AN INDEPENDENT EQUINE VET REFERRAL SERVICE IN SCOTLAND

Referral relationships built on trust

At Loch Leven Equine Practice, we are here to welcome you and support both you and your clients. We know that successful, long-term referrals are built on strong, trusted relationships with referring practices, and maintaining and strengthening those relationships is central to everything we do.

Our role is to support first-opinion practices, not replace them. Your client remains your client, and every part of our referral process is designed to complement your care, keep you informed and strengthen the relationship you have built with them.

We value the trust you place in us and work collaboratively with you to ensure every referral provides the best possible outcome for both horse and owner.

Vets can make a referral by completing this online form. If you need to make a referral out of office hours please call 07789 684245 and our team will be happy to help.
Vet Referrals
In most cases it is normal for your own vet to request a referral to us. However there may be occasions when you would like to self-refer or request a second opinion. 
Self Referrals

Why choose us?

Referral relationships built on trust.

Whether you need a quick second opinion, imaging interpretation, case discussion or full referral support, our team is always approachable, collaborative and happy to help. Protecting and strengthening trusted relationships with referring practices sits at the heart of how we work.

What makes us different

Independent thinking with personalised support.

As an independent equine hospital, clinical decisions are driven by what is best for the horse, owner and referring vet relationship, not corporate structures, targets or teaching priorities.

Multiple certificate holders

Led by Hugh Somerville BVSc Cert AVP (ESO) (VDI) MRCVS – Advanced Practitioner in Equine Surgery (Orthopaedics) & Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging is the only vet in the UK to hold both certificates, offering unique expertise in orthopaedics, imaging and surgical intervention in poor performance and lameness work ups.

ADVANCED EXPERTISE WHEN YOU NEED IT

Whether you need a quick second opinion, imaging interpretation, case discussion or full referral support, our team is always approachable, collaborative and happy to help with advice when you need it, and referrals when you want them.

We understand the value of a good referral service, and we pride ourselves in direct vet-to-vet communication before, during and after the case, with practical discussion, shared decision making and rapid reporting, so you always feel informed, involved and supported.

We offer surgery 24 hours a day, 365 days a year under General Anaesthetic. We provide a comprehensive range of surgical procedures under standing sedation and other medical and orthopaedic services, including performance and lameness work-ups.

CONTINUED SUPPORT

Vets can make a referral by completing this online form.

If you need to make a referral out of office hours please call 07789 684245 and our team will be happy to help.

SENIOR SURGEON

Hugh Somerville BVSc Cert AVP (ESO) (VDI) MRCVS

RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Equine Surgery – Orthopaedics & Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging

Since qualifying in 1997, Hugh has always worked in equine practices. These have all had surgical and in-patient facilities and so much of his time has been spent developing this interest. This has included attending specialist surgery courses in Germany, Switzerland and the USA as well as at home in the UK.

Hugh then pursued this further and was amongst the first group in the UK to study for and receive the Advanced Certificate in Equine Orthopaedic Surgery. Hugh is recognised by the RCVS as an Advanced Practitioner in both Equine Surgery – Orthopaedics and Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging meaning that referring vets can be assured Hugh will continue to be up to date in this field with the extra CPD required above the RCVS minimum requirement. 

Hugh is supported by a team other Certificate holders and Advanced Practitioners and dedicated equine only Vets and Nurses.

EASY ACCESS FROM ALL PARTS OF SCOTLAND

Advanced interpretation of diagnostics, surgery and hospitalisation with easy access off the M90.

The practice was founded in 2005 and is the only family-run, independent private practice in Scotland with surgical facilities. Since 2013 the team has been working from our purpose-built surgical facility, ideally located 1 mile off the M90, near Kinross.

As an independent equine hospital, clinical decisions are driven by what is best for the horse, owner and referring vet relationship, not corporate structures, targets or teaching priorities.

Referring vets are always welcome to discuss cases, visit the hospital, observe procedures or continue shared involvement in complex cases if they wish.

