NCVC Equine

🎉 Time to celebrate and share the little big victories🎉🐴

Our beautiful little friend Lacy has been undergoing monitoring for PPID (equine Cushing’s disease), and her latest ACTH result has come back at 14.3 — a HUGE improvement from her previous result of 329!

We’re absolutely thrilled to see such an encouraging change for this gorgeous girl and her caring owner. We think it’s worth sharing our little patients big victory and her positive story with the world 🐴🎈

⚠️ Horse Choke Cases - We’ve seen an increase in recent cases of horse choke, so it’s a good time to refresh ourselves on simple ways to reduce the risk.

Here are a few prevention tips:
➡️ Feed hay in manageable amounts and consider soaking it if it’s dry or coarse.
➡️ Introduce feed changes gradually.
➡️ Ensure pelleted feeds and beet pulp are prepared according to directions.
➡️ Encourage slower eating by using slow feeders, placing large smooth rocks in feed tubs (where appropriate), or feeding smaller, more frequent meals.
➡️ Make sure your horse always has access to fresh, clean water. Make sure to break the ice in the morning 🧊❄️
➡️ Have your horse’s teeth checked regularly, especially senior horses or those with known dental issues.🦷
➡️ Avoid feeding large treats whole—cut apples and carrots into smaller pieces. 🍎🥕

Signs of choke can include:
🔹 Feed or saliva coming from the nostrils
🔹 Excessive drooling
🔹 Difficulty swallowing
🔹 Repeated coughing or gagging
🔹 Stretching the neck or appearing distressed

If you suspect your horse has choke, remove all feed immediately and contact your veterinarian as soon as possible. While many cases resolve with prompt treatment, choke can lead to serious complications, including aspiration pneumonia.

We are always available on the other end of the phone line to talk things through. So don’t hesitate to call ☎️

Give your horse a winter WOF

As winter settles across North Canterbury, many horses enjoy a quieter season with reduced competition schedules, lighter workloads and many of our farm and station horses are turned out for a deserved break. While it can be tempting to ease off management tasks during the colder months, winter is actually the ideal time to give your horse a thorough "Warrant of Fitness" and ensure they are prepared for a healthy spring and summer ahead.

1. Body condition check - Winter conditions can challenge even the hardiest horses. Assess your horse's body condition regularly by feeling over the ribs, spine, and neck rather than relying on appearance alone beneath a thick winter coat.

2. Dental health - A horse's teeth continue to erupt throughout life, and uneven wear can affect chewing efficiency, feed utilisation, and overall comfort.
Signs your horse may benefit from a dental examination include:
• Dropping feed while eating
• Weight loss
• Quidding (dropping partially chewed feed)
• Head tossing or resistance when ridden

3. Parasite control - Rather than relying solely on routine drenching, faecal egg counts can help determine whether treatment is necessary.

4. Minerals - The main mineral that we consider in horses, especially through winter, is selenium. A simple blood test can tell you whether you need to be giving anything, and like sheep and cattle, it is vital for horses' health.

5. Restock your first aid kit - A quick stocktake of your equine first aid supplies can save valuable time during an emergency. Check for: bandages and dressings, thermometer, saline solution, antiseptic products, and emergency contact numbers.

Winter is the perfect time for your horse's annual Warrant of Fitness check. If your horse is due for a dental examination, vaccination review, parasite management plan, or general health assessment, contact the clinic to book a winter wellness check.

Don't miss all the info in our latest From the Horse's Mouth newsletter. Click the link to have a read ...

From the Horse's Mouth - July 2026 As we head into winter, a wetter, colder period across North Canterbury, paddock conditions can deteriorate quickly. Increased moisture and mud not only make management more difficult but also create ideal conditions for hoof problems and lameness. These can be quite the battle to get on top of, esp...

🐴 Hoof Abscesses – Small Problem, Big Limp!🧲

Who doesn’t love that squelch noise and relief you get when you hit the right spot and see a nice trickle of pus draining from your horses hoof.

A hoof abscess is a common cause of sudden, severe lameness in horses. An infection trapped within the hoof creates pressure and pain, often making it look like your horse has a much more serious injury.

Signs to watch for include:
• Sudden severe lameness
• Heat in the hoof
• A stronger digital pulse
• Sensitivity to hoof testers

With all this rain we are getting throughout North Canterbury creating muddy paddocks, it is the perfect conditions for hoof abscesses to develop. So keep an eye on your horse over the next week or so and if your think an abscess may be brewing gives us a call.

Does your horse happen to look like this?

EMS vs Cushing’s Disease (PPID): What’s the Difference? 🐴

Many horse owners hear about Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and Cushing’s disease (PPID), but they’re not the same condition—even though they can look similar.

Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)
• Usually affects younger to middle-aged horses and ponies.
• Often associated with obesity or regional fat deposits (such as a cresty neck).
• Horses develop insulin dysregulation, which significantly increases the risk of laminitis.
• Management focuses on weight control, diet, exercise (when appropriate), and reducing insulin levels.

Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID or Cushing’s disease)
• Most common in horses over 15 years of age.
• Caused by changes in the pituitary gland.
• Signs may include a long or curly hair coat that doesn’t shed normally, muscle loss, lethargy, increased drinking and urination, recurrent infections, and laminitis.
• PPID is diagnosed with blood tests and is commonly treated with medication alongside good management.

⚠️ Can a horse have both?
Yes. Older horses can have both PPID and insulin dysregulation, making them at even greater risk of laminitis.

🐎 The good news? Early diagnosis and appropriate management can make a huge difference to your horse’s comfort, health, and quality of life.

If you’re concerned about your horse’s weight, coat changes, or repeated episodes of laminitis, give us a call to discuss whether testing for EMS, PPID, or both is recommended.

** Important Notice **

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we regret to inform you that the Amberley clinic will be closed this Saturday 27th June.

Christchurch After Hours Veterinary Centre will be available for any emergency cases - Contact: (03) 366 1052 | 146 Antigua Street, Addington

Our clinical team will be on hand Sunday between 10am-4pm for emergencies only.

We apologise for any inconvenience