- The Barn
- Our Story
Our Story
- Routine
- Advanced
- Mobile
- Emergency
why choose us?
We deliver highly experienced & exemplary equine patient care in Dorset, Hampshire & Wiltshire
We take pride in being an independently owned practice, with management decisions made by our veterinarians rather than venture capitalists, ensuring the best equine care for our clients in Dorset, Hampshire, and Wiltshire. Committed to providing 24/7 coverage, we have maintained the same level of service since the practice’s founding in 1951, ensuring our emergency vets have access to your horse’s medical notes and can communicate with your regular vet if needed. Unlike corporate providers, we prioritise local, prompt responses to emergencies without requiring payment upfront.
Full equine care and support services & facilities
- Fully equipped mobile visiting service
- Rapid response 24 hour equine emergency cover
- Full equine dental service (BEVA/BVDA* accredited)
- Reproduction (BEVA* registered centre for Artificial Insemination)
- Full surgical and medical facilities
- Advanced/remedial farriery
- Physiotherapy assessments and referrals
- Preventative healthcare packages
- Competitive prices
State-of-the-art equine care facilities at The Barn including
- Wide range of diagnostic and surgical equipment in a modern hospital style clinic
- 12 modern stables and 24 hour nursing accommodation
- Large concrete area for lameness investigations
- Car park large enough for lorries and trailers
- 40m x 20m manege for ridden assessments and lunging
A professional and engaged team of professionals
- 7 veterinary surgeons
- 3 qualified nurses
- 1 trainee nurses
- all dedicated to providing routine, advanced and emergency care for your horse 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
- expertise in specialist areas including equine dentistry, vetting’s, wound and orthopaedic surgery, lameness investigation and treatment, internal medicine including gastroscopy and colic surgery
our facilities
Practice gallery
Our history
Milestones in Equine Care:
A journey through our veterinary practice
1951
Established 1951
The Barn Equine Surgery began in Ringwood in 1951 as a mixed practice under Mr. John Broughton, who provided 24/7 coverage as the sole practitioner. Located in Cedar House on Southampton Road, the practice catered to equines, farm animals, and pets, reflecting the typical rural veterinary model of the time. Over the years, it evolved to focus exclusively on equine care, establishing its reputation in the field.
1970's
Equine only
In the 1970s, John sold the farm and pet practice to his partners, allowing Broughton and Partners to focus exclusively on equine care at Fetlocks in Shobley. The practice became known for treating a variety of local horses, including polo ponies, hunters, and show jumpers, using innovative methods like chloroform masks for anaesthesia. Additionally, an equine laboratory was established, and the practice was involved with the New Forest Pony breed.
1970's cont...
All equine events great and small
The practice was asked to provide cover an many equine events including Salisbury Racecourse, the New Forest and Hampshire County Show, New Forest polo tournaments and the Ringwood and Ellingham Show. Involvement with these continues to the present day with the practice still covering all these and more. We cover Sand Polo at Sandbanks, all the meetings at Taunton Racecourse, Endurance Rides, local Point to Points, meetings at Wincanton and this year Army Polo at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.
1984
The American connection and current location
In 1984, Dr. Lowell Parsons, an American with diverse experience, partnered with Jon Broughton, who retired in 1990 but continued working at the practice. That same year, Lowell moved the practice to its current location at Three Legged Cross and established dedicated inpatient facilities, a purpose-built operating theater, and an in-house laboratory. With a keen interest in stud work, Lowell developed an AI service while caring for various Thoroughbred, Arab, and New Forest Pony studs, enabling clients to choose from Sports Horse stallions worldwide.
1994
The end of the Millenium
In 1994, Martin Peaty became a partner with Lowell, and the practice was renamed The Barn Equine Surgery, with Lowell retiring at the end of 1995. Under Martin's leadership, the practice rapidly expanded, with the number of veterinary surgeons and clients quadrupling by the Millennium, alongside a commitment to post-graduate education for staff. Facilities and technology, including an in-house laboratory, advanced surgical tools, ultrasound scanners, and computerised gait analysis equipment, have continuously evolved to ensure top-quality care for local horses and referrals.
2000 - persent day
Into the 21st Century
The practice has grown to seven vets and upgraded facilities, now featuring 12 stables, a three-room theatre suite with advanced surgical equipment, and a dedicated dental treatment room. Since joining, partners Nenad Zilic and Amy Reynolds have enhanced services, introducing gamma scintigraphy and advanced dentistry, while Jon Vickery and Helen have brought expertise in eventing, export certification, and stud work. As a British Equine Veterinary Association-approved centre for AI and a training facility for veterinary nursing, the practice is committed to future growth and excellence in equine care.
barn equine surgery
Exclusive member benefits
In addition to receiving the highest quality equine veterinary care, see how being registered with us will benefit you and your horse.
Loyalty reward scheme
Fancy a free visit? Find out more with our loyalty reward scheme.
Special offers
See our event diary for our current special offers.
Order hassle-free repeat prescriptions online
Order your prescription online here, if there are updates our vets will call you back.
Free non-urgent advice by email
Contact us for free, non-urgent, advice . One of our vets will be in touch.
Free online resources in our Horse Health Hub
Head over to our Horse Health Hub for up-to-date information on a whole range of equine topics.
Access to client evenings & expert talks
Book a free place on one of our fantastic evening talks.
Explore
The Horse Health Hub
Our Hub is packed full of information and resources to assist your knowledge and understanding of providing high standards of care for your horse.
Request
Prescriptions Online
The current prescription price is £30.53 and will give you a six-month supply per medication. For full details including T&C’s please click the link below.
Join us
Client Event Evenings
We run regular events on a wide range of topics throughout the year – a fantastic opportunity to interact and learn from us and our excellent guest speakers.
