Our Services

Healthcare Program

 All manner of health concerns of horses large and small are investigated and treated with a holistic approach.
Emergencies - Full 24 hour cover for all equine emergencies; office phone is switched through to paging service after hours so you only ever need 1 phone number [01483-811007]!!! Very rarely a page is not received - if you have not heard back within 10 minutes please phone again insuring you give the correct phone number to reach you.
Dentistry - All routine and remedial equine dentistry undertaken using specialist tools and techniques. This includes the diagnostics (including x-ray and endoscopy) to assess the viability of teeth and any associated sinus or bone disease, removal of wolf teeth, extraction of diseased cheek teeth, and fillings with dental impression material.
Surgical & Recovery - Purpose built theatre, hydraulic tilt operating table, gas anaesthesia with ECG and Blood Pressure Monitors; Recovery on special air bed flooring for maximum safety. We have an excellent record in outcomes for our surgical cases including Arthroscopies (keyhole joint surgery for chip fractures, osteochondrosis or OCD...), Septic Wounds and Joints, and Sinus Surgery.
Diagnostic Equipment - Our clinic is extensively equipped with high quality facilities including a powerful hospital X-ray unit in addition to a portable X-ray;  Digital Ultrasound imaging for all soft tissue including chest and abdomen exams; Endoscopy connected to digital video camera for imaging the airways, urinary tracts, and mare's reproductive tracts; and Thermal Imaging for detecting abnormal heat patterns; Electrocardiography (ECG) heart exams.
Lameness Centre - We have a great deal of experience and expertise in the diagnosis of lameness. Our approach is to make best use of the diagnostic tools including thermal imaging and the nerve blocking techniques used to localize the difficult lameness. Foot balance is always evaluated as part of any lameness assessment due to its importance in the future soundness of every horse. We work very closely with registered farriers providing remedial trimming and shoeing.

Thermography - One of the very few clinics employing thermal imaging, esp. in chronic pain syndromes. Dietrich  has documented and published on cases of "Sympathetic Associated Pain Syndromes", well recognized in human medicine, occurring in horses and previously unrecognized [“Thermographic Diagnostics in Equine Back Pain”, published in Veterinary Clinics of North America: Equine Practice, Back Problems] He has also recorded the first thermal images before, during, and after acupuncture to demonstrate the powerful normalizing effects acupuncture can have on autonomic (sympathetic) nerve dysfunction with correction of abnormal blood distribution.

The top 3 thermal scans are of an Endurance horse who has become intolerant of rider and tack for several months with no diagnosis from previous examinations including bone scans and x-rays prior to referral to our clinic. Our thermography and clinical findings pointed to a Sympathetic Pain Syndrome causing abnormal cold regions over the saddle area and hindquarters.
The thermal scans on the bottom row were taken during this horse's acupuncture treatment and demonstrated the normalization to the heat distribution by correcting the abnormal sympathetic nerve activity. These thermographic findings were first reported by Dr Dietrich von Schweinitz (founder of Southern Hills Equine). Through our treatments with acupuncture and other physical therapies we were able to successfully return the mare to riding soundness.
Acupuncture - Dietrich has over 20 years experience in acupuncture and has published on the subject, and lectured internationally. He is Past President of the Association of British Veterinary Acupuncturists, and recent member of the Board of Directors of the International Veterinary Acupuncture Association. Although many imagine that acupuncture is only used for chronic pain, we have used it successfully for chronic digestive, respiratory, and eye problems; in fact, for any chronic disease in order to help the body achieve its best chance at positive outcomes.
Dietrich's most famous patient, Champion Eventer Supreme Rock, is testimony to the recognition that acupuncture can play an important role in the success of the elite athlete as well as treat those with career threatening conditions. Most of our back pain cases respond with positive outcomes using acupuncture as one of the main treatments. And cases treated to date for recurring colic have stopped having repeat colics!
Rehabilitation - We have developed a uniquely integrated approach to chronic poor performance cases with a huge range of identified problems using a combination of conventional medicine, acupuncture, physiotherapy,  owner participation in therapy, tack analysis, diet and environmental management. We have the in-house skills of Vicky Reis VN ITEC Equine Sports Massage a member of the National  Association of Animal Therapists. Vicky has worked extensively in equine physical therapy and rehabilitation. Her skills are integral to our in-patient care, assistance in theatre, and in our sports medicine and rehabilitation efforts. We also work closely with other registered Animal Physical Therapists (ACPAT) to get a team effort and maximum benefits for the horse.
Shockwave Therapy (SWT) - We have many years experience as one of the first users of this exciting new therapy for chronic painful conditions, e.g. proximal suspensory ligaments, navicular, ringbone, kissing spines, & bone spurs and fractures. This has actually stopped some patients being euthanased due to chronic pain and suffering! It also improves speed and quality of healing. In some cases we combine shock wave with acupuncture treatments as shown in the photo below.
Patient receiving focused shock wave therapy together with electro-acupuncture for chronic back pain involving impinging spinous processes.
Sports Medicine - Considering the horse's importance in sport we have put a premium on keeping up to date with  the science of sport related disease and injury and the best forms of management and treatments. Our focus is holistic to take into account all the factors involved in the horse's ability to succeed in sport. Due to the medications ban in competing it is all the more important to offer alternative strategies in treatments, e.g. acupuncture and neutraceuticals.
Reproduction & Fertility - With over 20 years experience in equine breeding we offer ultrasound fertility and early pregnancy assessments, artificial inseminations, and perform the diagnostics and treatments for infertility.