Nova Equine Vets

08/09/2026

🔍 Spotting the Signs of Laminitis Early

Laminitis can start subtly, and catching it early makes a real difference. Keep an eye out for:

Subtle early signs:
🐴 Footiness, especially on stony or hard ground
🐴 Being more careful, hesitant, or reluctant to walk on firm surfaces
🐴 A shorter, more pottery stride than usual

More severe signs:
🚫 Reluctance to move or obvious lameness
😖 Soreness when turning
Leaning back onto the heels to take weight off the front of the feet

One really useful skill every owner can learn is checking your horse's digital pulses at the back of the fetlock. A strong, bounding pulse can be an early warning sign of laminitis. Here's a helpful video showing how to check for yourself: https://youtu.be/3POadsAyf4c

Not sure you're finding the right spot? Just ask us on our next visit, we'll gladly show you how to find your horse's digital pulse.

If you notice any of these signs, please don't wait, laminitis is always considered an emergency, call us straight away.

Working together with you, our team at Nova is here to offer free advice on laminitis and what to look out for.

📞 01737 246109 | 💬 07576 402651 | 🌐 novaequinevets.co.uk

Nova offers modern, compassionate equine care with 24/7 emergency cover and advanced mobile equipment, plus strong links with referral hospitals and consultants — all with the personal touch of an independent practice.

03/09/2026

🩸 Know Your Horse's Laminitis Risk: Blood Testing for EMS and PPID

Did you know that most laminitis cases are linked to an underlying hormonal issue, most commonly insulin dysregulation (part of Equine Metabolic Syndrome) or PPID (sometimes known as Cushing's)? Both of these conditions can quietly increase a horse's laminitis risk, often without any obvious symptoms until a laminitic episode strikes.

A simple blood test can help assess this risk before it becomes a problem. Testing might be especially worthwhile if your horse or pony is:

🐴 A good doer or carrying extra weight
🐎 A native breed or pony
🎂 Over 15 years old
🦶 Struggles with footiness on hard ground or intermittent lameness
⚠️ Previously had laminitis

The good news is testing gives us the information we need to put a preventative plan in place, tailored to your horse, covering diet, turnout, and management, and medication where it's warranted, for example PPID (Cushing's) treatment or cases of significant insulin dysregulation.

💷 A quick word on cost: the most cost effective way to test is to book it on a zone day or nurse visit. If you test in September or October and your horse hasn't had a PPID (Cushing's) test in the last 12 months, they'll qualify for free PPID lab fees, saving around £50. Testing for both insulin dysregulation and PPID is £67.90 plus the visit fee.

Every horse is different, so if you're not sure whether testing is right for yours, we're always happy to talk it through with you.

If your horse is showing any signs of footiness or discomfort, please don't wait, laminitis is always considered an emergency, call us straight away.

Working together with you, our team at Nova is here to offer free advice on laminitis risk and blood testing.

📞 01737 246109 | 💬 07576 402651 | 🌐

Nova offers modern, compassionate equine care with 24/7 emergency cover and advanced mobile equipment, plus strong links with referral hospitals and consultants — all with the personal touch of an independent practice.

31/08/2026

🐴⚠️ Laminitis Warning: High Risk After Rain

After such a long, dry, sunny spell, our pastures have been under real stress. Now that we've had rain, that grass is going to bounce back and grow quickly, and it's likely to be higher in sugars as it does. For horses and ponies prone to laminitis, this kind of rapid regrowth is exactly the sort of change that can tip the balance.

If your horse or pony is already at risk, now is a good time to think about turnout. That might mean:

🌱 Reducing time out on fresh growth
😷 Using a grazing muzzle
🌅 Grazing overnight or in the early morning, when sugar levels are lowest, rather than in the afternoon when they peak
🚧 Moving to a track or non grassy turnout area (eg wood chip) for a while

Every horse is different, so if you're not sure what's right for yours, we're always happy to talk it through with you.

If your horse is showing any signs of footiness or discomfort, please don't wait, laminitis is always considered an emergency, call us straight away.

Working together with you, our team at Nova is here to offer free advice on managing your horse or pony’s laminitis risk.

📞 01737 246109 | 💬 07576 402651 | 🌐

Nova offers modern, compassionate equine care with 24/7 emergency cover and advanced mobile equipment, plus strong links with referral hospitals and consultants — all with the personal touch of an independent practice.

05/08/2026

🫁 Is your horse struggling to breathe this summer?

With the hot, dry conditions we've been seeing across Surrey, Sussex and Kent, we're treating more horses with equine asthma than usual right now. Many owners aren't sure what they're looking at until it's quite advanced.

Equine asthma is an inflammatory allergy type condition of the airways triggered by dust, pollen and fungal spores. In summer, it often flares up due to high pollen counts and dry, dusty conditions.

