Phoenix Equine

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Phoenix Equine Tony Kaye and his team, Phoenix Equine, are dedicated to providing outstanding veterinary care to horses, donkeys and ponies.

Phoenix Equine is part of CVS (UK) Limited, a company which owns veterinary practices within the UK. Company Registration Number 03777473. Registered Office: CVS House, Owen Road, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4ER.

💥🎇💥 Need medication for fireworks night? 💥🎇💥If you are needing sedation and/or anti-anxiety medication for your horse, ...
14/10/2026

💥🎇💥 Need medication for fireworks night? 💥🎇💥

If you are needing sedation and/or anti-anxiety medication for your horse, pony or donkey for the next coming weeks with fireworks please do give the office a ring ASAP to get this arranged and ordered on 01392 793600 📞

Bare in mind we will have needed to have seen the horse or donkey recently prior to prescribing the sedation

🦆🌧 It is starting to get muddy!! 🌧🦆With this rain we have had over the past few weeks, we are starting to see Mud Fever ...
12/10/2026

🦆🌧 It is starting to get muddy!! 🌧🦆

With this rain we have had over the past few weeks, we are starting to see Mud Fever becoming a problem in our horse, pony and donkey patients.

Mud fever is a skin condition that causes scabs and sores on horses legs, with the fancy scientific disease name of 'pastern dermatitis'.

It is commonly seen in the winter months due to the wet weather which the bacteria loves to thrive in but can also be seen year round. It is not contagious from horse to horse but can be picked up from the mud/pasture when the skin is already fragile such as being constantly wet from mud or wet grass. This is why we often say that the skin has to be happy and healthy for the condition to be resolved. You may also hear us using the term 'skin barrier' and if this skin barrier is damaged or inflammed this increases the risk of mud fever happening.

Mud fever is caused by bacteria so is an infection which can be painful and uncomfortable for your horse, common signs of mud fever include:

🐴 Broken skin below the fetlocks
🐴 Patches of hair loss with raw/inflammed/angry skin
🐴 Scabs that may weep discharge below the fetlocks
🐴 Swelling and heat in the lower limbs

In severe cases it can cause the leg to swell known as cellulitis and lymphangitis which often requires stronger medication to resolve.

If you spot any signs of mud fever please contact us on 01392 793600 📞

Does your horse, pony or donkey go foraging in the hedgerows? 🐴🌿Foraging in hedgerows can be great for our equines as it...
10/10/2026

Does your horse, pony or donkey go foraging in the hedgerows? 🐴🌿

Foraging in hedgerows can be great for our equines as it taps into their natural desire to seek out food and select what they want to eat. Not only is it beneficial to them from the varying nutrients they can get but also keeps their brains active keeping some of them occupied for hours 🧠

Donkeys especially love to explore hedges including trees so providing safe branches in their paddock or yard area can be really mentally stimulating for them - just watch out for the flying branch during play time!

However, foraging in hedgerows can also cause a few problems such as:

🌿 Eye problems from scratches on thorns
🌿 Stomach problems from gorging on inappropriate plants
🌿 Toxic plants being ingested
🌿 Twigs and sticks getting stuck in their mouths or between teeth

Keeping a gentle eye on what your equines are up to with the hedges is always a good idea - it also prevents escape holes appearing into next doors field!

Interesting information coming from the research and numbers behind this years equine flu outbreak - massive thank you t...
09/10/2026

Interesting information coming from the research and numbers behind this years equine flu outbreak - massive thank you to Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance (EIDS) for the information shared below 🐴

So why is this years outbreak important?

🧫 Firstly it is always important to remember with these numbers that this isn't the full story - these are only cases that were lab diagnosed and reported to EIDS so the true number of cases could easily be much greater.

🦠 Not all flu virus is the same and there are different strains which can be identified - this year was the first time that EI H3N8 Florida clade 1 (FC1) was found in the UK, most likely brought over or mutated in early 2026. It shows that movement of horses has the ability of bringing in different strains of disease not seen previously in the UK but that also not all diseases will stay the same over time

💉 This years outbreak had strong association with horses that were not vaccinated and also with horse movements - two factors which can easily be managed and controlled

🤩 The good news - the equine flu case numbers increase was identified this year quickly and measures brought into spread awareness and control measures meaning that case numbers rapidly decreased in July after spiking through March to June.
Learning from disease outbreaks is so important - it allows us to know how to manage future outbreaks and also understand how diseases and our populations response is changing or adapting.

🏇🦺🐴 Don't forget your hi-vis! 🏇🦺🐴Now that the days are much shorter and more dingy during the day it is so important to ...
07/10/2026

🏇🦺🐴 Don't forget your hi-vis! 🏇🦺🐴

Now that the days are much shorter and more dingy during the day it is so important to not forget about how visible you are to other road users!

Driving around we are still seeing riders wearing no hi-vis when out on the roads and it is really hard to see them. As equestrians, we are so vulnerable to other road users so make yourself as obvious as possible! Do not give other road users an excuse for putting you at risk with the excuse 'oh we didn't see you'. Be bright - be seen!

