Equine Vets- West Wilts/Somerset?

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K27

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Which ones do you use?- I need to research the best ones to use as I'll be moving to West Wilts at some point within the next few months.....

Need recommendations for preferably Equine specialist vets who are on the ball, to the point and no faffing about, and good at dealing with lameness, and everything else.....

The ones on my list at the moment include The Stables, Shepton Mallet (Tim Randle), B&W Vets (Willesley), and Francis & Jackson.

Thanks very much!
 
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I would highly recommend Francis & Jackson.. I use them and they have been brilliant and they have their own Equine Hospital. I would NEVER EVER use the "Gloucestershire" vets- i had an extremely bad experience!!
 
Littlepowderkeg said:
I would highly recommend Francis & Jackson.. I use them and they have been brilliant and they have their own Equine Hospital. I would NEVER EVER use the "Gloucestershire" vets- i had an extremely bad experience!!
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Thats good to know- thanks ,they would probably be the nearest to us as well, I prefer to use a smaller practice if possible as they get to know the horses.

Many thanks!
 
No worries. Rob Jackson is fabulous. My horse was very seriously ill one Christmas and he came out twice.. when he should have gone home, and "got a feeling" that something more serious was going on other than a simple spasmodic Colic. Solo was taken to Valley Equine Lambourn if it wasn't for Rob, Solo would have died at home. I have nothing but praise for Dave Francis too... he is a wonderful vet!!
 
Littlepowderkeg, by 'gloucestershire vets' do you mean Willesley? I'd be interested to know your experiences if you wouldn't mine PMing me? They are my vets, and I have never heard a bad thing about them (though no vets are always 100%!). My experiences have always been brilliant, though.
 
Sharon Alston based in Bruton is also excellent. I use Stables (Tim/Nico) as they are a little closer to me but have used Sharon in the past.
 
used to be with stables but too many bad experiences so changed to bushey. i've also used garston vets in frome.
a friend uses francis and jackson and says they are great.
 
Littlepowderkeg said:
I would highly recommend Francis & Jackson.. I use them and they have been brilliant and they have their own Equine Hospital. I would NEVER EVER use the "Gloucestershire" vets- i had an extremely bad experience!!
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Francis and Jackson are not the areas favorite vets and definately have a tendency to be very expensive compared to others in the area that I have used. When I last used them to scope a horse for me they quoted me £250 and it ended up being over £400. They hadnt noticed that they had billed me twice for something and when I pointed it out to them they did finally admit I'd been over charged by £100. Still ended up being much more than they had told me.

Garstons are very good, they have a hospital as well but for the more serious problem they will refer you to Newbury (awesome)
 
Littlepowderkeg said:
I would highly recommend Francis & Jackson.. I use them and they have been brilliant and they have their own Equine Hospital. I would NEVER EVER use the "Gloucestershire" vets- i had an extremely bad experience!!
Click to expand...

Francis and Jackson are not the areas favorite vets and definately have a tendency to be very expensive compared to others in the area that I have used. When I last used them to scope a horse for me they quoted me £250 and it ended up being over £400. They hadnt noticed that they had billed me twice for something and when I pointed it out to them they did finally admit I'd been over charged by £100. Still ended up being much more than they had told me.

Garstons are very good, they have a hospital as well but for the more serious problem they will refer you to Newbury (awesome)
 
Andalusianlover said:
Francis and Jackson are not the areas favorite vets and definately have a tendency to be very expensive compared to others in the area that I have used. When I last used them to scope a horse for me they quoted me £250 and it ended up being over £400. They hadnt noticed that they had billed me twice for something and when I pointed it out to them they did finally admit I'd been over charged by £100. Still ended up being much more than they had told me.

Garstons are very good, they have a hospital as well but for the more serious problem they will refer you to Newbury (awesome)
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Thank you, this is really interesting and I'm glad that I've asked the question- will probably be moving to Warminster area and I don't mind who I use as long as they are good at their job and I don't mind paying for call out if they are not that local as at the moment where I am in Sussex I wouldn't use any of the more local equine vets to us as I don't find them to be as good as ones that are further away. I shall have to look up Garstons as well then!. I suppose a lot of things I won't find out until I've moved if that sort of makes sense!

Thank you all- keep the recommendations coming!
 
HollyP said:
I currently use stables, but willesley did my horses op..VERY happy with them, am thinking of swapping...!
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That's good to know- thanks for your reply- which Willesely Clinic would you use where you are located- the Gloucestershire Clinic? or the North Somerset one?
 
I used Bushey for many years and was very pleased. When I moved I changed to Willesley as they are very close and I wanted a stud Vet. I have been very pleased with them too. I've saved Vet visits by talking to a Vet on the phone. They do zone visits for routine stuff which is half the normal visit charge.
 
