Client Evenings

[HorsesRule2009]

Does your vet practice hold client evenings?

And what do you think would be most useful to you? And would this change depending on time of year?

Ours used to but haven't done so for a long time

 

[Horseysheepy]

Yes, but Covid put a stop to them.
I think they've started advertising client evenings again recently on Facebook.
Usual subjects were:

Ulcers
Colic
Laminitis/EMS
Stud
Respiratory

Maybe introducing subjects like rehab, fitness, and alternative therapies would be interesting.

 

[rabatsa]

Yes my vets do. Most recent was flu/strangles but I have been to laminitis and colic ones. The sheep vets also do them and I have done parasites and lambing this year.

 

[Icedance]

I’ve been to a weight management one at my vets and they also held a lameness one recently. I think things like basic first aid would be a plus for many novice owners out there

 

[Sandstone1]

I have been to one for older horses cushings dental etc. It was informative and I enjoyed it. Thinks like a raffle, quiz instant prizes etc make it fun.

 

[dorsetladette]

Mine do. I've been to a worms and parasites one. They have also done a older horse one recently and a few others. I suppose not all evenings are relevant to all clients but they try to cover lost of different topics.

 

[OlderNotWiser]

Ours do, and they hold them at our local feed/tack store which seems like a good way to do it. Similar topics to the comments above, plus veteran and winter care.

 

[Pippity]

My vet switched to online during covid but has recently started doing in-person again. I found the lameness evaluation one really useful. I could spot which of the demo horses was lame, but I was completely wrong about which leg. I've also attended ones on eye issues, breeding, and behaviour.

Basic first aid would be great. And even though I've been an owner for five years, a 'what new owners need to know' would be really good.

 

[Xmasha]

Yes, our local vets have started doing them again. Im off to the leg dissection one soon,

 

[w1bbler]

Mine did before covid. Only went to one. It was titled sick lame or naughty - something like that
It turned out to be a complete waste of time, a brief talk about ulcers & kissing spine. Very basic information, I could have gone into more detail having had an ulcery horse. This then led to a sales pitch for their ulcer scoping clinic. It felt like a complete waste of an evening.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

Yep, ours has done them.

We went to a local tack outlet which also has a hospitality area. We had a talk about lameness diagnostics from the senior partner who told us about Equinosis which was their "new" lameness diagnostics tool, and offered clients a £100 special offer for the test if they booked from the evening. I accepted, as I really wasn't sure what was going on with my mare, but was aware something was. Well worth the money and I was grateful for being given the opportunity of seeing this new diagnostic tool in action.

For the second part of the evening we had a talk from a local up & coming Event rider who is sponsored by the practice, about how to make a training session (even a ride around the block!) productive. Very enjoyable - and everyone, even the happy hackers like us - learnt something.

 

[Gloi]

Mine do every year. Last year the main talk was on ulcers.

 

[Sealine]

My vet is the RVC. They do a monthly equine event, December is Upper Airways Disorders. These are recorded and you can pay for access after the event. They also do a lot of non equine events. See https://www.rvc.ac.uk/news-and-events

 

[ihatework]

Our vets sometimes do them.
I’m afraid I generally don’t go as I find the information pitched at too low level

 

[spacefaer]

My vets don't do them. Theyre a small and very busy practice - they've got enough on their plates without adding to their time stresses.
They used to do a monthly article on the website on different issues but not since covid.