Horse guides & advice

Health & veterinary care

At Petplan Equine, we understand that caring for a horse involves much more than reacting when something goes wrong. Backed by expert veterinary insight and years of equine knowledge, our health and veterinary care guidance is designed to help you make informed decisions, support your horse's wellbeing, and feel confident in every stage of their care.

Equine first aid - do you know the basics?

Petplan Equine veterinary expert Gil Riley explains how you can help your horse in a crisis, before the vet arrives.

Equine grass sickness 101: How to protect your horse

Equine grass sickness is a debilitating, often fatal disease affecting horses, ponies and donkeys of all ages and types. Here’s what you need to know, including how to protect your horse.

When should you retire your horse?

Knowing when to retire your horse can be difficult. Find out how to spot the signs that it’s time, and how to give your horse a healthy, happy life beyond the saddle.

More guides & advice from Petplan Equine

Buying & loaning advice

Behaviour & wellbeing

Daily care & management

Performance & training

Guide to Colic for horse owners

Colic can be a horse owner's worst nightmare, but it’s also one of the most common health problems that our horses can suffer from. Knowing the signs can help you recognise this condition and act quickly to help your horse recover.

How to give your horse the best care in winter

The cold and wet winter months are always a challenge for horse owners. Not only does mud, driving rain and freezing temperatures suck the joy out of trips to the yard, but they can cause health issues, too.

Common horse winter skin conditions

We asked Petplan Equine veterinary expert Gil Riley to share his tips on tackling common winter skin conditions, such as rain scald and mud fever, and on how to keep your horse healthy throughout the colder months.

Equine colitis

Colitis in horses is one of the most challenging conditions to treat. Petplan Equine veterinary expert Gil Riley explains what the condition is, the symptoms to look out for, and how it can be treated.

Equine first aid

Petplan Equine veterinary expert Gil Riley explains how you can help your horse in a crisis, before the vet arrives.

How to keep your horse hydrated in winter

Petplan Equine vet Juliette Edmonds discusses why it’s important for horses to drink in the winter and explains how to hydrate a horse.

How to spot a horse in pain

Learn how to recognise subtle signs of pain in horses, including symptoms of back pain and hock pain, to support early diagnosis and improve your horse’s wellbeing.

Kissing spine in horses

We delve into the symptoms of kissing spines in horses to uncover how they are caused – and how they can be treated.

Understanding locking stifle in horses

Locking stifles is surprisingly common, and if it affects your horse it can look alarming. But what causes the condition, and are there any treatments available? Petplan Equine vet Gil Riley unlocks the key facts.

19 releases in total

Petplan Equine is a trading name of Pet Plan Limited (Registered in England and Wales with company number 1282939) and Allianz Insurance plc (Registered in England and Wales with company number 84638). Pet Plan Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Allianz Insurance plc is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority reference number 121849. Registered address: 15 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 3AR