Matamata Veterinary Services - Equine

23/10/2026

Come and ride in our new arena — free of charge! 🐴

Our new arena is finished, and now it needs some hooves on it! A new surface needs regular work to settle and firm up, and the best way to do that is to have horses using it.

We’re inviting our clients to book the arena for free outside of business hours on weekdays and weekends. It’s a great spot for flatwork, a schooling session or getting a young horse out somewhere new, and you’ll be helping us get the surface ready for our ridden lameness assessments.

How to book
Call us on 07 888 8193 or email [email protected] to book a time slot. You must book before you come. Please no casual drop-ins without booking. We will not be taking bookings on social media.

Basic Arena rules
🔹 Approved helmets must be worn when riding, and closed-toe footwear at all times
🔹 Riders must have a second person present on the grounds, solo use is not allowed
🔹 Please use the whole arena to help work in the surface evenly
🔹 Pick up any manure before it gets mixed into the arena surface
🔹 Park and unload only where directed, and keep all gates closed
Three covered yards adjacent to the arena are available for tacking up, yarding a second horse etc
🔹 No dogs please
🔹 Please be courteous and keep noise down, as this is a working hospital with patients in neighbouring buildings
🔹 All riding is at your own risk, and riders will need to sign a use agreement before their first session
We look forward to seeing you out here!

14/10/2026

Our new arena is finished! 🐴
We're excited to share that our new purpose-built arena for ridden lameness assessments is now complete.
Some equine performance issues only show up under saddle. A horse can look sound in-hand, then show subtle changes once a rider is on board. Having a dedicated ridden space means our vets can evaluate your horse working the way it normally does, which gives us a much clearer picture of what's going on.

The arena will be used for:
✅ Ridden lameness work-ups; assessing your horse at all gaits, plus jumping if needed

✅ Watching the response to diagnostic nerve blocks under saddle, to help pinpoint where the pain is coming from

✅ Assessing other poor performance and behaviour problems that may have an underlying physical cause

✅ Conducting exercise testing with full cardiac and respiratory assessments; including heart scans, overground dynamic scoping and investigating muscle disorders

✅ Prepurchase vettings, including ridden exercise stages

✅ The consistent, well-maintained surface means we can compare your horse's way of going from one visit to the next on the same footing, as well as on our rubber and asphalted trot-up strips and lunging ring

✅ Follow-up ridden assessments to track progress through treatment and rehabilitation

✅ Observation under the eye of our experienced Equine Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Specialist

If your horse isn't feeling quite right under saddle, give the team a call on 07 888 8193 to book an assessment.

03/07/2026

Important Industry Update

NZTR and the NZTBA are continuing to closely monitor the current Strangles situation.

03/07/2026

MVS Equine – A Bit of Change at the Clinic 🐴🔧

We're excited to let you know that renovations are underway at MVS Equine! While we spruce things up, there'll be a few temporary changes around the clinic.

📍 Reception has moved upstairs temporarily

🚪 The front door will be closed – please call us when you arrive and someone will come help you (07) 888 8193

⏳ Things may take a little longer than usual, so thanks in advance for your patience

📞 Need supplies? Give us a call ahead of time so we can have everything sorted for you

It's business as usual otherwise – our team is still here and ready to help, just with a slightly different setup while the work is being done.
Thanks for bearing with us during this exciting upgrade – we can't wait to show you the finished result!

25/06/2026

16/06/2026

Yard Hand Role Available

MVS Equine requires a fixed-term, full-time (30+hrs per week) yard hand for the equine breeding season (mid Aug 2026 - mid January 2027) to be based at our busy, purpose-built Equine Veterinary Hospital in Matamata. Hours to be discussed with applicants but a 7:00-7:30am start will be required.

To be successful in this role you’ll need:
Excellent horse handling skills and stable management/ground maintenance skills;
To be an energetic team player with a ‘can do’ attitude;
To show empathy and provide a supportive role in the care and welfare of the horses seen in our practice;
To deliver a consistent standard of excellence in service to our clientele;
To be flexible enough with your time to participate in a rotating weekend roster as required.

The successful applicant must at all times aspire to excel in his/her work as a skilled professional as well as in the level of service we offer to our clients. Preference will be given to those candidates who have the skills we are looking for and previous experience reflecting quality care and service.

MVS Equine strives to provide a supportive environment aiming to challenge and encourage team members to achieve goals and personal job satisfaction. If you enjoy working in a friendly environment with a positive, proactive and committed team that strives to be the best, then we want to hear from you.

Applicants must already have an NZ work visa or be NZ citizens/residents.

Please send your cover letter and CV through to [email protected] asap, applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

11/06/2026

Thanks to the NZERF and Rodmor Charitable Trust