Simon Constable's Equine Vets

29/01/2026

We have a number of Strangles Outbreaks in the region as new horses arrive at a yard bringing with them the bacteria.

Many are carriers with minimal or no clinical signs of this dreadful disease because the bacteria are hidden inside the guttural pouches with shedding when stressed.

Luckily the new Strangles vaccine (Strangvac) is available to help protect your horses against this dreadful disease. There is a new research paper that shows how very effective it is in a “real world” setting.

https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.70125

Horses can be vaccinated against strangles two vaccines 4 weeks apart followed by a six month booster.
With this vaccine it is perfectly acceptable to give a vaccine at approximately six months although it can be given earlier if there are any fears of a local outbreak.

Please contact the Practice on 0161 724 4503 for more details.

26/01/2026

🌟NOMINATE NOW - VET PRACTICE OF THE YEAR🌟

Great veterinary care comes in all shapes and sizes. From busy practices to small teams and even one-person practices, there are vets doing incredible work every single day, often quietly, without much recognition.

This award is about celebrating those people and teams. The ones who go the extra mile for their patients, who support owners through the hard moments, and who care deeply about the animals and communities they serve.

If you know a vet practice — big or small — who deserves a recognition, this is your chance to nominate them. Whether you’re a client, a colleague, or someone who’s seen first-hand the difference they make, your nomination matters.

Self-Nominations are also welcome and it is free to self-nominate. Feel free to share this image below or email contact@equestrianbusinessawards.co.uk for a pdf poster complete with QR Code to nominate. Perfect for emails, invoices or on display in your practice.

24/01/2026

We received our copy of The British Palomino Society’s Journal today!

It is good to see interesting articles on Advice and Care such as Equine Grass Sickness, Nutrition, Genetics as well as our own article on Strangles.

Also a fascinating read about Showring fashion trends provides lots of great tips for those of us brave enough to venture into the show ring!

Even better were the fantastic results from some of our best and longest-standing clients, David and Lynda Hexham, who won the In-Hand Affiliated Points Award with Synod Dazzle.

A lovely article about some other great clients, Harrison and Nicola Taylor with Cranbornes Sirius have made it a near-to-home journal.

20/01/2026

Now is the time of year to think about prevention of insect-bite dermatitis (“Sweet-itch”); especially with regards to using desensitisation injections from allergy tests or the use of the ringworm vaccine which has shown to have beneficial effects against “Sweet-itch”.

Allergies can be debilitating for horses and extremely difficult to control unless steroids are used.

Some hypersensitivity reactions can be very difficult to control even using steroids, hence the reasons for prevention rather than treatment. Being pro-active rather than reactive is definitely better!!

Desensitisation injections involve blood tests to identify the allergens that cause the reactions before a bespoke “vaccine” can be made against the various substances. A gradually increasing dose of the vaccine is then given to stimulate IgG levels which hopefully overwhelm the IgE (+ mast cell) levels and prevent histamine release.

Both these preventative options must be done BEFORE the peak Sweet-itch season starts. January and February are ideal times- two injections two weeks apart with six monthly boosters of it’s a severe Sweet-itch year (as most seem to be nowadays!!).

19/01/2026

The saying ‘never off duty’ came true on Saturday.
A family day out was interrupted after a stray horse was on a busy country road. It made for an eventful interruption as Simon (off duty) managed to pop him back in his field from a dangerous situation.

This prevented a more severe road traffic collision and allowed the police to take over. Hopefully the relevant welfare societies will take this further……

But the funniest part was Simon’s foot wear! No boots, only white-soles trainers, so into the back of the car…. carrier bags tied around his feet had to do!!

A reminder to our clients about our duty!
We answer and attend our phones/emergencies ourselves 7 days a week. We never “farm” out our out-of-hours cover to an emergency service which other practices are starting to do.

Our computer system shows our active clients who always have regular vaccinations and these will always be prioritised.

Out-of-hours, you will always get through to one of our vets who can provide advice as well as access the system. This will be the same vet that visits, whatever hour of the day.

18/01/2026

355 Followers, 321 Following, 291 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Emily Constable (.constable)

18/01/2026

Check out SConstableEquineVets’s video.

14/01/2026

Simon has made his Podcast debut talking about Stem Cells on this Nupsala Podcast published today.
Here’s the link if anyone wants to listen?

Nupsala Podcast: Expert Insights & Education in Veterinary Care The Nupsala Podcast is your go-to source for education, industry insights, and expert discussions with leading professionals. Designed for veterinary practitioners, clients, and industry expe...

13/01/2026

Great photo of Zara and Honey Pot at BSPS Summer Championships at Arena UK last summer on the BSPS Website.
We loved the BSPS Summer Champs - it was a fantastic social event and very child orientated. Zara had the time of her life and nearly missed several classes because of her socialising 😆.
To make Zara‘s show, we were parked next to Harlow!!🍿

08/01/2026

A lovely write up from the Bolton News…….

https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/25735752.meet-family-behind-simon-constable-veterinary-practice/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQKNjYyODU2ODM3OQABHkni47ibkaTdbAR8QqC6duL0boFr7phE-oLVvI6ah0RI9Jnr82DuBFJNBBBU_aem_px1IyMckSRiDG1YrEGmk3A =1767812082

We met the family behind Simon Constable's Equine Vets, an award-winning practice providing the highest standards in equine care.

06/01/2026

The consequences of the cold weather are beginning to “bite”.
We have increasing numbers of colic due to the enforced management changes - especially in terms of reluctance to drink cold water and changes in diet - reducing grazing, movement and inability to soak hay.
The lack of hay soaking has also caused a number of EMS cases to flare up. Freezing temperatures have stopped people soaking g hay to reduce sugar intake. This seems a minor thing but subtle tweaks in the sugar content can lead to EMS flare-ups. Added to this the ice has prevented exercise - another fundamental way of preventing EMS.
It’s hard to rectify but trying to soak hay and then pouring boiling water over the frozen hay nets can help ; it requires lots of smaller nets to prevent refreezing and a lot more time input.
Stay as safe as you can!!

01/01/2026

Happy New Year everyone! 🍾
Thanks for all the support we have received from all our clients in 2025 and here’s hoping for a happy and most of all healthy 2026.
We have lost some good friends and companions over the last year, human, equine and other species and it is nice to remember them.
Hopefully 2026 will be a good year although it is starting with very cold weather and it would be prudent to make preparations- increasing painkillers for those older, stiff horses; getting prepared for water freezing; planning pathways in the snow and ice etc.
We can’t stop things going wrong but we can minimise the risk!