The Ballinger Equine practice office at East Barn will close for the Christmas Day and Boxing Day Bank Holidays on 26 and 27 December respectively and for the New Year’s Day Bank Holiday on Monday, 2 January 2023. But, our team of veterinary surgeons continue, as they do every year, to provide uninterrupted, out-of-hours emergency service throughout...Continue Reading

Fireworks, bonfires, smoke and sudden loud noises do not mix well with horses and ponies – or other animals. Large organised fireworks displays and bonfire parties are almost upon us again for Guy Fawkes night and the Diwali Festival of Lights which is traditionally accompanied by colourful lanterns and fireworks. For those us with animals,...Continue Reading

Autumn has arrived bringing with it two seasonal poison hazards for horses and ponies – sycamore seeds or ‘helicopters’, and acorns. Atypical myopathy (sycamore poisoning or seasonal pasture myopathy) is a disease caused by the ingestion of sycamore seeds, seedlings or leaves and is often fatal in horses and ponies.Acorn poisoning requires urgent veterinary careThis...Continue Reading

Everybody at Ballinger Equine is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Her Majesty The Queen. We respectfully offer our thoughts and condolences to the Royal Family.Emergency service only on Monday 19 SeptemberMonday 19 September, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s State Funeral, is a national bank holiday. Out of respect, and...Continue Reading

British Equestrian (BEF) has issued a further update to the statement released jointly with British Equestrian Veterinary Association (BEVA) and the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) on 17 August, confirming that there are supply problems with equine influenza doses of Boehringer Ingelheim’s Proteq product.A Europe-wide issue, impacting the UK firstThis is a Europe-wide issue, but the shortage of doses...Continue Reading

Everybody at Ballinger Equine is pleased to welcome Dr Charlotte Batson BVSc MRCVS to the clinical team. Charlotte is the latest addition to our veterinary staff, joining her new colleagues Sophie, Harriett Eleanor and Clinical Director, Susanna Ballinger.Local knowledge and familiarity with the region’s horse-ownersCharlotte’s home is Bedfordshire and she knows the region well. Through...Continue Reading

Following my recent discussion with Ballinger Equine Ambassador, Charlotte Silcott-Niles as she prepared to depart the UK with her GB Horseball Squad teammates for the Fédération Internationale de Horseball (FIHB) World Cup in Saint-Lô, I get together with her again on her return, to discuss all things horseball and what makes a great rider/horse combination in this...Continue Reading

During the August bank-holiday weekend, Ballinger Equine will as usual continue to operate its own comprehensive, emergency and out-of-hours service. To contact our duty veterinary surgeon please telephone the main office number 01462 414008.Operating a comprehensive emergency and out-of-hours service with our own clinical teamUnlike many other ambulatory veterinary practices, we do not contract-out our emergency...Continue Reading

Ballinger Equine Ambassador, Charlotte Silcott-Niles and her GB Horseball Squad teammates leave today for the Fédération Internationale de Horseball (FIHB) World Cup in Saint-Lô. The FIHB World Cup is held every four years. Britain is this year fielding U16, Ladies and Pro-Elite teams.An interview with Charlotte Silcott-NilesBallinger Equine Ambassador and international horseball player, Charlotte Silcott-Niles, today...Continue Reading

Today’s (Sunday, 3 July 2022) 20K pleasure ride at Luffenhall has proved a huge success. A beautiful sunny day, with the gentlest of breezes in the midst of rural Hertfordshire providing the perfect setting for a relaxing Sunday ride with friends.Endurance GB pleasure rideNicki Harris, Gemma Grodkiewicz and their team, seasoned Endurance GB competitors, have...Continue Reading