Starling Equine Vets

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Starling Equine Vets We are a friendly, independent equine practice based in Nacton, Ipswich. We hope to build a caring, successful team with you and the horse at the center.

On 30th September, Grace, Mollie & Talia had the privilege of joining for their Education and Welfare Castration Clini...
06/10/2026

On 30th September, Grace, Mollie & Talia had the privilege of joining for their Education and Welfare Castration Clinic in Hitchin 💚

This was Grace's 8th clinic, 4th as Lead Vet, Mollie's 2nd, and Talia's 1st - and it was a fantastic experience for all - with 24 horses attending - 10 castrations and 16 microchips and passports 💚

Coordinated by the British Horse Society, and with practical support from a number of other equine welfare charities, these clinics provide dental care, farriery, microchipping and passporting for horses identified to be in need, as well as castration and dental checks if required. A total of 1268 horses have now been castrated through this initiative.

As always, our team loved being part of something so special.

If you'd like to find out more about the BEVA Trust's work visit www.beva.org.uk/BEVA-Trust

And if you'd like to volunteer for the BEVA Trust please contact Leaya Slater [email protected] 💚

4 years after meeting her first Suffolk Punch, Susie found herself back in her happy place alongside this gorgeous breed...
28/09/2026

4 years after meeting her first Suffolk Punch, Susie found herself back in her happy place alongside this gorgeous breed once again 💚

Her face says it all - her passion to contribute to the future of the Suffolk Punch is fierce and these moments bring her so much happiness 😍

An Owner’s Guide to the Collection of Faeces for a Faecal Worm Egg Count 💚Our simple 5-step guide to collecting faeces f...
11/09/2026

An Owner’s Guide to the Collection of Faeces for a Faecal Worm Egg Count 💚

Our simple 5-step guide to collecting faeces for us to carry out an accurate faecal worm egg count helps you ensure you get the full, accurate picture first time.

As with anything to do with your horse and their health, if you have any questions at all - simply get in touch with our team on 01473 970 393 or [email protected] 💚

🐴 SAND COLIC: Could your horse be at risk?Sand colic can occur when horses ingest sand or soil while grazing or eating. ...
04/09/2026

🐴 SAND COLIC: Could your horse be at risk?

Sand colic can occur when horses ingest sand or soil while grazing or eating. Over time, sand can accumulate within the gastrointestinal tract and cause irritation, digestive problems and potentially colic.

⚠️ Signs to look out for can include:
• Mild or recurring abdominal pain
• Loose droppings or diarrhoea
• Passing fewer droppings
• Pawing or rolling
• Looking at or kicking the belly
• Reduced appetite
• Weight loss
• Curling the upper lip

Horses may be at greater risk if they’re grazing very short grass on sandy ground or eating hay or feed directly from bare surfaces.

💡 You can help reduce the risk by:
✓ Feeding from buckets, mangers, feeders or rubber matting rather than bare ground
✓ Avoiding overgrazing
✓ Providing plenty of forage
✓ Keeping salt blocks off the ground
✓ Discussing psyllium supplementation with your vet if your horse may be at increased risk

If sand accumulation is suspected, your vet can assess your horse and may recommend further investigation, including abdominal X-rays.

📞 Remember: colic should always be taken seriously. If your horse is showing signs of abdominal pain, contact your vet promptly.

As the extreme hot weather subsides, and we start to see a little rain, you may notice that the grass is getting greener...
03/09/2026

As the extreme hot weather subsides, and we start to see a little rain, you may notice that the grass is getting greener again. This increases the risk of laminitis, so we want to give you a quick rundown on what to look out for and when it’s time to give us a call 📞

The majority of laminitis cases are caused by an underlying hormonal disease, leading to insulin resistance, but the cooler nights and milder days means grass growth increases, meaning that previously concealed or well managed hormonal problems can destabilise.

Now is a great time to review your horse’s weight and fat distribution to ensure you are aware of how well they are doing.

Symptoms of laminitis include:
▪️Standing leaning backwards
▪️Reluctance to walk on hard surfaces
▪️Choppy walking
▪️Bounding digital pulses
▪️Increased respiratory rate
▪️Pointing one toe

This X-ray shows a hind foot with severe rotation caused by laminitis, the red lines show the degree of rotation, while the purple line shows the distance between the sole and pedal bone.

Laminitis is an emergency and requires the combination of appropriate pain relief, environmental changes, addressing underlying hormonal problems and a collaborative approach between your vet and farrier.

Prompt and clear communication can help prevent further rotation or sinking and can save your horse’s life.

Please have a look at our information sheets for more comprehensive information, both on laminitis and the underlying hormonal diseases - these can be found on our website under Information Sheets or on our blog.

If you are a member of our Health Club you’ll find a weigh tape in your intro pack - if you’d like help on how to use this please do just reach out 💚

If you’d like more information on our Health Club, visit our link in bio 💚

🐴 WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOUR MARE IS FOALINGKnowing what is normal and when to call your vet can make all the difference.S...
02/09/2026

🐴 WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOUR MARE IS FOALING

Knowing what is normal and when to call your vet can make all the difference.

