Westmorland Veterinary Group

A horse health plan is a preventative healthcare scheme tailored to an individual animals circumstance and needs. The aim of such a plan is to prevent disease or at least detect it at an early stage through a series of regular examinations, routine medical treatments and owner discussion.

Health plans are not a new concept in veterinary medicine and have formed the basis of preventative healthcare in farm animal practice for a number of years, however up until recently they haven't been widely used in equine practice.

Preventative healthcare is in keeping with the National Animal Health and Welfare Strategy launched by Defra in 2004 and more recently the draft Equine Health and Welfare Strategy lead by BEVA and written by the Horse Industry itself.

We believe that detailed health plans are an enormous step in the right direction and will help prevent a large number of common diseases and managment related problems.

We are currently offering two different health plans, "The 3 Star Plan" and "The 5 Star Plan".

- An initial review of your horses routine managment and any previous or current health issues.

- An annual full clinical examination including assesment of eyes, heart and lungs.

- Tailored worming programme and three faecal worm egg counts through the summer months.

The 5 Star Plan has all the benefits of the 3 Star Plan but with the following additonal features:

- Two 6 monthly clinical examinations including assesment of eyes, heart and lungs.

- An annual blood test (haemotology and routine biochemistry) including liver and kidney parameters.

- Sufficient wormer to dose annually for tapeworms and encysted redworm larvae. These will be posted directly to you.

- Routine wormers through the summer are not included as requirements will vary depending on the results of faecal worm egg counts.

Which is the right plan for me?

The 3 Star Plan is probably best suited to the younger horse or child's pony, while the 5 Star Plan is more suited to the older, geriatric horse or those animals with ongoing problems or at particular risk of certain conditions.

How much does it cost?

The 3 Star Plan costs £10 per month (or £8 for a "no visit" plan). The 5 Star Plan costs £20 per month (or £18 for a "no visit" plan).

Additional horses are charged at the 'no visit' plan fee.

Health plans can be started at anytime of year and must be paid for by direct debit. If you sell your horse part-way through the plan, we will calculate the outstanding treatments and credit/debit your account accordingly.

For more information and terms & conditions, please phone the Kendal or Kirkby practice.