The abundant bright yellow flowers of the common ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) seem to be everywhere at the moment – certainly in Hertfordshire ragwort seems to be flourishing to a markedly greater extent than in recent years. Ragwort is toxic to horses and ponies and must be removed from pasture as a matter of priority. Ideally...Continue Reading

Laura Perry has joined Ballinger Equine as Senior Practice Administrator and will take over the leadership of the increasingly busy administrative office. Amongst Laura’s priorities is the efficient scheduling of the clinical team’s visits throughout the service area which encompasses Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Epping Forest and North London. Investing in efficient, professional management to...Continue Reading

A sunny, breezy, occasionally showery summer Sunday proved perfect for today’s (4 July 2021) inaugural Luffenhall Ride for Life Endurance GB event. Ballinger Equine sponsored the local grassroots endurance pleasure ride and undertook Official Veterinarian duties, ensuring veterinary health checks for all competing horses and ponies, as required by the sport’s governing body, Endurance GB.Veterinary...Continue Reading

Bio-security – a term often associated with sci-fi movies, mysterious government laboratories, scientists in yellow protective suits and more recently, COVID-19. In reality these associations are anything but fictitious, with bio-security being something all of us should be thinking about daily.Increasing national herd density and movement raises likelihood of disease transmissionOver time, an increase in...Continue Reading

Ballinger Equine Practice Administrator Sharni Heaps competed with her pony Hugo at Sunday’s Puckeridge Western Pony Club, Open One Day Eventer Trial in their first outing of the season. Supported by colleague Kate Harley and her new whippet puppy Snoopy, Sharni and Hugo pulled off a podium finish with third place in their class.Last minute...Continue Reading

Ballinger Equine is proudly supporting the return of equestrian grassroots competition in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions. The Puckeridge Western Pony Club eventer trial is to be held at Sue Underhill’s excellent cross-country venue at Bramfield on Sunday 16 May. Ballinger Equine is once again providing event sponsorship and veterinary cover throughout the competition.A welcome return...Continue Reading

Ballinger Equine Ambassador, Katie Branley has launched her season with successive stellar performances. Having qualified in 2020 for the Winter Regional Championships in Medium Freestyle and the Area Festivals at Advanced Medium, Katie’s aims for 2021 include moving up to compete at Prix St George. Ballinger Equine Ambassador competition report Over the distinctly chilly May...Continue Reading

Ballinger Equine is one of the region’s busiest and best equine ambulatory practices with an enviable reputation for clinical excellence and the very highest level of 24/7, 365 customer service. Continuing growth means we now seek an outstanding Practice Manager to help lead the delivery of equine veterinary excellence throughout our expanding service area. Excellence...Continue Reading

With COVID-19 lockdown restrictions starting to ease, competitions are opening up. Whether you’re competing at a local dressage show, at Pony Club camp, completing a 60cm clear round showjumping, or braving a cross-country course, you and your horse or pony will want to be ready to achieve to your full potential. Here are some quick...Continue Reading

Throughout the entirety of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are proud to have continued to provide continuous, uninterrupted emergency and out-of-hours cover, ensuring animal welfare and peace of mind for all our clients. This Easter we are operating full out-of-hours service as normal. Please be sure to follow strict COVID-19 biosecurity during a visit from one...Continue Reading