Liphook Equine Hospital

Russell is a European Specialist in Equine Surgery and his appointment increases the number of European Specialist surgeons in the hospital to five giving us even greater capacity to deal with lameness investigations, surgical cases and diagnostic imaging. Russell graduated from the University of Bristol in 2004 and initially worked in equine practice before starting a residency in equine surgery at the University of Edinburgh in 2008. In 2012 he became a diplomat of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons and stayed on at Edinburgh as a Lecturer in Equine Surgery. Prior to joining the LEH Russell was working as an equine surgeon in a Berkshire based equine practice. His professional interests include all aspects of equine surgery, lameness investigation and diagnostic imaging. Russell is married and has a young daughter who is already taking a keen interest in the family dogs and horses. Outside of work he enjoys riding, outdoor sports and cooking when time allows.

They are running in aid of SPANA (Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad), which works to improve the welfare of working horses and donkeys in the world’s poorest countries in Africa and the Middle East.  The charity provides free veterinary care for working animals in static and mobile clinics, and has emergency outreach teams that can provide life-saving help when natural
disasters or conflicts strike.  As well as this practical aid, SPANA has a strong emphasis on education and training, to improve welfare standards for working animals in the future by educating young people and children. 

 Victoria experienced SPANA’s valuable work first-hand when she spent time in Ethiopia in February 2013 teaching at a week-long workshop for Ethiopian veterinary professionals including veterinary medicine lecturers and ambulatory vets.  This Ethiopian workshop was special addition to SPANA’s education programme and was partly sponsored by donations from clients of Liphook Equine Hospital who had attended free evening meetings on laminitis, Cushing’s disease and weight control.

 The girls chose to run in the Marrakech Marathon since the two British women who founded the charity began their animal welfare campaign in Morocco 90 years ago.

 Training for a marathon is a major undertaking for anyone!  Sarah and I are full-time vets at Liphook Equine Hospital, Victoria is an internal medicine specialist and Sarah is our head housevet.  Since they both have intensive on-call rotas and the winter days are so short, there have been very few runs where they have not needed reflective gear and head-torches!  There have been a few minor issues to overcome, not least when their favourite 6 mile trail running loop succumbed to a landslide during the Christmas storms so they had to plan new training routes for the past few weeks. 

 Victoria and Sarah would be very grateful for sponsorship to guide them through their few weeks of training and the marathon race itself!  Further details about SPANA, their race, and sponsorship can be found at:  www.justgiving.com/Victoria-Copas  and www.justgiving.com/Sarah-Ross13

Sarah (left) and Victoria in the hospital buildings

Sarah (left) and Victoria in the grounds of the hospital preparing for a run

Victoria (front row fourth from right) at the Workshop for Ethiopian Veterinary Professionals

Victoria demonstrating a nerve block to vets as part of a SPANA workshop in Ethiopia in February 2013

We would like to welcome Jo Dyson BSc (Hons) BVSc Cert EM (Int Med) MRCVS, to the Road Vet Team. 

Jo graduated from Bristol University in 2005. After working for a year in a mixed practice, Jo has spent the last 7 years working as an equine vet in South Hampshire and the West Country. Jo’s interests are internal medicine, dentistry, geriatrics and ophthalmology. In 2012 Jo achieved a certificate in Equine Internal Medicine.

In her spare time, Jo enjoys sailing and skiing, and loves to go horse riding and walking her labrador Alfie.

The practice is delighted to announce that  Tom Hughes, one of our specialist  surgeons,  has become a partner of the Liphook Equine Hospital.

With the recent media attention regarding horsemeat being found in some processed foods there has been increased awareness and attention on Horse Passports. Horse Passports were made compulsory in 2007 and from 2009 all horse being issued with a new passport must be Microchipped.

Horse Owners must ensure each horse, pony and donkey in their care has a valid passport – You can be fined up to £5000 for not having a valid passport!Horses cannot be moved without their passport except in special cicumstances such as a short hack/ ride. This is primarily to ensure that no horses receiving certain medications enter the food chain and also to prevent the sale of stolen horses or ponies as the passport should prove its identity.

Section IX of the Horse Passport MUST be signed by the owner, keeper or veterinarian to identify whether the horse is ‘intended’ or ‘not intended’ to enter the human food chain. We are certain that vast majority of our clients would sign the section ‘not intended’ (unless their horse has been particularly naughty on the day of signing!) which allows us as vets to use any appropriate drug treatment to ensure the health of your horse.

We need to ensure that we keep adequate records to ensure that the horses under our care meet these requirements and we thus ask for your cooperation in recording passport numbers and ensuring passports are signed.

Sale of Horse/ Pony/ Donkey

It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure that when they buy a new horse or pony that they receive a valid passport which is returned to the passport issuing organisation within 30 days of sale to verify change of ownership

Death of Horse/ Pony/ Donkey

It is the owner’s responsibility to return the horse’s passport to the Passport Issuing Authority within 30 days of the death of their horse or pony so that it may be invalidated.