Cambridge Equine Clinic

04/06/2026

A big thank you to Louis and Sky, who visited the clinic last week to help our final-year elective veterinary students develop their practical ultrasound skills.

Owned by our vet Theo, both horses were fantastic teachers while students practised performing a FLASH scan and tendon ultrasonography.

Fun fact: Louis and Sky are both rehomed racehorses, and Louis was bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II.

FLASH (Fast Localised Abdominal Sonography of Horses) is a rapid ultrasound examination of the abdomen that allows vets to assess key abdominal structures and identify abnormalities such as excessive fluid, intestinal distension, or changes associated with gastrointestinal disease. It is a valuable tool in the investigation of horses with colic and other abdominal conditions, helping clinicians gather important diagnostic information quickly and non-invasively.

The students also had the opportunity to practise tendon ultrasound examinations, learning how to assess tendon structure and recognise abnormalities associated with injury.

A huge thank you to Louis and Sky for their patience throughout the day and to Theo for bringing them along to support the training of the next generation of equine vets.

21/05/2026

We all know horses can get themselves into sticky situations but have never seen anything like this poor pony, who was found completely stuck in a tractor tyre. Read more below

15/05/2026

📢 Calling all sixth formers - join us for the University of Cambridge Vet School and Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge joint open day on Friday 28 August!

📅 Date: Friday, 28 August 2026
⌚ Time: 9am - 4:30pm
📍 Location: AM at Fitzwilliam College, PM at the Vet School (just a 15-minute walk!)

What to Expect:

• Engaging talks and tours
• A sample lecture and practical session
• Meet and greet with current students and staff

This Open Day is perfect for students planning to apply to study veterinary medicine at university, especially those still deciding on their vet school.

Check out our website for more details and how to secure your spot: https://www.vet.cam.ac.uk/news/join-us-vet-school-and-fitzwilliam-college-joint-open-day-friday-28-august

11/05/2026

***UPDATE****
Phone lines are now working!

❗️Our phone lines and internet are down at the moment❗️

If you have difficulty ringing in to reception please WhatsApp call or message 07788100457.

Apologies for the inconvenience. We will let you know as soon as the lines become available.

30/04/2026

25/04/2026

🤔 How Do Diseases Spread Among Horses 🦠

➡️ Indirect Transmission ⬅️

Agents that cause equine infectious diseases can still spread without direct contact between horses. Indirect spread of pathogens can be via contaminated equipment and horse clothing (sometimes described as fomites), as well as on the hands and clothes of people handling horses. Important means of indirect transmission can be through horses sharing contaminated water sources, stabling or horse transport that have not been properly cleaned and disinfected after being used by an infectious animal.

Tips for Prevention:

🔹Apply stringent cleaning and disinfection of equipment, stables and transport before use by another horse, practice good hand hygiene by washing hands regularly and carrying hand sanitiser with you at the yard, change clothes and boots when moving between stables.

🔹Chat with your vet about enhanced biosecurity protocols in dealing with horses involved in confirmed disease outbreaks.

24/04/2026

🚨 Equine Influenza 🚨

We are currently seeing a rise in confirmed cases of equine influenza both nationally and within our local area.

Equine influenza is a highly contagious viral disease that can cause:
• Coughing
• Nasal discharge
• Lethargy
• High Temperature (over 38.5C)

Vaccinated horses that are exposed to the virus typically show no signs or only mild symptoms — highlighting just how important vaccination is.

The virus can spread airborne for up to 3 miles, including from horses in transport. This means even horses that don’t leave the yard can still be at risk.

🛡️ Protection matters:
Research shows immunity from vaccination can begin to decline after around 6 months. During periods of increased risk, we strongly recommend that horses who haven’t been vaccinated within this timeframe receive a booster.

If you’re unsure of your horse’s vaccination status or would like advice, please don’t hesitate to contact the clinic to speak with Craig, Theo, Flora or Kate.

Stay vigilant and help protect your horses and others in the area.

More information is available in the link in the comments.

23/04/2026

Dr Hugo says, “Don’t forget to submit your poo samples for faecal egg counts.”

Our team is always here to support you with any questions regarding worming 🪱

09/04/2026

⚠️ Sycamore seedling reminder 🌱

As we embrace spring, it's crucial to be mindful of the emergence of sycamore seedlings. Despite their unassuming appearance, sycamore seedlings pose significant risks to horses.

Sycamore seedlings are associated with Atypical Myopathy (AM), a serious and often fatal condition in horses. AM occurs when horses ingest sycamore seeds or seedlings which contain Hypoglycin-A (HGA), a toxin that disrupts muscle function. The onset of AM is rapid, with mortality rates ranging from 56-61%.

👁️ Keep a vigilant eye on your fields for sycamore seedlings. If you spot any, take action immediately:

➡️ Remove sycamore seedlings from pastures.
➡️ Consult your vet if you suspect your horse has ingested sycamore material.

🤝 EIDS collaborates with the Université de Liège's Atypical Myopathy Alert Network (AMAG) and reports any cases of AM in our ICC reports.

➡️ If you are interested in reporting cases or receiving alerts on atypical myopathy, please visit our website's 'sign-up' page (www.equinesurveillance.org/) and look for the University of Liege logo.