Little Rock Equine Vets

22/10/2026

Worms, Wormers and Colic… What a Lovely Combination!

Ahhh, autumn… just when we thought we'd escaped the joys of that hot, dry summer!

One thing we've noticed at Little Rock over the past few weeks is higher worm egg counts in some of our horses. With grazing having been so short this summer, horses have been nibbling much closer to the ground and potentially picking up more worm larvae along the way.

We've also seen an increase in colic cases following worming, particularly where owners have wormed without checking their horse's worm egg count first.

Now, we're certainly not saying wormers are bad! They're an important part of parasite control. But worming a horse carrying a significant worm burden can occasionally lead to complications, including colic.

So please, before reaching for that wormer, get a worm egg count done first!

It helps us work out whether treatment is needed and, if it is, how best to approach it. Remember, worm egg counts don't detect every parasite, so they're just one part of a sensible worming programme.

A little planning now could save an awful lot of worry later.

And let's face it… nobody wants a colic at 10 o'clock on a wet autumn evening if we can possibly avoid it!

Not sure when to test or worm? Give the gang at Little Rock a call on **01782 898102**. We're always happy to help.

20/10/2026

Muddy fields, darker evenings and those pesky little helicopters EVERYWHERE! Ahhh, autumn… don't we just love it?!

But those little sycamore seeds are something we do need to keep an eye on when it comes to our horses. Atypical myopathy (sycamore poisoning) is a serious condition, but knowing what to look for and how to manage your grazing can make a real difference.

So, do you know what to look out for? And have you checked your fields lately?

We've put together a handy blog with some practical advice to help keep your horses safe.

Pop the kettle on and have a read of our blogs on our website

15/10/2026

Another cracking week for our Lil Rockers!

From clipping and mastering those tricky sideways movements to getting out competing and making the most of the last of the autumn sunshine!

Our Brand Ambassadors have certainly been keeping busy, and we love seeing what they've all been up to!

What have you and your four-legged friends been getting up to this week? Drop us a comment or a photo below!

13/10/2026

From go-karts to glad rags… what a weekend!

Well, we've had a cracking weekend at Little Rock!

We kicked things off with the wonderful Staffordshire Farriers, who invited us along to Tamworth to unleash our inner Formula One drivers!

Thanks so much for inviting us, guys. We had some brilliant craic and plenty of laughs… although Shelley's first racing suit was big enough to fit two of her in!

Then it was a quick change out of the racing gear and into something a little more glamorous for the "Cancer My Arse" charity ball!

What a fabulous evening, and all in aid of raising money for a local cause close to so many people's hearts. It was lovely to see the whole Little Rock team together, out of their work clothes and letting their hair down for a change!

One of the things we're really proud of at Little Rock is being part of our local community. We're an independent, local business ourselves, and we know just how much it means when people turn up and support one another. Whether that's working alongside our fantastic local farriers, supporting charity fundraisers or simply being there when someone needs a hand, it's something that really matters to us.

A huge thank you to everyone who put so much effort into organising the ball. We had a wonderful evening, and it was a pleasure to support such a worthwhile cause.

And who knew Team Little Rock could scrub up so well?!

11/10/2026

Ahhh autumn… 🍂 Dark nights, "slippery when wet" and evenings that sound like World War I in the trenches. 💥🙈

Fireworks aren’t going anywhere, so a little planning can make a BIG difference to keeping your horse — and yourself — safe.

- In or out?
- Background noise?
- Got a horse who REALLY struggles?

Don’t wait until they’re climbing the walls to make a plan!

Read our fireworks guide:
https://littlerockequinevets.co.uk/horses-and-fireworks-how-to-keep-your-horse-safe-on-bonfire-night/

If you need to talk, we are always here on 01782 898102

07/10/2026

The nights might be drawing in… but our Little Rock Brand Ambassadors are certainly not slowing down!

They’re still out there having an absolute whale of a time, making memories, enjoying their horses and reminding us exactly why we do all of this in the first place.

