Penbode Equine Vets

17/09/2026

⭐️⭐️limited spaces left⭐️⭐️

If you think your horse may be suitable, call us on 01409 255549 to see how we can help 🦸

Penbode Equine Vets - Tavistock

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🫟OUR NEXT GASTROSCOPY CLINIC 🫟
23rd September 2026 | Penbode Equine Vets, Holsworthy

Does your horse seem not quite themselves? Poor performance?

· Behavioural changes, reluctance to go forward, irritability, tail swishing, grumpiness/ sensitivity - particularly when rugging, tightening the girth or grooming.

Weight loss?

· Reduced appetite, picky eating, difficulty maintaining condition.

General Health?

· Poor coat quality, dull demeanour, chronic diarrhoea.

Discomfort / Colic?

· Reoccurring low grade colic/ abdominal pain.

If your horse is showing any of the above symptoms, they may be suffering from equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Symptoms can be subtle and mimic other health issues, the only way to definitively diagnose and grade gastric ulcers is through a gastroscope.

Priced at £295 (including sedation) — you save £110! @ Penbode Equine Vets Clinic, Holsworthy. Overnight stabling available for £67.50 (VAT inc)

If you're worried about your horse’s behaviour, performance, or condition, now is the perfect time to get answers and peace of mind.

Call 01409 255549 to book!

01/09/2026

🫟OUR NEXT GASTROSCOPY CLINIC 🫟
23rd September 2026 | Penbode Equine Vets, Holsworthy

Does your horse seem not quite themselves? Poor performance?

· Behavioural changes, reluctance to go forward, irritability, tail swishing, grumpiness/ sensitivity - particularly when rugging, tightening the girth or grooming.

Weight loss?

· Reduced appetite, picky eating, difficulty maintaining condition.

General Health?

· Poor coat quality, dull demeanour, chronic diarrhoea.

Discomfort / Colic?

· Reoccurring low grade colic/ abdominal pain.

If your horse is showing any of the above symptoms, they may be suffering from equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Symptoms can be subtle and mimic other health issues, the only way to definitively diagnose and grade gastric ulcers is through a gastroscope.

Priced at £295 (including sedation) — you save £110! @ Penbode Equine Vets Clinic, Holsworthy. Overnight stabling available for £67.50 (VAT inc)

If you're worried about your horse’s behaviour, performance, or condition, now is the perfect time to get answers and peace of mind.

Call 01409 255549 to book!

29/08/2026

Bank holiday opening hours for Penbode Equine Vets.

Saturday 29th August 2026: Emergency Only
Sunday 30th August 2026: Emergency Only
Monday 31st August 2026: Emergency Only

26/08/2026

🐾 Holsworthy and Stratton Show Tomorrow! 🐾

We're looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces at the Holsworthy and Stratton Show tomorrow!

Please pop by our stand for a chat, a cuppa and a delicious cream tea. We'd love to catch up with you.
See you there

14/08/2026

A SERIOUS ITCH...This horse presented with a wound that initially appeared relatively straightforward. On further exploration, a large hook was found embedded within the tissues.

Once carefully removed, Keesjan thoroughly assessed and lavaged the wound before placing a drain to facilitate drainage and support healing.

A good reminder that wounds can be deceptive, and thorough examination and exploration are important when there is concern about deeper involvement.

13/08/2026

We are at Okehampton Show today, pop on over to our stand for a drink, some cake and a chat

12/08/2026

We are at Camelford Show today, pop on over to our stand for a drink, some cake and a chat.

11/08/2026

🫟OUR NEXT GASTROSCOPY CLINIC 🫟
26th August 2026 | Penbode Equine Vets, Holsworthy

Does your horse seem not quite themselves? Poor performance?

· Behavioural changes, reluctance to go forward, irritability, tail swishing, grumpiness/ sensitivity - particularly when rugging, tightening the girth or grooming.

Weight loss?

· Reduced appetite, picky eating, difficulty maintaining condition.

General Health?

· Poor coat quality, dull demeanour, chronic diarrhoea.

Discomfort / Colic?

· Reoccurring low grade colic/ abdominal pain.

If your horse is showing any of the above symptoms, they may be suffering from equine gastric ulcer syndrome (EGUS). Symptoms can be subtle and mimic other health issues, the only way to definitively diagnose and grade gastric ulcers is through a gastroscopy.

We're hosting another Gastroscopy Clinic with specialist Keesjan Cornelisse DVM, MS, PhD, Dipl.ACVIM, MRCVS.

There is still some availability — but spaces are limited.

Wednesday, 26th August £295 (including sedation) — you save £110! @ Penbode Equine Vets Clinic, Holsworthy Overnight stabling available for £67.50 (VAT inc)

If you're worried about your horse’s behaviour, performance, or condition, now is the perfect time to get answers and peace of mind.

Call 01409 255549 to book!

05/08/2026

DIGITAL PULSES – GETTING IT RIGHT - by Dr Kieran O'Brien MRCVS

- Digital pulses can be felt on EVERY horse, because every horse has an artery running down both the outside and the inside of the fetlock and pastern. If you can’t feel it, it's because a) you’re impatient – the heart rate is half of ours b) you are feeling in the wrong place c) you are pressing too hard or too lightly

- What we are checking in laminitis is the STRENGTH of the pulse, not whether or not it is PRESENT. In a normal horse, it’d quite faint, but it’s there. In laminitis, it becomes stronger and easier to feel

- IMPORTANT - the leg must the fully weight-bearing and under the horse in a normal position. Even slight off-loading (the leg forward, or heel slightly lifted) will diminish the strength of the pulse.

- The EASIEST place to feel it is at each side of the fetlock, not below it. Facing backwards, simply place the fingertips of the hand closest to the horse on each side of the fetlock and roll them slightly backwards and forwards until you feel a little ‘cord’ (the artery, vein and nerve together). Thumb on the outside artery, index finger on the inside. Very light pressure. Feel the pulse on each side of the fetlock.

- Be PATIENT – the horse’s heart rate is half ours – really slow. You should feel it under your fingers both inside and outside the fetlock at the same time. If it’s very faint, it’s normal. If it’s really clear, it's ABNORMAL.

- Ignore the MYTH (extrapolated from humans) that you shouldn’t use your thumb. Every vet uses their thumbs on the outside artery, and the pulse felt there is exactly synchronised with the one felt with the index finger inside (so it's not YOUR pulse!).

- No pulse? You are not on the artery. Move your fingers forward or back until you find it. It’s ALWAYS there. Honest.

- Easily felt and strong? The foot is inflamed, not necessarily laminitic. If it is stronger on one side of the fetlock (e.g., inside) than the other (e.g. outside) usually means the issue is on the stronger side (for example, a localised foot abscess).

- STILL CAN’T FIND IT?? – ask your vet to show next time he or she calls. And have a slice of cake ready to thank them.

Thank you Kieran for allowing us to share.