All I want for Christmas… is protection against StranglesWell there are many things you may think your horse or pony would prefer as a Christmas gift, but with the number of positive lab tests for Streptococcus equi equi, the bacteria which causes Strangles, higher than ever in 2025, the Ballinger Equine team recommends that vaccination...Continue Reading

Bonfires, fireworks and pyrotechnics can frighten horses, ponies and pets. As carers for our animals we have a responsibility to keep them safe, healthy and calm. As Guy Fawkes night celebrations draw near, bonfires and fireworks can be a serious cause for concern and our horses and ponies may benefit from some help to keep...Continue Reading

Strangles is a cause for concern amongst horse and pony owners as we are all only too well aware of the implications of the infection resulting from Streptococcus equi subsp. equi. The reassurance and peace-of-mind gained from having your horse or pony vaccinated to protect against infection with Strangles is priceless. Ballinger Equine is today...Continue Reading

Fireworks can frighten horses and ponies as do bonfires, smoke and sudden loud noises. It is the time of year for Guy Fawkes night celebrations and the Diwali Festival of Lights, or Deepawali, which is traditionally accompanied by colourful lanterns and fireworks. For those us with animals, bonfires and fireworks are a serious cause for...Continue Reading

During the August Bank Holiday weekend, Ballinger Equine will continue to provide uninterrupted round-the-clock out-of-hours and emergency veterinary care to all our clients. Whilst the practice office will be closed as usual over the weekend and bank holiday, our veterinary surgeons remain on duty.A proudly independent practice focusing on clinical excellence and client serviceBallinger Equine...Continue Reading

It’s that time of year again for fireworks. Whilst many of us enjoy the fun and spectacle of bonfires, bright lights and bangers, we should not lose sight of the fact that our horses, ponies and household pets do not share our delight. For those us with animals, bonfires and fireworks are a serious cause...Continue Reading

Spring has arrived and meeting friends, competing and socialising is happily once again the norm and preventing or minimising the spread of disease amongst our animals is an animal health and welfare priority. The costs and disruption of straightforward preventative measures are significantly less than the cost of treating disease once it takes hold.We have...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

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