The Barn Equine Surgery

07/06/2026

🐎Martin is looking forward to Tuesday at Salisbury Racecourse, if you haven't got your tickets yet, you can get them here: https://www.salisburyracecourse.co.uk/

One of the oldest horseracing courses in Britain, Salisbury Racecourse remains a top racing venue in the flat racing scene hosting 15 meetings in 2024. It is also a popular conference centre boasting multiple rooms sizes and ample free parking.

06/06/2026

‼️ How is Equine Influenza Spread ‼️

🐴 Three forms of viral spread.

1️⃣ Airborne: Infected horses release viral particles by coughing. These particles can travel through the air, and in favorable weather conditions, spread up to several kilometers.

2️⃣ Direct contact: Nose-to-nose contact between an infected horse and a healthy one.

3️⃣ Indirect contact (fomites): The virus can persist on surfaces for up to 48 hours. It is commonly spread via contaminated hands, clothing, grooming brushes, tack, shared water troughs, and horse transport.

🧼 It is easily killed with soap and water or disinfectant solutions. It is also killed by exposure to sunlight ☀️

📆 The virus incubation period can be as short as 1 to 3 days and infected animals can begin shedding the virus before showing obvious symptoms.

💉 If your horse is vaccinated and becomes exposed to Equine Influenza the clinical symptoms will be much less severe, they will get better much quicker and will spread less of the virus to their herd mates or neighbours 🐎

05/06/2026

🎉 It’s the weekend. We hope you all have a lovely trouble free weekend.

ℹ️ If you do find yourself needing us this weekend, Nenad is duty vet and SJ is duty nurse.

☎️ Do not hesitate to call us on 01202 823512.

05/06/2026

‼️ Diagnosis of Equine Influenza

❓Did you know that we can test for Equine Influenza in our on site laboratory at The Barn Equine Surgery?

🦠 If your horse is exhibiting any symptoms of Influenza such as a high temperature (>38.8C), cough, nasal discharge, enlarged glands, conjunctivitis, reduced appetite and filling of the lower limbs then please do let us know.

ℹ️ A nasopharyngeal swab will be collected and analysed, with rapid same day results using our Enalees LAMP PCR machine.

💉 If your horse has not received an Equine Influenza vaccination within the last 6 months we would advise a booster vaccination is now performed for best protection during the current outbreak.

04/06/2026

‼️ Equine Influenza Key Facts ‼️

ℹ️ Equine Influenza is a viral infection.

ℹ️ Signs usually appear 1-5 days after exposure.

ℹ️ Symptoms can last 3-6 weeks.

ℹ️ Symptoms include high temperature (>38.8C), cough, nasal discharge, enlarged glands, conjunctivitis, reduced appetite and filling of the lower limbs.

ℹ️ Young and elderly animals are most vulnerable.

ℹ️ Horses with Equine Asthma and Cushing’s Disease are more likely to develop secondary complications if they contract influenza.

ℹ️ Horses that mix frequently with other horses at competitions, livery yards or equestrian events are at higher risk of contracting influenza.

ℹ️ If your horse is in one of the higher risk categories and has not received an influenza vaccination within the last 6 months we would recommend a booster is now performed.

☎️ Please do not hesitate to call us on 01202 823512 if you have any concerns.

03/06/2026

⭐ We would like to introduce and welcome our new team member Cassidy.

ℹ️ Cassidy has joined our nursing team as nursing auxilary groom, so will be assisting our fabulous nurses.

🤩 Cassidy has spent many years around horses, working on showjumping and event yards, also breaking and producing youngsters. Cassisdy loves competing showjumping with her own horse Ellie.

📸 In her free time Cassidy enjoys walking and running, riding her own horse and is a keen photographer.

Welcome to the Team.

03/06/2026

😷 Update on the current Equine Influenza Outbreak.

🦠 74 UK Outbreaks have now been reported to the Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance Unit since March 29th 2026

🦠 Outbreaks have been reported in Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset within the last week.

🦠 The New Forest Verderers have confirmed that Equine Influenza has been diagnosed in a Forest run pony.

🦠 If your horse has not received an Equine Influenza vaccination within the last 6 months we would advise a booster vaccination is now performed for best protection.

30/05/2026

⭐ Happy 4 year work anniversary to our very own Charlie.

🥰 Wow what a full 4 years it has been with so many achievements.
Well done Charlie we are very lucky to have you as part of our team.

29/05/2026

🥵 We hope you and your four legged friends have survived the scorching hot week we have had. That was a little extreme for all us.

ℹ️ With a somewhat cooler weekend ahead, we have Helen as duty vet and Rachel as duty nurse here for you.

☎️ Please do not hesitate to contact us on 01202 823512

28/05/2026

ℹ️ Did you know we hold a weekly dental clinic here at the practice EVERY Thursday. All our vets are fully qualified to do routine dentals. We also now have Charlie RVN BAEDT who will be taking bookings. So no need to wait long for the next clinic!

☎️ Please call us on 01202 823512 to get booked in.