry from basic rasping to extractions
• Equine Surgery for routine and more complex procedures
• We provide Emergency Equine Care for our clients

Looking for affordable health care at your premises?

Fundamental preventative health care for horses and ponies should be made affordable and our vets focus this work in different areas on different days to give you discounted visits.

Our experienced team conduct rounds visits that cover equine vaccinations, dentistry, bandage changes and prescription checks for your horse or pony.

Monday – Fordingbridge area

Tuesday – Downton area

Wednesday – Verwood area

Thursday – Cranborne area

Friday – Ringwood area

The cost of Rounds Visits is £12 per visit.

If 4 or more horses or ponies are seen at the same yard, the Rounds visit is FREE of charge.

• Pilgrims Vets in the New Forest can provide you with the below equine services:
• Equine Vettings to help you purchase the right horse or pony for you
• Routine & Advanced Dentistry from basic rasping to extractions
• Lameness Investigation is common for our experienced equine team
• Regular Equine Health Checks are important when keeping a horse or pony
• Equine Surgery for routine and more complex procedures
• We provide Emergency Equine Care for our clients

Equine surgical procedures include castrations, lump removals and wound closures.

Many routine procedures can be performed on your premises, anywhere in the Dorset or New Forest area. Our vets at Pilgrims perform these surgeries on a regular basis, and will be happy to come out to assess your horse, pony or donkey for surgery.

Standing sedation vs general anaesthetic

Horse and pony castrations, lump removals and wound closures can usually be performed under standing sedation. This depends on the procedure and also the temperament of the animal. In some cases, a short general anaesthetic is used, especially in more detailed surgical situations, such as with donkey castrations.

Horse colic surgery

Colic is the most common cause of premature death in domesticated horses. Major abdominal surgery is normally required to treat colic. Talk to our team about the cost of colic surgery for your horse.

As well as equine surgery, Pilgrims Vets in the New Forest can provide you with the below equine services:

• Equine Vettings to help you purchase the right horse or pony for you
• Rounds Visits to provide fundamental health care
• Routine & Advanced Dentistry from basic rasping to extractions
• Regular Equine Health Checks are important when keeping a horse or pony
• Lameness Investigation is common for our experienced equine team
• We provide Emergency Equine Care for our clients

Of all the equine health problems we encounter, horse lameness is among the most common.

Our equine vets are well experienced in lameness investigations and have a range of diagnostic equipment and treatment options to help tackle the problem.

What causes horse lameness?

Equine lameness is an abnormal gait or stance of a horse or pony that is the result of dysfunction of the locomotor system. We commonly see lameness in racehorses, sports horses, and pleasure horses. Equine lameness is often caused by pain, but can also be from neurologic or mechanical dysfunction.

With the use of nerve blocks, flexion tests, hoof testers and our fully ambulatory digital X-ray machine and M-turbo ultrasound, our equine vets can get to the root of the problem quickly and put together an appropriate treatment plan.

As well as equine lameness investigation, Pilgrims Vets in the New Forest can provide you with the below equine services:

• Equine Vettings to help you purchase the right horse or pony for you
• Rounds Visits to provide fundamental health care
• Routine & Advanced Dentistry from basic rasping to extractions
• Regular Equine Health Checks are important when keeping a horse or pony
• Equine Surgery for routine and more complex procedures
• We provide Emergency Equine Care for our clients
   

Looking after your equine companion's teeth is important for their overall wellbeing

Just like us, poor dental health can affect your horse or pony’s overall health & wellbeing, as well as causing pain. Untreated dental problems can make it difficult for your horse or pony to eat, may affect their mood, and could lead to secondary infections in other areas of the body.

Our equine vets are qualified and experienced in all aspects of routine dentistry, from basic rasping to standing extractions. They are also trained to look for signs of dental disorders and diagnose appropriately.

A thorough examination

The most important part of equine dentistry is actually examining the mouth, just like with humans. As well as looking after your horse or pony’s teeth, our equine vets are trained to examine the whole of the mouth for signs of any problems, and also to examine the animal as a whole as the mouth is just the beginning of their digestive tract.

An appropriate knowledge of dental anatomy and disorders enables our team to diagnose quickly and start treatment as soon as possible. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act (1966) a “diagnosis” can ONLY be reached by a qualified veterinary surgeon.

Many ponies and horses will tolerate basic rasping without the need for sedation, however, we will usually recommend sedation to allow a more thorough dental examination, and reduce the stress on your animal.

Equine dentistry equipment

We are equipped with a battery powered Dearson mechanical rasp for targeted and precise work, and a variety of hand rasps to suit any sized patient.

Our mobile digital X-ray unit also allows us to investigate dental issues further, and treat appropriately where necessary.

As well as equine dentistry, Pilgrims Vets in the New Forest can provide you with the below equine services:

• Equine Vettings to help you purchase the right horse or pony for you
• Rounds Visits to provide fundamental health care
• Lameness Investigation is common for our experienced equine team
• Regular Equine Health Checks are important when keeping a horse or pony
• Equine Surgery for routine and more complex procedures
• We provide Emergency Equine Care for our clients