Chiltern Equine Vets - does anyone use them?

[Splish & Masons mum]

As title really, my current vet has left our practice for a fabulous job she couldn't turn down and on the whole they are starting to do less and less large animal and equine work, so I'm potentially thinking of changing.
Does anyone use Chiltern Equine? what are they like? PM me if you prefer
thanks in advance

 

[Katd66]

I have had no problems when I have used them - but they are not my regular vet.

I had an emergency call out about a year ago with them as my usual vet couldnt make it and the vet arrived - hugely knowledgeable about horses and youngstock and did a fantastic job and probably saved me my horse.

 

[Llanali]

Yes, I have had them for years.

Sarah Randall- who owns the practice I believe- has not got a fabulous bedside manner with owners but I wouldn't go anywhere else for lameness or loss of performance.

A personal favorite vet there though is Angela who was faultless when my mare choked/colicked and sliced a leg open in one fell swoop on a Sunday evening last year. Only time I have ever panicked in an equine emergency, and she was beyond fabulous.

Kieran is always very good and patient though. Down to earth, quite straight talking.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Yes, I have had them for years.

Sarah Randall- who owns the practice I believe- has not got a fabulous bedside manner with owners but I wouldn't go anywhere else for lameness or loss of performance.

A personal favorite vet there though is Angela who was faultless when my mare choked/colicked and sliced a leg open in one fell swoop on a Sunday evening last year. Only time I have ever panicked in an equine emergency, and she was beyond fabulous.

Kieran is always very good and patient though. Down to earth, quite straight talking.

I have nothing but good things to Say about Sarah I am sure she will enjoy reading your post Llanali
She is seeing my horse friday its going to be wonderful to see her again.

 

[TicTac]

They vetted my horse for me when I brought her a few years ago and found the practice to be very friendly and helpfull, in fact I still get news letters from them!

 

[Erin]

Fabulous, wouldn't use anyone else - Reena has had a LOT of vet treatment in the last 16 months (including multiple trips to the clinic) and they've been brilliant

 

[Mancha]

I know alot of people that use them, and rate them highly
I personally use Wendover Heights which cover a similar area and i would definately recommend them if they are local enough to you.

 

[fine_and_dandy]

Didn't really rate them when I used them, and found the bills to be "strung out" as others have said. However, have had equally good and bad things about them.

I use Wendover Heights and adore them. Could not recommend them highly enough, especially Sam. She is ace!

 

[Llanali]

I have nothing but good things to Say about Sarah I am sure she will enjoy reading your post Llanali
She is seeing my horse friday its going to be wonderful to see her again.

In fairness, I did say that as a vet for serious issues, she was second to none so I don't think it was remotely reputation damaging, or certainly wasn't intended to be. When I first has Sarah she was with Wendover Heights still, and I know now that there were issues surrounding that, so perhaps she was frustrated that particular day? I simply found her to be a little brusque in her manner with myself and some of my liveries, on that occasion and on the 2 other times I have seen her since.


Who knows though- perhaps I caught her on bad days? She certainly has built a fantastic practice, and has many loyal followers, so perhaps my findings are limited and not the norm.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Funny that that's when I first met Sarah when she was at Wendover Heights

I first met her in 1993 swapped to her shortly after that when had trouble with another vet practice. Have been with her ever since nearly 20 years

 

[SO1]

These vets have many practices which may explain the different experiences people have had.

One of the practice is about 5 minutes away from the livery yard I am on, interestingly enough none of the liveries use them I have no idea why. I thought about changing vets and going with them when I moved yards but in the in the end decided to stay with my old vets even though they are a bit further as they know my pony and I am happy with them. Most people at my yard use Park Vets I use RVC.

Chiltern equine do seem to offer lots of special offers and free zone days which my vets don't so I wonder if they are trying to attract new customers?

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

These vets have many practices which may explain the different experiences people have had.

One of the practice is about 5 minutes away from the livery yard I am on, interestingly enough none of the liveries use them I have no idea why. I thought about changing vets and going with them when I moved yards but in the in the end decided to stay with my old vets even though they are a bit further as they know my pony and I am happy with them. Most people at my yard use Park Vets I use RVC.

Chiltern equine do seem to offer lots of special offers and free zone days which my vets don't so I wonder if they are trying to attract new customers?

I think the main reasons are for free call out days is,


1 Vets don't have to travel miles just to do a booster jab .

2 They can fit more visits in a day

3 Cuts the bill down for owners as they cant book their jabs on the call out day

 

[Splish & Masons mum]

many thanks for all the opinions both on here and via PM, it's reassuring to know there are a lot of good vets in my area! Pretty much all the vets suggested to me cover my area!
Something I was interested in are the zone call out days, as sometimes I need appointments 2 weeks apart for mite jabs and it costs me £100 a time with call out and consult fee + jab!
many thanks again

 

[claireandnadia]

I've used them for the passed 5 years and would never use anyone else. My vet Tamsin has very unfortunately left to go to work for the Brooke so I'll find out at the end of the month who's going to be looking after me.
I've always found them to be great with regards to not coming out un-neccasarily. They'll always say to call first and if they can't talk you through it they'll come out.
They always have got good deals on and the free days are good although up until now I've never been in the zone.

 

[ace87]

Wendover Heights are preferable. Especially Nicola - fabulous vet - she's not long been there but I had her at my previous practice and moved over with her.