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Orrell Equine Veterinary Ltd

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Orrell Equine Veterinary Ltd

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The practice is located at:

2 Wigan Road
Golborne
Warrington
WA3 3UA

We are open 8:00 am to 4pm Monday to Friday, with 24 hour callout.

09/11/2026

VACCINATING FOR EQUINE HERPES VIRUS (EHV)

What is EHV?

EHV refers to a group of 5 herpes viruses that can cause respiratory illness, abortion + abortions storms in pregnant mares, and neurological diseases. The most clinically important of these viruses are EHV-1 and EHV-4.

If your mare is in foal, now is a good time to think about protecting her against Equine Herpesvirus (EHV). EHV-1 is an important cause of infectious abortion in horses. Infection during pregnancy can result in abortion, stillbirth, or the birth of a weak foal. Unfortunately, mares can sometimes carry and spread the virus without showing any obvious signs of illness.

Why vaccinate your pregnant mare?

Vaccination against EHV-1 helps to reduce the risk of abortion associated with infection. It is an important part of managing the health of broodmares.

When should my mare be vaccinated?

The recommended vaccination schedule for pregnant mares is three additional EHV vaccinations during pregnancy:

· 5 months pregnant – first gestational booster.

· 7 months pregnant – second gestational booster.

· 9 months pregnant – third gestational booster.

These vaccinations are given in addition to the mare's routine EHV vaccination programme, including six-monthly boosters where appropriate. If your mare has never been vaccinated against EHV, or her vaccination history is incomplete, contact us for further information.

Can vaccination completely prevent EHV?

Unfortunately, no. Vaccination helps reduce the risk of EHV-associated abortion but does not provide complete protection against infection. Good biosecurity is equally important.

We recommend:

· Quarantining new arrivals before introducing them to the yard.

· Avoiding sharing buckets, equipment and tack between horses.

· Monitoring pregnant mares for signs of illness, particularly raised temperatures.

· Isolating any horse showing signs of respiratory disease or illness and contacting your vet.

When planning for foaling, making sure your mare is up to date with her vaccinations is an important part of preparing for a healthy pregnancy and future foal.

If your mare is in foal and you would like to discuss her EHV vaccination status, get in touch with the practice. Our vets are happy to help you plan the most appropriate vaccination schedule for your mare.

14/09/2026

With the changing weather this last couple of weeks, we have seen a flush of grass growth. Although it’s nice to see the paddocks green again, it does mean we need to consider increased laminitis risk.

15/07/2026

☀️Keeping Your Horse Cool This Week🐴

With the warm weather sticking around, here are a few simple ways to help your horse stay happy and healthy:

😎Shade - Turn out during the cooler parts of the day and make sure there's plenty of shade or shelter.

🦆Hydration - Keep fresh, clean water available at all times. A salt lick or electrolytes can help replace minerals lost through sweating.

🧴Sun Protection - Apply equine-safe sun cream to pink skin and white markings, and use aqueous cream on hooves to help prevent them drying out.

🐎Exercise Smart - If it's too hot for you, it's too hot for your horse. Ride early morning or later in the evening, and cool them down afterwards with cold water, scraping between applications.

Watch out for signs of heat stress:

⚠️Excessive sweating
⚠️Fast or laboured breathing
⚠️Lethargy or weakness
⚠️Stumbling or reluctance to move
⚠️Confusion or collapse

If you think your horse is suffering from heatstroke, move them into the shade, start cooling them with cold water immediately, and contact us without delay.

💙Stay safe,stay cool 🧊and enjoy the sunshine!

📸We'd love to see your horses keeping cool! Share a photo below of them relaxing in the shade, enjoying a hose-down, or out on an early morning hack🌞

01/07/2026

🚨EQUINE INFLUENZA ALERT🐴🦠 - FREE TESTING**

Recent outbreaks of equine influenza are a reminder to stay vigilant. Early detection, good biosecurity and up-to-date vaccination are key to protecting your horse and reducing the spread of disease.

⚠️Watch for:
* Fever (>38.5°C) - often the first sign
* Nasal discharge
* Cough
* Lethargy
* Reduced appetite

If your horse develops a temperature above 38.5°C or any respiratory signs, isolate them immediately and contact the practice.

🛡️Biosecurity matters
Recent surveillance has shown that 66% of laboratory-confirmed outbreaks had a recent history of travel.

✔️Quarantine new or returning horses for 2–3 weeks
✔️Monitor your horse's temperature daily after travel or attending events
✔️Avoid sharing equipment and minimise contact with other horses if illness is suspected

💉VACCINATION - THE BEST DEFENCE
63% of laboratory-confirmed cases were in unvaccinated horses.

Now is a good time to check your horse's vaccinations are up to date. If your horse has been in contact with a suspected or confirmed case, a booster is recommended if it has been more than 6 months since their last vaccination.

🦠Concerned your horse may have equine flu? Contact the practice promptly.

** ‼️We are proud to participate in the HBLB Equine Influenza Surveillance Scheme, providing FREE laboratory testing for eligible cases (veterinary visit and sample collection fees apply)‼️

Early diagnosis helps your horse and contributes to national surveillance, helping protect the wider equine community🔒

📚Further information
Stay up to date with the latest UK equine influenza outbreaks and surveillance:
https://equinesurveillance.org/equiflunet/

Practical advice for horse owners on what to do if you suspect equine influenza:
https://equinesurveillance.org/equiflunet/What_to_do_with_equine_flu2024V1.pdf

23/04/2026

🪱Worming Advice for Horses🪱

Targeted worming is the gold standard for effective parasite control. Follow our guide below to help protect your horse!

1️⃣ Assess your horse’s individual risk (tools like “What’s Your Worm Risk?” can help guide you 👉 https://www.whatsyourwormrisk.com/page/risk-assessment)

2️⃣ Test regularly: faecal egg counts (FECs), tapeworm and encysted redworm testing.

3️⃣ Treat based on results, not guesswork. Seasonal FECs and annual FEC reduction tests help monitor effectiveness and detect resistance.

Routine blanket worming is no longer recommended. Instead, work with your vet using up-to-date test results to create a tailored plan for your horse.

You’re always welcome to speak to a member of the team or drop a sample into the practice!

Healthy horses, healthier pastures 🌱

Address

2 Wigan Road Golborne
Warrington
WA33UA

Telephone

+441942733989

Website

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