Help make you and your horse visible by wearing Hi-Vis clothing, also think about maybe wearing lights as these can also help especially in the darker light.

And do not forget, Hi-Vis should be on both you and your horse - if the worst happens and you get separated it is even more important that you both are able to be seen.

Even when it may seem bright - dappled light or the low sun can be blinding to other road users which then can greatly decrease your visibility to them.

Ridden hacking isn't the only time hi-viz should be worn, hand walking or long reining are also both times we become vulnerable to other road users.

Please share this as sadly we still see horse riders with no Hi-Vis and it scares us vets! We do not want to be trying to fix or even putting your horse to sleep due to an incident on the roads simply because you couldn't be seen.

🏇🦺🐴🏇🦺🐴 Better to be safe than sorry 🏇🦺🐴🏇🦺🐴

🎆 Fireworks tips - Summary of tips and hints! 🎆Here is a brief run down of the hints and tips discussed over the past fe...
05/10/2026

🎆 Fireworks tips - Summary of tips and hints! 🎆

Here is a brief run down of the hints and tips discussed over the past few days that is a useful summary to keep to hand!

The most important thing out of any advice is to:

*** Remain calm and be very aware of your own safety, especially when you and your horse is stressed. An injured owner is no good to anyone, including your horse! ***

🎆 Find out if there are any displays planned near to where your horse is kept. Local press and shop notice boards as well as radio and Facebook groups can be helpful

🎆 Speak to the organisers. What measures they can take to help? Eg, moving to the far end of a site. And ask about timings so you can manage your horse appropriately

🎆 It may be worth asking people living locally if they intend to have any private fireworks

🎆 Stick to your horse’s normal routine wherever possible as sudden changes may make them more unsettled. If they are usually stabled, keep them stabled. If they are normally out in the field, keep them out there as long as it is safe, secure and not close to a display area

🎆 Wherever your horse is spending the night make sure it is safe and secure. If they are staying in check the stable for protruding nails or loose string. If out in the field make sure your fencing is secure with no broken rails, no barbed wire and cleared of objects that could possibly cause injury, such as farm machinery

🎆 Playing music can mask bangs. However, make sure you this in itself won't upset the horses

🎆 Leaving lights on can help reduce the effect of sudden bright flashes in the night sky

🎆 Make sure you are with them during the scheduled times for any local displays. If you can’t be there, ensure you have someone experienced checking throughout the duration of any displays.

🎆 Leave clear instructions if you are unable to be at the yard with contact information for you and your vet should anything happen. If you know your horse gets very stressed around fireworks, consider moving them for the night or talking to your vet about sedation.

🎆 Fireworks Tip 3🎆If you feel that your horse, pony or donkey struggles significantly with fireworks then sedation and/o...
04/10/2026

🎆 Fireworks Tip 3🎆

If you feel that your horse, pony or donkey struggles significantly with fireworks then sedation and/or anti-anxiety medication can be used. The medication we would normally prescribe in this incidence would be given by mouth but this does need to be prescribed by a vet.

So if you feel this is something that may be needed or useful then please do give us a ring and our office staff can discuss on the phone with you 📞🐴

We can send this out to you in the post (if the horse has been seen recently) but this will need to be done in plenty of time so it can get to you before fireworks time!

🎆 Firework tip 2 - Bonfire and fire safety 🔥🔥🔥Be aware that bonfires and fireworks can pose a serious fire risk both to ...
03/10/2026

🎆 Firework tip 2 - Bonfire and fire safety 🔥🔥🔥

Be aware that bonfires and fireworks can pose a serious fire risk both to barns but also to hay/straw that may be stored. Sparks can easily cause serious fires which can have devastating and potentially fatal consequences.

Planning where bonfires and fireworks are occurring can make a huge difference in preventing accidental fires from occurring. Warning event organisers if there are barns or hay/straw stored near can help minimise the risk also.

Having fire safety plans in place if the unimaginable does happen also can make a huge difference - especially with regard to ensuring horses are able to be removed from stables to a safe environment.

🎆 Now it is October, it will be firework season very soon so getting prepared is really important to make the time as st...
02/10/2026

🎆 Now it is October, it will be firework season very soon so getting prepared is really important to make the time as stress-free for everyone as possible 🎆

We will be sharing some hints and tips over the next few days on how to make firework season as calm as possible.

Our first tip is to find out if there are any firework events planned in your local area and when these will be. Knowing if there are events can help you prepare yourself and your horse and donkey around this, such as:

🎇 preparing a safe environment

🎇 using sedation if needed

🎇 using distraction techniques such as food/treats or music

🎇 if you are worried that your horse may injure themselves or the stress cause colic signs then ensuring you can be at the yard or to be able to regularly check through the evening

🎇 warning event organisers where horses are located/housed so that they can then plan the event accordingly

Great autumn reminder from everyone at Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance about sycamore and atypical myopathy - for...
01/10/2026

Great autumn reminder from everyone at Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance about sycamore and atypical myopathy - for more information take a look at the shared post!

Address

Kenniford Farm, Clyst Street Mary
Exeter
EX51AQ

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+441392793600

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