How to Prepare Your Horse for a Vet Visit

Make the most of your appointment with these simple steps

1. Know What the Visit Is For

This may sound obvious, but if multiple people are involved in caring for your horse, it’s helpful to make sure everyone knows the reason for the appointment. That way, the right horse is ready, and we can ask the right questions.

If you’ve booked on behalf of someone else, please make sure the full history and concerns are passed on ahead of time.

2. Catch and Clean Your Horse

We love clean legs! If your horse is due for a lameness exam, vaccinations, blood draw, or other procedures, please have them:

• Caught and ready in good time

• Dry and brushed off — especially legs and feet

• Haltered and safely tied (or held by a competent handler)

  
  

A clean, dry horse helps us find veins, feel joints, and observe movement clearly. If your horse is muddy or soaking wet, it may delay or limit what we can do.

3. Choose a Safe Area for Examination

We’ll usually need:

• Hard, flat ground for trot-ups or lameness exams

• A quiet space with good light for clinical exams

• Shelter if scanning or working with equipment

• Stable or tie-up space if sedation or treatment is needed

If we’re scanning, radiographing, or performing a minor procedure, access to a power socket or quiet area is a bonus.

4. Allow Enough Time

Please allow enough time for your appointment — especially for more detailed work-ups. While vaccines or blood draws can be relatively quick, investigations (e.g. poor performance, lameness, or pre-purchase exams) often take longer.

If you're in a hurry or need to leave at a certain time, let us know at booking so we can plan accordingly.

5. Have Relevant Information to Hand

It’s always helpful to have:

• Recent medical or dental history

• A list of any supplements or medications

• Insurance details (if applicable)

• A note of any behavioural issues we should know about (needle-shy, difficult to shoe, etc.)

Don’t worry if you don’t have everything — just let us know what you can.

6. Stay Calm (and Help Your Horse Stay Calm Too!)

Horses pick up on our stress, so the more relaxed you are, the better. If your horse is nervous with vets, let us know — we can work slowly and quietly, and sometimes recommend a mild sedative or positive handling approach for safety.

If sedation is required, we’ll advise you on post-treatment monitoring and turnout.

7. Ask Questions

We’re here to help, not to rush. If you’re unsure about anything we’re doing or recommending, please ask. It’s important you feel confident about your horse’s care and any next steps.

A Final Thought

A little preparation goes a long way in making veterinary visits safe, smooth, and productive for both you and your horse. It also gives us more time to focus on what matters — keeping your horse healthy, happy, and performing at their best.