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When Petplan, the UK’s largest pet insurance provider, launched the Veterinary Awards some 15 years ago it was to recognise the hard work and dedication of veterinary practices like Spring Paddocks Equine and Avonvale.

When Tracey Pettipher bought an unbroken Highland pony she sent him to a supposedly reputable trainer to be broken in. Five weeks later the three year old returned a neurotic and nervous runaway and after turning him away for the winter Tracey sent him to another trainer to be re-broken.

It took several weeks but Sunny eventually lost his fear of being ridden and Tracey was due to take him home when she received a call to say that Sunny was showing signs of colic.

Tracey immediately called her veterinary practice Spring Paddocks Equine and, after the pony failed to respond to anti-colic drugs, vet Lizzie Samuel realised that only emergency surgery would save him.

“The other option was to put him to sleep,” recalls Tracey. “My previous Highland pony had been put to sleep just a few months before and Lizzie knew I was still deeply traumatised. She was so supportive but also explained the hard facts very clearly. Thanks to Petplan Equine I was able to choose the surgery, something that would not have been possible if I had not been insured.”

As Spring Paddocks Equine does not perform emergency colic surgery on site Lizzie contacted the local Avonvale veterinary practice whose colic specialist Melissa Packer was on call that night. Accepting the referral, Mel invited Lizzie to oversee the operation, both vets working together for several hours to save Sunny.

He was found to have a rare type of colic ‘Epiploic foramen entrapment’ when the small intestine pushes through the chest cavity. Happily the operation was successful; Sunny made a miraculous recovery and returned home a week later.

“After a long period of rest and regular visits from Lizzie to check on his progress Sunny was fit to ride again,” said Tracey. “I was extremely nervous given his past behavior. I follow Natural Horsemanship and it really works well with Sunny. He is now one the most relaxed horse on the yard and everybody’s cheeky favourite.

“I’m just so grateful that I have two local vets who put business rivalry aside for the good of the horse. I will be nominating Lizzie for a Petplan Veterinary Award, not only for what she did to save Sunny but also for giving me so much support throughout my previous pony’s illness. She even sent me a condolence card after she died, which meant so much knowing that she genuinely cares for all her patients. She truly is a fantastic and talented vet.”

If your vet or a member of your veterinary practice has shown dedication above and beyond the call of duty why not nominate them for a 2015 Petplan Veterinary Awards. For further information go to: petplanequine.co.uk/vetawards

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For more information please contact:

Name	Telephone	Email
Charlotte Collyer	0208 707 8335	[email protected]

Petplan Equine is the UK's leading horse insurance provider offering a wide variety of flexible horse insurance and rider insurance policies which cater for all levels of experience.

Established more than 20 years ago, Petplan Equine is part of Allianz Insurance, one of the largest general insurers in the world.

For more information about a Petplan Equine horse insurance policy, please visit:
petplanequine.co.uk/insurance/quote.asp

Note to editors:

• Petplan Equine was founded in 1988.
• It is part of Allianz Animal Health, the largest provider of animal health insurance in the world and part of Allianz – one of the largest general insurers in the UK.
• In addition to horse and pony insurance options, Petplan Equine provides dedicated products for veteran horses and rider only insurance cover.
• It is the sister brand of Petplan, the largest provider of small animal insurance in the UK.
• Petplan Equine believes in supporting the equine community and provides more financial support to equestrian sports and activities than any equine insurance provider in the UK.
• The Pet Plan Charitable Trust was founded in 1994 to raise much needed funds for animal welfare and veterinary projects. Money is raised by Petplan and Petplan Equine customers giving an optional £1.50 to the Trust when they take out or renew their policy. To date, almost £5 million has been awarded by the Trust.
• Petplan and Petplan Equine are specialist insurers. As such, the company employs more horse riders and owners than any other and more former veterinary practice staff than any other to ensure the provision of specialist knowledge.
• Redwings Horse Sanctuary is the UK’s largest horse sanctuary, caring for over 1200 rescued horses at its nine sites around the country, with 500 more living in happy Guardian homes across East Anglia. The charity is entirely funded by public donation. Find out more at www.redwings.co.uk.