Surgery

At Ascot Equine Veterinarians, our surgical team is led by two registered specialists in equine surgery: Dr Peter Harding, a Diplomat of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, and Dr Danielle Crosby, a Diplomat of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons. Both Dr Harding and Dr Crosby are highly skilled in providing comprehensive surgical care for a range of emergency and elective procedures. Our team is available 24 hours a day for emergency cases, ensuring your horse receives expert care whenever it’s needed.

The surgery facility includes an operating theatre and two padded recovery rooms, with an overhead hoist system to safely transport horses between the recovery area and the theatre. We also offer standing surgery, where appropriate, allowing procedures such as sinus surgery, laparoscopic abdominal surgery and reproductive tract surgery to be performed with the horse standing, under sedation and local anaesthesia.

We regularly perform a variety of emergency and elective surgeries, including:

orthopaedic surgery
colic surgery
laparoscopy
respiratory, sinus and dental surgery
urogenital surgery
wound repair

With a focus on both patient safety and optimal outcome, our team combines years of experience with cutting-edge technology to deliver the highest standard of care for your horse.

Orthopaedic Surgery

The hospital has a dedicated surgical theatre fully equipped to perform a range of orthopaedic procedures from routine ‘key-hole’ surgery (arthroscopy, tenoscopy, and bursoscopy) to advanced fracture repair.

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Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy, often referred to as “keyhole surgery,” is a minimally invasive surgical technique that has transformed the treatment of equine joints and synovial cavities. By using small incisions and specialised instruments, this approach significantly reduces post-operative swelling, allows for faster recovery times, and facilitates an earlier return to training compared to traditional open surgical techniques.

One of the most common conditions treated with arthroscopy at Ascot Equine Veterinarians is synovial sepsis (joint infections). These infections can pose a serious threat to the horse’s health and, if left untreated, may result in life-threatening complications. However, with early diagnosis and timely intervention, the success rate for treating synovial sepsis is high.

A key component of treatment for synovial sepsis is arthroscopic lavage. This procedure involves flushing the infected joint or cavity with sterile fluid, allowing for a thorough cleaning and removal of infected tissues or debris. Arthroscopy allows our surgeons to visually assess the joint or synovial cavity during the procedure, ensuring precise and effective treatment.

Fracture Repair

In the past, fracture in horses were often considered career- or life-ending injuries. However, advances in surgical implants, cutting-edge techniques, and enhanced training have significantly improved the prognosis for many equine fractures. Today, with the right expertise and modern technology, successful fracture repair can lead to not only survival but also a return to athletic performance in certain cases.

While fracture repair in horses remains a complex and challenging procedure, continuous innovations in fracture fixation techniques and improvements in diagnostic imaging have revolutionised the treatment process. These advancements enable more accurate diagnoses, better surgical outcomes, and faster recovery times, offering new hope for horses with fractures.

$Surgery - fracture repair$

Angular/flexural limb deformities

Angular and flexural limb deformities are common in foals, with cases ranging from mild, requiring only conservative management, to severe deformities that may threaten a horse’s future athletic potential. Early recognition and intervention are critical in optimising conformation and improving long-term outcomes, including career prospects.

At Ascot Equine Veterinarians, we provide a comprehensive range of treatments for foals and weanlings with limb deformities. Our approach includes both conservative management techniques and advanced surgical procedures, such as periosteal stripping, single screw transphyseal placement, and transphyseal bridging using screws and wire. These interventions are designed to correct deformities, promote healthy development, and give foals the best chance of a successful future.

Colic Surgery

Colic is a common and potentially life-threatening condition that affects horses of all ages and breeds of horses, with severity ranges from mild discomfort to severe pain. Prompt and expert care is critical in determining the outcome, as some cases may respond to medical management, while others will require surgical intervention.

At Ascot Equine Veterinarians, we are fully equipped to handle all types of colic, whether medical or surgical. Advances in anaesthesia, surgical techniques, an post-operative care have significantly improved survival rates for equine colic, and out experienced team is prepared to perform emergency colic surgery 24/7. While many cases respond to intensive medical management, those requiring surgery are given comprehensive care before, during, and after the procedure, ensuring the best possible outcome.

Early veterinary intervention is key to improving surgical rates in colic cases, so we recommend seeking care promptly at the first signs of colic.

Colic Surgery, Ascot Equine Veterinarians, Ascot Equine vet, Performance horse, Racehorse

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopic, or “keyhole,” surgery offers a minimally invasive way to evaluate and treat conditions within the abdomen. Using a small camera inserted through small incisions in the flank, the surgeon can visualise and assess the gastrointestinal tract and other abdominal structures with precision. This advanced technique is often used to address a range of condition, including the removal of retained testicles (cryptorchidism) or ovaries affected by tumours or cysts in mares.

At Ascot Equine Veterinarians, most laparoscopic procedures can be performed on a standing, sedated horse, minimising the need for general anaesthesia. This approach significantly reduces the risk of complications and promotes a faster recovery compared to traditional open abdominal surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery may also be beneficial in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic or recurrent colic, as well as unexplained weight loss, offering a less invasive solution for these complex cases.

Respiratory, sinus and dental surgery

Respiratory, Sinus & Dental Surgery

Upper respiratory tract conditions are a common cause of exercise intolerance and poor performance in equine athletes. At Ascot Equine Veterinarians, we combine state-of-the-art diagnostic tools including overground dynamic endoscopy, with our team’s extensive expertise to accurately diagnose and treat a wide range of upper respiratory disorders.

We commonly perform various procedures to address these conditions, such as laryngoplasty (tie-back), laryngeal advancement surgery (tie-forward), epiglottic entrapment surgery (axial division of the aryepiglottic fold), and arytenoidectomies. Many of these surgeries can be carried out under standing sedation and local anaesthesia, reducing the need for general anaesthesia.

In addition to respiratory surgery, we frequently perform surgeries involving the head, nasal cavities, guttural pouches and sinuses. Where suitable, sinus surgeries are also conducted with the horse standing, under sedation and local anaesthesia.

Dental disease is another common issue in horses, often leading to secondary infection of the paranasal sinuses. At Ascot Equine, we routinely perform dental surgeries under general anaesthesia and under standing sedation with local anaesthesia, ensuring optimal care for each patient. When necessary, we collaborate with recognised equine veterinary dentists for oral tooth extractions to provide the best possible outcomes for our equine patients.

Urogenital surgery

Urogenital surgery may be required for a wide range of conditions in horses, affecting both mares and stallions. In mares, common issues such as uterine tears, abnormal urine pooling, or ovarian tumours may necessitate surgical intervention. In the male horse, retained testicles (cryptorchidism), penile tumours, or other reproductive abnormalities may require surgical correction.

At Ascot Equine Veterinarians, we offer a variety of surgical techniques tailored to the specific condition, utilising either local or general anaesthesia as appropriate. Minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic surgery, are often employed to remove retained testicles in cryptorchid stallions or to excise ovaries in mares with ovarian tumours or cysts.

Wounds

Wound Management

At Ascot Equine Veterinarians, we specialise in managing a wide variety of complex wounds, whether assed by our own clinicians or referred by other veterinary practices. Equine wounds, particularly on the limbs, can be challenging to treat our to the risk of infection, tissue loss, and delayed healing.

Our team employs advanced techniques to ensure optimal healing outcomes. These may include limb immobilisation using fibreglass casts to promote stability, or specialised skin grafting techniques for more severe or extensive wounds.