We are a 24 hour emergency equine veterinary clinic and so one of our own vets is available to speak to when it is out of hours and reception is closed. The equine emergency number is 07767 884947 but if there is no answer or the emergency vet is busy, you will be redirected to a paging service. Please leave a message with the paging company and the emergency vet will call you back as soon as possible.

Visits can be arranged to any area within a 40 mile radius or appointments can be made to see your horse at the Practice. Routine work is best booked in advance, preferably before 9:30 of the morning of the appointment, this enables a more effective use of the vets time.

Emergencies of course can be seen at any time. It can be difficult due to the nature of the job to be precise about timings of visits, we will endeavour to keep to an approximate time given and can always call you in advance so you don’t have to hang round all day.

All of our vets have training in routine dental work and floating. We offer the following:

• Full dental examinations
• Dental floating
• Wolf tooth removal
• Cap removal in young horses
• Motorized reduction of dental overgrowths
• Dental extractions
• Treatment of diastemata and periodontal disease
• Dental radiography

Karen Church is the Practices Registered JMB veterinary surgeon, measurements can be undertaken at the clinic, this needs to be booked in advance. It is advisable to have had your horses shoes removed and feet trimmed appropriately. All horses now need to microchipped in accordance with JMB regulations, this can be performed at the time of measurement if required.

It is recommended that clients purchasing a horse should consider a pre purchase examination, this can help identify current problems and future concerns. There are two versions, a standard 5 stage, and a limited 2 stage, clients should discuss their requirements with one of our receptionists or veterinary surgeons. We are able to travel more widely for pre purchase examinations, or we may be able to recommend a local veterinary surgeon for those further afield requests.  It is also possible to use the facilities at the clinic if you wish to bring your prospective purchase to us.

The standard RCVS/BVA procedure:

1. Preliminary examination – This is a thorough external examination of the animal at rest using visual observation, palpation and manipulation  to detect signs of injury, disease or physical abnormality. This includes an examination of the incisor teeth, eyes and auscultation of the heart and lungs.
2. Walk and trot in hand – Detection of abnormalities of gait and action, flexion tests and lunging.
3. Strenuous exercise – Usually assessed under saddle – allows assessment of the horse when it has increased breathing effort and heart rate. Allows further assessment of gait.
4. Period of rest – the horse is allowed to stand quietly for a period and allows a further assessment of respiratory and heart rates.
5. Second trot up and foot examination – In hand again to look for any signs of strains and injuries made evident by the exercise and rest stages.

The 2 stage examination only includes the first 2 stages listed above and a signed declaration is required to acknowledge understanding that a limited examination may not reveal certain conditions which may be discovered during a full 5 stage examination.

Catley Cross Veterinary Clinic is a BEVA AI recognised Practice in the use of fresh, chilled and frozen semen.  There are several options available if you are considering breeding your mare.  We offer AI packages in the clinic, we can carry out chilled inseminations at your yard or we can prep your mare for a walk in covering. If you are considering this service then it is advisable to put some thought in at an early stage of the year in order to be prepared.