Sure I'd posted this a minute ago but will redo it.

I'm with Garston's they correctly diagnosed my horse's front feet problem (odd internal angles cause a lot of pain if not trimmed properly - not visible from outside) when every other vet who'd seen her had told me she had arthritis in hocks and fetlocks in both hinds.

Kate refused to give up until she had an answer that made sense and I got my horse back. She also then worked with my farrier to ensure horse got proper remedial trimming/shoeing and horse is now totally sound.
 
zandp said:
Sure I'd posted this a minute ago but will redo it.

I'm with Garston's they correctly diagnosed my horse's front feet problem (odd internal angles cause a lot of pain if not trimmed properly - not visible from outside) when every other vet who'd seen her had told me she had arthritis in hocks and fetlocks in both hinds.

Kate refused to give up until she had an answer that made sense and I got my horse back. She also then worked with my farrier to ensure horse got proper remedial trimming/shoeing and horse is now totally sound.
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That's brill they picked up on the foot problem- I've one horse who is probably very similar to yours and has to be shod just so!-..... I'm off to check out their website at lunch time as well- thanks for the info!....
 
Use stables for emergencys, and bushy for my mare who has leg issues and so far been very happy with the vet from bushy and my mare loves him, shes had issues with vets and stables wouldnt nerve block her as believed it to be unsafe. Vet from bushy came out and nerve blocked her with no issues at all.

Im not actually in the area bushy do so thats why have 2 vets just in case out of hrs need someone out as bushy well over 1h30mins to get to me.
 
what i said was they said it was unsafe to nerve block her not that they dont have policy or anything like that if you re-read what i wrote they felt it unsafe with her so never tried as she attacked most of their vets. However she seems to have decided to like duncan from bushy and let him do it first ever visit.
 
Kate refused to give up until she had an answer that made sense and I got my horse back. She also then worked with my farrier to ensure horse got proper remedial trimming/shoeing and horse is now totally sound.[/QUOTE]

Kate from Garstons is the dogs do doos as far as vets are concerned. She lives near to Warminster and is very handy for routine visits either first thing or last!

She's been superb recently with two horses in my barn, diagnosed peritonitis in one very quickly recently and her prompt action saved its life!

If your coming to Warminster, Garstons is the best local vets.

If youre looking for livery yards, PM me. I reckon I'm at the best round here for miles, depending upon what facilities etc you require.
 
I used to use Garston but moved to Francis & Jackson and would highly recommend the latter, especially Rob. He has been happy to discuss things over the phone where others would insist on coming out and you can get free visits (as in, not pay for the call out) for routine procedures like teeth and injections.

Despite spending a fortune over the years due to an accident prone TB I know in the long run I have saved money being with them and had the very best of service. I can't fault them and have certainly tested their knowledge and skills to the max with my TB.
 
bounce said:
I used to use Garston but moved to Francis & Jackson and would highly recommend the latter, especially Rob. He has been happy to discuss things over the phone where others would insist on coming out and you can get free visits (as in, not pay for the call out) for routine procedures like teeth and injections.

Despite spending a fortune over the years due to an accident prone TB I know in the long run I have saved money being with them and had the very best of service. I can't fault them and have certainly tested their knowledge and skills to the max with my TB.
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That sounds good, esp with the free call out- I know one of my horses is a bit accident prone and a bit of a drama queen at time, so every little helps where vet bills are concerned as he loves me spending money on his vets bills!- thanks for the information and reply!- will keep it in mind.
 
K27 said:
That's good to know- thanks for your reply- which Willesely Clinic would you use where you are located- the Gloucestershire Clinic? or the North Somerset one?
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Do you mean Failand?
That is the clinic we use, as I said before never any problems.
Superb vets who explain things very well so you fully understand what is going on and the ladies on the yard go a bit mad for Scott or Duncan!
 
monkeybum13 said:
Do you mean Failand?
That is the clinic we use, as I said before never any problems.
Superb vets who explain things very well so you fully understand what is going on and the ladies on the yard go a bit mad for Scott or Duncan!
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Gotta be Duncan!!!!
 
I'd recommend Kin Lundberg Young from Warminster, very straight talking with a no-nonsense approach. Runs her own TB stud farm, so understands TB mentality very well!
 
I also really really rate Kate Rapley from Garstons. She has been brilliant with all my horses. She is a very good vet and is a brilliant people person.

The girls at the practice are lovely too.

My horse got kicked recently and I didnt think it needed stitching but wanted some anti-biotics so I rang, spoke to Kate, sent her a photo from my phone and she agreed and I just picked up the anti-biotics :) She really listens to what you have to say.

They do a great plan to so that you pay a monthly amount and you get two visits a year, teeth, vaccinations, blood count and general all over check :)
 
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