Introduction

At The Barn Equine Surgery we aim to provide the highest quality of care for our clients and their horses. The practice covers the whole of the East Dorset, south Wiltshire and West Hampshire region and visits can be arranged for all routine equine veterinary work including modern dentistry. Our patients range from child's ponies to International Competition horses.

The practice provides cover for racecourses, team-chases, hunter trials, eventing and local shows where the vets often act as judges. We are registered for JMB height certification, we routinely work with the ILPH and RSPCA, and perform Riding Establishment Inspections for the New Forest, East Dorset, Salisbury and Purbeck District Councils.

Appointments

Each vet's vehicle is comprehensively stocked for all routine work including modern dentistry. Clients are asked to telephone at least two days in advance for routine appointments. For more detailed and technical investigations, clients have the opportunity to bring their horses to the surgery, where we have a more suitable environment for diagnosis and treatment than is available in the field.

Our services

Lameness and orthopaedics
An initial assessment in the field is backed up by the use of nerve blocks, x–rays and diagnostic ultrasound to accurately diagnose the problem. Examinations of the horse in hand, lunged and ridden, can be done at the surgery to aid diagnosis. Surgical treatment is available if required including diagnostic and surgical arthroscopy.

Pre-purchase examination – vettings
We strongly recommend a five stage pre–purchase examination for any horse you are considering buying. This normally takes up to two hours and comprises a very thorough examination of the horse. Vettings may also be required by insurance companies.

Preventative health care
Vaccinations for influenza, tetanus and herpes virus are recommended and provide a good opportunity for health checks, routine dentistry, assessment of worming regimes, farriery and foot care, as well as answering any queries on general management that you may have. We also offer a healthcare package for senior horses which involves vaccination, blood tests, worm egg counts, worming advice, full clinical examination and dental check.

Medical problems
Our facilities allow thorough investigations into more complex medical conditions such as recurrent colic, chronic coughs, weight loss and diarrhoea. Blood tests, worm egg counts and other tests can be performed immediately in our laboratory.

Equine Dentistry
We are a UK leading equine dentistry first opinion and referral centre. We can offer a complete equine dentistry service from routine maintenance rasping ('health floating') to performance work and advanced work including treatment of diseased teeth and gums. All of the vets are trained in all aspects of modern dentistry, and two of our vets have passed the BEVA/BVDA* equine dentistry certification scheme. >>more

Surgical care
Some surgical procedures are performed standing using modern sedative infusions and local anaesthetics, however many require general anaesthesia, and our surgical and in-patient facilities enable us to perform both elective and emergency surgeries. Operations include 'closed' castrations, 'rig' operations, arthoscopy for joint disease, eye operations and emergency colic surgery. For colic surgery we always have two veterinary surgeons operating and one vet closely monitoring the anaesthetic . Post-operative care is very important for colic surgery and our team provides round-the-clock care in such cases.

Farriery and footcare
The practice works closely with local farriers often at the surgery. We can arrange remedial farriery and surgical shoes using x-rays of the feet if necessary. Hospital pleates or rigid casts can be fitted following surgery of the foot region to aid recovery.