Because it’s not always about rosettes, results or getting everything perfect…

Sometimes it’s simply about getting out there and having fun with your horse.

And judging by this lot… there’s plenty of that going on!

Keep doing what you’re doing, guys — we absolutely LOVE seeing your adventures.

05/10/2026

🎆 Ahhh autumn… lovely isn’t it?!

The nights are drawing in, the fields are getting muddier by the minute… and before long, our peaceful evenings will occasionally sound like someone has started a small war in the next village.

Yep… firework season is nearly upon us.

For some horses, they couldn’t care less. For others, that first unexpected BANG can turn your normally sensible cob into something resembling a giraffe on springs.

So… do you bring them in? Leave them out? Turn the radio up? Change their routine? And what can you do if you already know your horse really struggles?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, because horses are horses… and they certainly haven’t read the rule book.
So we’ve popped together a little blog with our thoughts on getting through firework season as safely — and hopefully as uneventfully — as possible.

Grab a cuppa and have a read

https://littlerockequinevets.co.uk/horses-and-fireworks-how-to-keep-your-horse-safe-on-bonfire-night/

And if you’ve got a horse who finds fireworks particularly difficult, have a chat with us before the fireworks start rather than waiting until you’re both climbing the walls!

Worried about your horse and fireworks this Bonfire Night? Our equine vets share practical tips on stabling, background noise, calmers and yard safety.

04/10/2026

It might still be warm outside… but here at Little Rock, we’re already thinking about CALENDARS!

Yep… it’s nearly that time of year again!

We’re starting to put together our Little Rock Charity Calendar, and we want YOU guys to be part of it!

We want to see the highs, the lows, the downright hilarious and everything in between from life with your horses.

- That photo you’re ridiculously proud of
-️ That moment that definitely wasn’t meant to happen
- The photo that makes you laugh every time you see it
- Or simply a picture that means the absolute world to you

Basically… if it sums up life with horses, we want to see it!

So, Lil Rockers… raid those camera rolls and POST YOUR PHOTOS BELOW!

You never know… your horse (or pony!) might just find themselves starring in the Little Rock Charity Calendar!

23/09/2026

It’s Brand Ambassador time again!!!!!

One of the things we LOVE about our Little Rock Brand Ambassadors is that it isn’t all rosettes, competitions and pretty pictures — it’s real horses, real life and all the things that come with keeping them happy and healthy.

And a big thank you, as always, to our fabulous for sharing the reality of life with horses with us. 💚

21/09/2026

Right… who’s got a horse currently trying to lose weight and as a consequence is surviving on three blades of grass and a mouthful of mud?! Because at this time of year, when the fields are trying to flush after the summer and the grass is disappearing down their throats faster than it is growing! Some of them seem absolutely determined to graze down to Australia.

And the problem is, they’re not just eating the grass… They’re eating the soil along with it.

Have a watch of this little video because it gives you a really good idea of what we mean when we talk about sand and soil accumulating in the gut.

A little bit of soil going through isn't generally a drama. The problem comes when they keep taking it in, day after day, particularly when they're grazing very short, poached paddocks or eating hay straight off muddy ground. Eventually, enough can accumulate to cause gut irritation, diarrhoea and, in some horses, a rather unpleasant sand impaction colic.

And trust us… we'd rather NOT come and see you for one of those!

So as we head into autumn, just have a think about where your horse is eating.

- If you're feeding hay in the field, try not to chuck it straight onto the ground
- Use mats, feeders or haynets where you can
- Be particularly careful if they're spending hours nibbling at very short grazing
- Feed psyllium if you are sandy or gritty soil
- And if you've got recurrent loose droppings, mild colics, weight loss or something just isn't quite right — don't ignore it

We're not trying to frighten everyone into thinking their horse is full of sand.
It's just one of those really simple things that we can all be a bit more aware of as the weather changes.

Because, as always, we'd much rather help you prevent the problem than turn up in the middle of the night to fix it!

If you're worried or want some advice, give us a bell on 01782 898102