SIGNS FOALING MAY BE APPROACHING ‼️

⚠️ Swelling beneath the abdomen
⚠️ Waxing up
⚠️ Increased udder development
⚠️ Elongation of the v***a
⚠️ Relaxation around the tail

Changes in milk electrolytes and pH can also help predict foaling, as these often occur 24–72 hours beforehand.

⏰ STAGE ONE: LESS THAN 12 HOURS

Your mare may become restless, look towards her flanks, sweat or repeatedly get up and down. During this stage, the foal moves into the correct position.

⏰ STAGE TWO: LESS THAN 30 MINUTES

This begins when the mare’s waters break. Strong contractions follow, and the foal’s front feet should appear within approximately five minutes. The foal should be delivered within 20–30 minutes.

🚨 CALL YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY IF:

❗ A bright red membrane appears first
❗ The feet do not appear within five minutes
❗ The foal is not delivered within 20–30 minutes
❗ You see only the head or one foot
❗ The feet are pointing upwards

⏰ STAGE THREE: THE PLACENTA

The placenta should pass within three hours.

Once the mare is standing, the hanging placenta can be tied up around hock level to prevent her stepping on it. Never pull it or attach additional weight, as this could cause serious injury.

Keep the passed placenta intact in a covered bucket for your vet to inspect.

🚨 CALL YOUR VET IF:

❗ The placenta has not passed within three hours
❗ It appears incomplete
❗ Your mare shows abdominal pain
❗ She is not herself or is not eating
❗ Her temperature is above 38.3°C

Remember the foaling 1–2–3 rule:

🐴 Stand within ONE hour
🐴 Nurse within TWO hours
🐴 Placenta passed within THREE hours

If you are concerned at any stage, call your vet immediately. It is always better to call early.

🐴 Meet Susie – the newest member of the Starling Equine Vets team!Susie graduated from the Universidad Complutense de Ma...
24/08/2026

🐴 Meet Susie – the newest member of the Starling Equine Vets team!

Susie graduated from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid in 2011 and has since gained extensive equine veterinary experience across Spain, the Netherlands and England.

With a strong background and particular passion for equine reproduction and stud medicine, Susie will be an invaluable source of knowledge and support for our clients and their breeding programmes.

She also has a very special affection for the Suffolk Punch, having first fallen in love with the breed while working with Bruce at Thorpeley Irish Draught and Rare Breed Stud in Lincolnshire. Moving to Suffolk has given Susie the exciting opportunity to work more closely with this remarkable native breed and contribute to its future through responsible breeding.

Alongside reproduction, Susie particularly enjoys equine medicine, wound repair, colic cases and dentistry - essentially, anything that helps keep your horse healthy, comfortable and safe.

When she isn’t working, Susie loves horse riding and exploring the countryside with her loyal companion, Brownie.

We’re delighted to welcome Susie to Starling Equine Vets. Please join us in giving her a very warm welcome! 💚

🌳 Important advice: oak trees and acorn toxicity 🌳Acorns usually become a concern between September and November, but we...
19/08/2026

🌳 Important advice: oak trees and acorn toxicity 🌳

Acorns usually become a concern between September and November, but we have noticed them starting to fall earlier this year. With grazing becoming increasingly sparse, horses may also be more likely to eat fallen acorns, leaves and other plants they would normally avoid.

⚠️ Signs of acorn poisoning can include:
* Colic or abdominal discomfort
* Lethargy, depression or changes in behaviour
* Reduced appetite
* Increased lying down
* Mouth ulcers
* Acorn husks in the droppings
* Dehydration
* Constipation followed by dark or bloody diarrhoea
* Straining to urinate or red-brown urine

To reduce the risk:

* Fence off oak trees and the surrounding area
* Clear fallen acorns and branches regularly
* Provide sufficient good-quality forage, particularly where grazing is limited
* Check fields carefully before turning horses out
* Avoid using affected areas until the acorns have been cleared and the trees have stopped dropping

For more information on acorn toxicity, read our latest blog post - head to our link in bio.

If you suspect your horse has eaten acorns or they develop colic, diarrhoea, lethargy or signs of dehydration, please call us straight away.

Acorn poisoning can progress quickly, and prompt veterinary attention provides the best chance of recovery.

Please share this post to help other horse owners stay alert. 🐴

When does lameness become an equine emergency?With lameness, it's always better to be safe. Contact your vet promptly if...
14/08/2026

When does lameness become an equine emergency?

With lameness, it's always better to be safe. Contact your vet promptly if your horse:

🐴 Is severely lame
🐴 Cannot bear weight
🐴 Has marked heat or swelling
🐴 Has sustained an injury
🐴 Shows signs of laminitis.

Keep the horse as still and comfortable as possible while awaiting veterinary advice 💚

Address

Ipswich
IP100EU

Opening Hours

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

Telephone

+441473970393

Website

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