Signs to watch for:

🫁 Coughing - especially at the start of exercise, or persistently at rest
👃 Nasal discharge
😮‍💨 Increased breathing rate or visible effort when breathing
📉 Reduced performance or early fatigue under saddle
💪 A visible "heave line" - a ridge of muscle along the abdomen that develops when a horse is working harder to breathe
😮 Flared nostrils at rest

When to get in touch with us:

If your horse is coughing regularly, showing nasal discharge at rest, or you can see any effort in their breathing, please don't wait. Equine asthma is manageable, but the earlier we see it, the easier it is to treat and the lower the risk of ongoing problems.

If your horse is struggling to breathe at rest, that's an emergency, call us straight away

📞 01737 246109 | 💬 07576 402651 | 🌐 novaequinevets.co.uk

16/07/2026

👁️ Don't ignore a sore eye this summer

With flies at their worst right now, we're seeing more horses with eye problems.

The most common issue this time of year is conjunctivitis - caused by flies landing on and around the eye, along with dust and airborne irritants. Signs to watch for:

😑 Swollen or half-closed eyelid
💧 Weeping, discharge or tear staining
🔴 Redness or swollen membranes around the eye

Conjunctivitis is very treatable when caught early. But a sore, weeping eye can also be a sign of something more serious, including corneal ulcers or uveitis, which is inflammation inside the eye itself. These both need treating as an emergency.

The simple rule: if your horse's eye doesn't look right, get in touch with us the same day. Eyes are not something to wait and see on.

In the meantime, a well-fitted fly mask is one of the best things you can do to protect your horse's eyes through the rest of summer 🐴

📞 01737 246109 | 💬 07576 402651 | 🌐 novaequinevets.co.uk

06/07/2026

Have you booked your ticket for Margo's rescheduled talk on Thursday in partnership with Headley Heath Riders Association

Very sadly we have had to postpone out talk tomorrow due to the heat. We have rescheduled for 9th July at 7pm. Everyone that has already bought tickets will be contacted to decide what they would like to do. Stay safe in the heat all 🙏

03/07/2026

🐴 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝘂 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗶𝗿𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄 — 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱?

This year has seen a significant rise in equine influenza cases across the UK. Since 1 April, 177 laboratory-confirmed outbreaks have been recorded in Britain — and with summer shows in full swing, the risk remains real.

Today's EIDS update does offer some cautious optimism — despite large horse gatherings over recent weeks, there hasn't been the expected rise in new outbreaks. The equestrian community is doing well to limit the spread, but vigilance remains essential.

According to British Equestrian, only around 40% of the UK equine population is currently vaccinated against flu. Vaccination is one of the most effective tools we have to protect your horse, and the horses around them.

If your horse hasn't had a flu booster in 2026, we'd recommend booking one now.
A few things worth planning around:
— Flu spreads through the air, so even horses who don't travel can be at risk if yard companions do
— Many shows are now turning horses away without up-to-date vaccination records
— 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝟳 𝗱𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘀𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱

Not sure when your horse was last vaccinated? Check your passport or whatsapp us

📞 01737 246109
💬 07576 402651
🌐 novaequinevets.co.uk

29/06/2026

🐴 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝘀𝘁𝗵𝗺𝗮 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁: 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗙𝗼𝗿 🌬️

With the recent shift in weather, we're seeing more horses coming in with asthma-like symptoms — and we want to help you catch the early signs at home.

🔍 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘆𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿

💨 Increased breathing rate
🎵 Wheezing
👃 Flared nostrils
〜 Heaving (a visible "double lift" at the end of breathing out)
😮‍💨 Increased effort to breathe — try watching one full breath in and out
🤧 Coughing
💧 Nasal discharge

Equine asthma can range from mild to severe, and symptoms often creep up gradually — so if something feels "a bit off" with your horse's breathing, trust your instincts.

🌡️ Weather changes, dust, mould spores, pollen, and changes in turnout/stabling routine can all be triggers, which is why we tend to see more cases around now.

📞 If you've spotted any of these signs, get in touch with us — early management makes a real difference to your horse's comfort and long-term respiratory health. We're always happy to come out and take a look together.

👉 𝗧𝗮𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀, 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽 𝘂𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲'𝘀 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴

24/06/2026

Very sadly we have had to postpone out talk tomorrow due to the heat. We have rescheduled for 9th July at 7pm. Everyone that has already bought tickets will be contacted to decide what they would like to do. Stay safe in the heat all 🙏

24/06/2026

We're beyond proud to announce that Nova Equine Vets has won the BestUKVets Award for Best in Equine 2026 🎉

This means so much to every single one of us. It's a reflection of the hard work, dedication and genuine care this team brings to every yard, every visit, and every horse — and it wouldn't have been possible without you, our incredible clients.

Thank you for trusting us with your horses. This award belongs to all of us. 🐴🏆

Here's to many more years of caring for the horses (and people!) of Surrey, West Sussex, West Kent and beyond.

BestUKVets Awards