HORSE SENSE

IT was 8am on a typical autumn morning when I drove into The Equine Veterinary Hospital nestled in the picturesque West Sussex Downs on the fringe of Arundel. I was here to see just what was involved in running one of the largest UK Equestrian only practices. With a team of five partners and nine other veterinary surgeons they cover most of West Sussex.

The area includes several large racing stables; four racecourses, the All England Show Jumping Course at Hickstead and some well established polo clubs. With such beautiful countryside horses play an important role in many peoples lives and the practice is very busy with full in-patient facilities offering 24 hour care.

Founded in the early fifties the practice has developed over the years to become one of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Accredited Equine Hospitals. This means that it must pass a rigorous inspection covering hygiene, health and safety, facilities and equipment provided, to name just a few of the many criteria. Regular checks, which sometime include spot checks, make all the staff aware of their responsibilities, which in the long-term can only benefit only the animals and their owners.

Originally the practice was situated at the foot of Maltravers Street in Arundel. A steep hill with limited parking space often resulted in examinations being carried out in the road outside the clinic, with x-rays being taken in the garage next door

As the practice got busier an alternative site was needed.

An old piggery was identified and over the years has been shaped into the present clinic.

For full feature and pictures see West Sussex Gazette November 22