Emergency Equine Vets in Cheshire
Calm, capable care in critical moments
Available 24/7, 365 Days a Year
If your horse requires urgent veterinary attention:
CALL NOW — 24 HOURS A DAY
+44 (0) 1260 545 777
When your horse needs urgent care, every minute matters.
Seven Hills Equine provides dedicated emergency and out-of-hours veterinary cover for registered clients across Cheshire and the surrounding region — one call to our main number and the duty vet is on their way.
Emergency Cover Areas
Seven Hills Equine is based in Cheshire and provides emergency equine veterinary services across the region, including:
Cheshire East and Cheshire West
South Manchester and Stockport
North Shropshire
Staffordshire
Parts of West Derbyshire and the Peak District fringe
If you are outside these areas and unsure whether we can reach you, call us — we will always try to help or direct you to the nearest available emergency cover.
When to Call an Emergency Equine Vet
If you are unsure whether your horse needs emergency care, call us. It is always better to seek advice early.
The following situations require immediate veterinary attention:
Suspected colic — pawing, rolling, looking at flanks, refusing to eat
Severe or sudden lameness — non-weight-bearing, or rapid deterioration
Eye injuries or sudden cloudiness, discharge, or swelling of the eye
Wounds that are deep, won't stop bleeding, or are near a joint or tendon
Choke — food material at the nostrils, repeated swallowing, distress
Collapse, seizure, or extreme weakness
Respiratory distress — laboured breathing, flared nostrils at rest
Signs of severe allergic reaction — hives, swelling of the face or neck
When in doubt, call. Our team would rather talk you through a situation that turns out to be non-urgent than have you delay when time is critical.
Colic Emergencies
Colic is one of the most common — and potentially most serious — equine emergencies. It refers to abdominal pain that can range from mild discomfort to life-threatening intestinal obstruction or displacement.
Signs that require an immediate call include: persistent rolling or pawing, refusal to eat or drink, elevated heart rate, absence of gut sounds on one or both sides, and failure to pass droppings. Do not wait to see if it passes on its own.
Seven Hills Equine will assess your horse on-site, perform abdominal auscultation, rectal examination where indicated, and nasogastric intubation if required. Where referral to a surgical facility is needed, we will coordinate this promptly.
Severe or Sudden Lameness
A horse that is suddenly non-weight-bearing, or that deteriorates rapidly from mild to severe lameness, should be seen as an emergency. Causes can include fracture, joint infection (septic arthritis), penetrating foot wounds, severe laminitis, or tendon and ligament injury.
Early intervention is critical. A penetrating wound near a joint or synovial structure that is not treated within hours carries a significantly worse prognosis. If you find your horse with a sudden severe lameness, restrict their movement and call us immediately.
Eye Injuries & Ocular Emergencies
Equine eye conditions can deteriorate rapidly and lead to permanent vision loss if not treated promptly. Corneal ulceration, uveitis, trauma, and foreign bodies are among the most common presentations.
Call us urgently if your horse shows: excessive tearing or discharge, a closed or partially closed eye, cloudiness or a blue-white haze over the eye, sensitivity to light, or visible trauma. Protect the eye from further contamination and avoid applying any medication unless advised by a vet.
Choke (Oesophageal Obstruction)
Unlike human choking, equine choke is an oesophageal obstruction rather than a tracheal one — your horse can still breathe. However, it is distressing and requires prompt veterinary attention to prevent complications such as aspiration pneumonia.
Signs include: food material or green discharge from the nostrils, repeated stretching of the neck and swallowing, drooling, and obvious distress. Remove all food and water, keep the horse calm and as low-headed as possible, and call us immediately. Do not attempt to dislodge the obstruction yourself.
Wounds and Trauma
Not all wounds require emergency attention, but some do — and the wrong assessment can have serious consequences. Call us immediately if:
The wound is near or over a joint, tendon sheath, or the foot
Bleeding is severe or cannot be controlled with gentle pressure
The wound is deep, has penetrated muscle, or bone is visible
The wound is more than a few hours old and appears contaminated
The horse is showing signs of significant pain or systemic illness
For wounds over joints or tendon sheaths, contamination risk is extreme — these must be treated as emergencies regardless of apparent severity. Apply a clean, non-compressive dressing if available and restrict movement while waiting for us.
Emergency Euthanasia
We understand that the decision to end a horse's suffering is one of the most difficult any owner can face. When a horse is in uncontrollable pain or has suffered a catastrophic injury, humane euthanasia is sometimes the kindest and most responsible course of action.
Seven Hills Equine is available 24 hours a day to attend and perform euthanasia with care, dignity, and respect — for your horse and for you. We will support you through the process and help with further arrangements.
What happens when you call Seven Hills Equine
Our emergency process is designed to be as straightforward as possible when you are under pressure:
Call +44 (0) 1260 545 777 — available 24 hours, 365 days a year
Outside normal working hours, your call automatically diverts to the duty vet
Our vet will triage your horse's condition over the phone and advise on immediate steps
We will give you an estimated arrival time and stay in contact en route
On arrival, your horse receives a full clinical examination and appropriate treatment on-site
Where referral to a specialist centre or hospital is required, we coordinate this directly
Important note
Our emergency service is available to registered clients. We recommend registering before you need us, as registering you and your horse(s) can take around 15–20 minutes. Completing this in advance avoids unnecessary delays and allows us to focus on getting to you and your horse as quickly as possible when you need us most.
If you are not yet registered, please let us know when you call and we will do our best to assist while discussing registration with you.
Out-of-hours fee note
Out-of-hours emergency visits — including a general examination and irrespective of mileage — are charged at £210 (inc. VAT). Additional treatments, medications, and diagnostic procedures are charged separately.
Need help with your horse?
Access 24/7 Emergency Cover — Register Your Horse Today
Emergency cover is available to registered clients of Seven Hills Equine. Registration is free and takes only a few minutes — once registered, you gain immediate access to our 24/7 emergency line, dedicated health records, and annual health reminders.
FAQ’s
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Emergency cover is primarily for registered clients, which ensures we have your horse's clinical history and contact details on file. If you are not yet registered, please call us anyway — we will always try to assist and can complete registration over the phone if needed.
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Our current out-of-hours emergency visit fee is £210 (inc. VAT), which covers attendance and a general clinical examination regardless of distance. Any treatments, medications, or diagnostic procedures are charged in addition to this.
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Response times depend on location and the duty vet's current commitments. Our vet will give you an estimated arrival time when you call and will keep you updated en route.
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Keep your horse as calm and still as possible. Remove food and water unless advised otherwise. For wounds, apply a clean, non-compressive dressing. For colic, allow the horse to adopt a comfortable position but prevent violent rolling. If safe, gentle hand walking whilst you wait may help the horse relax. Follow any guidance the duty vet gives you over the phone.
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Yes. Where on-site treatment is insufficient or referral to a surgical or specialist facility is needed, we will coordinate this directly and advise you on the best available option.