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Monday 8:30am - 6pm Tuesday 8:30am - 6pm Wednesday 8:30am - 6pm Thursday 8:30am - 6pm Friday 8:30am - 6pm

Irish Equine Centre

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Irish Equine Centre

Agricultural Laboratory of the Year 2021! We provide diagnostic, disease & nutrition advice for all types of horses & other animals. Call us on 045 866266.

30/10/2026

Equine Parapoxvirus – IEVA Conference 2026
Attending the IEVA Conference? Don’t miss this important session on Saturday, 7 November.
Following the identification of equine parapoxvirus (EqPPV) as the causative agent in recent outbreaks of ulcerative dermatitis in horses in Ireland, this emerging disease will be discussed at the conference by:
🔬 Prof. Ann Cullinane
🐴 Dr Jennie Henderson
🩺 Dr Don Collins
The session will explore what we currently know about equine parapoxvirus, including its clinical presentation, transmission and diagnosis, and the implications for veterinary practitioners and the wider equine industry.
Clinical signs can resemble those associated with EHV-3 and include raised red spots, blisters, pustules and ulcers, particularly affecting the ge***al and perineal areas. The virus can also potentially infect people, making awareness and appropriate biosecurity particularly important.
The Irish Equine Centre has a PCR test for equine parapoxvirus available and encourages veterinary surgeons to remain vigilant and investigate suspect cases.
📅 Saturday, 7 November 2026
📍 IEVA Conference
We look forward to seeing many of you there and to sharing the latest information on this emerging equine disease.

28/10/2026

Send samples to the IEC for ELISA testing for tapeworms. Autumn is an important time to test and ensures you have targeted treatment for those horses that need it

26/10/2026

Do you know what minerals your horse is actually getting?
Good nutrition starts with knowing what’s in the feed and forage your horse consumes every day.
The Irish Equine Centre’s Environment & Nutrition Laboratory provides mineral analysis of hay, haylage, grass and feed, helping owners, breeders, trainers and veterinary professionals make more informed nutritional decisions.
Mineral testing can help identify deficiencies, excesses and imbalances in the diet. This is particularly useful when assessing forage as the foundation of a horse’s ration, investigating nutritional concerns, or deciding whether supplementation is actually needed.
🔬 Testing can include important minerals and trace elements such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, sodium, copper, zinc, iron, manganese and selenium, depending on the analytical package selected.
Understanding the mineral profile of your forage and feed can help you:
🌱 Build a more balanced ration
🐴 Match nutrition to your horse’s individual requirements
⚖️ Identify potential mineral imbalances
💊 Make better-informed supplementation decisions
📊 Monitor changes between different forage batches or seasons
Test first. Supplement with purpose.
For information on mineral testing, sample requirements or choosing the most appropriate analysis for your horse, contact the IEC Environment & Nutrition team.

23/10/2026

Do you know what’s in your water?
Whether it’s for your home, your horses or your yard, water quality matters.
The Irish Equine Centre provides water testing services for a range of water sources, including:
💧 Private wells
🚰 Mains water
🌿 Streams and natural water sources
Water can look, smell and taste perfectly normal while still containing microorganisms or other contaminants that may affect its suitability for use.
Testing can help assess water intended for domestic use and equine consumption, giving owners, yards, studs and farms greater confidence in the quality of their water supply.
Regular testing can be particularly valuable for private wells and natural water sources, and following events that may affect water quality, such as heavy rainfall, flooding or changes in the appearance, taste or smell of the water.
🔬 Water testing is available through the Irish Equine Centre’s Environment & Nutrition Laboratory.
For advice on the appropriate testing for your water source, sample collection or submission requirements, contact our team

Good water quality matters — for people and for horses.

21/10/2026

Does your horse need treating for tapeworm?
Rather than routinely treating for tapeworm, testing can help you make a more informed decision about whether treatment is actually required. The Irish Equine Centre has Equisal® saliva testing kits available onsite, providing horse owners, trainers and veterinary practices with a simple way to test for tapeworm infection.
The saliva test can help identify horses with tapeworm burdens and support a targeted parasite-control programme — treating when necessary rather than automatically.

Test. Target. Treat when needed.

19/10/2026

With the winds we have had and changing season please be aware of sycamore seeds as they drop

16/10/2026

As the weather changes and yards prepare for the changes it is an important time to check and improve your overall biosecurity. Prevention is better than cure so chat to our Environment team to see how targeted testing could help you ahead of the winter season

14/10/2026

Respiratory problems can be difficult to pinpoint — cytology can help provide a clearer picture.
Cytological examination of Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) and Tracheal Lavage/Wash (TRL/TW) samples can be valuable in the investigation of small airway disease in horses.
Examining the cells present in these samples can help your veterinary surgeon assess:
- Mucus production within the airways
- Acute or chronic inflammation
- Septic inflammatory responses
- Reactive or non-septic inflammation
At the Irish Equine Centre, our team provides expert cytological analysis of BAL and tracheal samples, alongside a wider range of equine fluid samples including peritoneal, pleural and synovial fluid.
🔬 Independent diagnostic expertise supporting vets, trainers and owners in making informed decisions about equine health.

13/10/2026

This is the final call for Beef Welfare Scheme 2026, if you don't do it today you miss it for 2026

12/10/2026

🐴 Don't Guess. Test.

A faecal egg count (FEC) is one of the simplest and most effective ways to manage your horse's worming programme.

Rather than worming routinely, faecal egg testing tells you whether your horse is shedding worm eggs and whether treatment is actually needed. This evidence-based approach helps:

🧪 Identify horses that require treatment
💊 Avoid unnecessary use of wormers
🦠 Slow the development of anthelmintic resistance
🌿 Support healthier horses and more sustainable parasite control

Regular faecal egg testing should form part of every yard's parasite control programme, alongside targeted tapeworm testing in the autumn.

Address

Johnstown Naas
Johnstown

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 6pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 6pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 6pm
Thursday	8:30am - 6pm
Friday	8:30am - 6pm

Website

http://www.irishequinecentre.ie/

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