vet recommendations in East Anglia?

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Jericho

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I would like a vet to come and investigate my horse in some detail so am looking for some recommendations for vets who are experienced in hind leg / back issues. He doesnt seem lame but just isnt right to me and although I have had the vet out once to see him and he trotted him up / felt his legs for heat and declared him fine I want a second opinion. Usual vet is Paton and Lee. Can anyone recommend someone in Suffolk / Essex?
 
I'm not in Essex so not really qualified to answer. However I've heard that House & Jackson are good vets, but I may be wrong. Also theres Rossdales (Beaufort Cottage) in Newmarket.
 
Yes I guess that is what is ultimately going to happen but doesnt the vet have to refer with a specific issue, especially if it has to go through insurance?

Not sure how it all works. I think basically I want a good thorough work out for him, not just 'put him bute' and see if he improves.....
 
Greenwood Ellis in Newmarket (I think they're called the Newmarket Equine Hospital now). Good experienced vets, know what they're about.

ETS:- I don't think you need a referral for them, I use them as my primary port of call.
 
I would recommend Erik at House and Jackson.

He holds a clinic at the surgery every Tuesday, so if you have access to transport it might save you some money!

I think they also have a 'back' person there on a tuesday on a regular basis and if you ask they will arrange the appointment so both can look at them if you want.
 
Thanks everyone. I have used House and Jackson before (completely unrelated) and liked them but they are quite expensive to come out up here as just outside of their area. I like the fact that there is clinic every Tuesday - will ring them tomorrow.

I love HHO - what would we do without it!!!
 
I cannot recommend enough Platt & Murell who are near Chelmsford - not sure if they cover your area - David Platt is a god of lameness problems and Mark is also excellent and has a wonderful manner with nervous horses.

With House & Jackson - I have recently been rather unimpressed with how they have dealt with several horses on the yard - seem to send out junior types who can only say colic or lamni as the problem.
 
Thansk Theresa F - they sound good as well. Only 35 miles from me. Can I ask what your specific experience of them is? I almost want to take my horse there and leave him there for a week for them to a full exam inc xrays, nerve blocks etc whatever is needed rather than lots of visits / call outs etc. Is this something they do? Do they have the facilities such as surgery, riding arenas, xrays etc?
 
I would advise discussing the situation with your vet and asking him to refer your horse to an equine specialist. This will help to avoid any hard feelings between you and your existing vet. The referral system, which keeps your own vet involved in the process avoids any confusion over who is your first opinion vet.

Also, if you send your horse to a non-referral practice for a lameness work-up you risk spending a lot of your insurance money on nerve-blocks, radiographs etc (particularly if the change is subtle), only to have that practice suggest referring the horse on to somewhere more specialist.

Referral practices hate being sent secondary referrals, that have been passed from vet to vet and only have £20 of insurance money left.

If I were you I'd be getting him referred to Greenwood Ellis/Rossdales/AHT. However bear in mind that if the lameness is subtle they may suggest exercising him to exacerbate any problems, and they may also suggest a bute trial as this can be a valid diagnostic approach when the nature of the problem is not clear.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I cannot recommend enough Platt & Murell who are near Chelmsford - not sure if they cover your area - David Platt is a god of lameness problems and Mark is also excellent and has a wonderful manner with nervous horses.

With House & Jackson - I have recently been rather unimpressed with how they have dealt with several horses on the yard - seem to send out junior types who can only say colic or lamni as the problem.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes i agree that if you call for an emergency you will get the vet on call which tends to be one of the younger vets (i must say I've never been dissappointed with their work) but if you ask for a precific vet for a non emergency appointment you will get who you ask for.

As the poster wants something investigated I recommended them, if you look on their website you will see all the factilices they have ie menage, grazing, and excellent equipment.
 
I can highly recommend the Acorns Equine Clinic based outside Chelmsford, I personally haven't been too impressed with House and Jackson either.
 
Which vet did you have at Paton & Lee - I use them and have always been impressed with their service and they have always been happy to discuss referrals and/or ask for second opinions if they are not sure.

Tony is the lameness expert there
 
Hi Nat_UK I like Tony lots although didnt know he was the lameness expert there - he has usually done teeth rasping / vacs etc. The vet who checked him several months ago was a young chap but cant remember what his name was. Tony was also the one who referred me to my horses physio who I have been pleased with.
 
This link will probably tell you what you need. http://www.rcvs.org.uk/Templates/System/...chType=practice

David was the one to finally get to the root of my WB mare's problems. He also did a fantastic job when she ripped her leg open - not even a scar due to the way he treated her. If you google him, you will see he is very respected and Mark was one of the three finalists in Petplan vet of the year last year.

David is very professional - tells you as it is, and Mark is very good and probably a little more approachable - that said I like David's way of dealing, but some may find him a bit abrupt.
 
I always try to get Johnathon or Tony from there - I have had a couple of others and have always found them the best. Jonathan phoned Newmarket for a second opinion for me on my horse's lameness (and they response they gave turned out to be the correct diagnosis) and Tony was more then happy to discuss referrals if necessary with my horse's eye.

You have to take things as you find them though so if you aren't happy with the original vets opinion then I would get a second opinion too
 
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