EQUINE VETERINARY REFERRAL

The purpose-built padded knock-down box has a swinging crush door for safer anaesthetic inductions as well as a rope recovery system which is invaluable in making the recovery from anaesthesia as safe as we can.  The operating theatre as a specialized Haico Telgte table, an equine specific anaesthetic circuit and ventilator along with all the monitoring equipment our fully trained veterinary anaesthetist use to reduce the risks associated with anaesthesia in horses.

Much more surgery is performed under standing sedation and the Clinic also has excellent facilities for this, with a sealed non-slip rubberized floor in the exam rooms, and stocks and a gantry mounted x-ray generator in the main examination room.

We currently have 5 indoor Lodden stables and 4 outside stables. The facilities enable us to provide inpatient care and a medical and surgical service for both routine and emergency cases 24 hours a day.

In addition, the clinic allows for a complete lameness examination as we have a combination of fenced soft and hard lunge circles, an indoor trot-up and a loading ramp – all managed by nursing staff who are excellent at compassionately and safely handling all sizes and types of horses.

The practice prioritizes investing in new technology, equipment and training ensuring our team can provide a gold standard specialist equine service.

EQUINE VETERINARY REFERRAL SERVICES

We provide planned and emergency surgical care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with procedures performed under general anaesthesia or standing sedation where appropriate.

Alongside our surgical services, we also welcome diagnostic referrals and second opinions, with our Advanced Practitioner-led team providing expert advice, investigation and treatment tailored to each case.

If you are looking for a procedure or support that isn’t on the list, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.

  • Arthroscopy
    • Septic joints, tendon sheath and bursa (including navicular bursa)
    • OCD chips
    • Stifle, fetlock, coffin, tarsal and carpal joint arthroscopy
    • Tendon sheath (including annular ligament desmotomy)
    • Navicular bursoscopy
  • Closed castration
  • Sarcoids (SMART surgery, laser surgery)
  • Hernia repair
  • Check ligament desmotomy
  • Periosteal strip and physeal stimulation
  • Penile amputation and urethrotomy
  • Lateral plantar neurectomy and fasciotomy
  • Palmar digital neurectomy
  • Ruptured bladder (foals)
  • Splint bone amputation
  • Alar fold resection
  • Enucleation
  • Sinoscopy
  • Sinus Surgery (incl bone flaps)
  • Kissing Spines – Interspinous Ligament Desmotomy & DSP resection
  • Pedal bone resection, sepsis and keratoma
  • Molar extractions, including ‘MTE’s
  • Diastema flushing and widening
  • Infundibular Caries
  • Liver biopsy
  • Laser Surgery for sarcoids, melanoma
  • Colic (eg impactions, displacements),
  • Foal care
  • Weight loss investigation
  • Gastroscope
  • Guttural Pouch disease
  • Lameness evaluation
  • Poor performance
  • Remedial Farriery
  • Radiographic interpretation
  • Arthroscopy
    • Septic joints, tendon sheath and bursa (including navicular bursa)
    • OCD chips
    • Stifle, fetlock, coffin, tarsal and carpal joint arthroscopy
    • Tendon sheath (including annular ligament desmotomy)
    • Navicular bursoscopy
  • Closed castration
  • Sarcoids (SMART surgery, laser surgery)
  • Hernia repair
  • Check ligament desmotomy
  • Periosteal strip and physeal stimulation
  • Penile amputation and urethrotomy
  • Lateral plantar neurectomy and fasciotomy
  • Palmar digital neurectomy
  • Ruptured bladder (foals)
  • Splint bone amputation
  • Alar fold resection
  • Enucleation
  • Sinoscopy
  • Sinus Surgery (incl bone flaps)
  • Kissing Spines – Interspinous Ligament Desmotomy & DSP resection
  • Pedal bone resection, sepsis and keratoma
  • Molar extractions, including ‘MTE’s
  • Diastema flushing and widening
  • Infundibular Caries
  • Liver biopsy
  • Laser Surgery for sarcoids, melanoma
  • Colic (eg impactions, displacements),
  • Foal care
  • Weight loss investigation
  • Gastroscope
  • Guttural Pouch disease
  • Lameness evaluation
  • Poor performance
  • Remedial Farriery
  • Radiographic interpretation
Vets can make a referral by completing this online form. If you need to make a referral out of office hours please call 07789 684245 and our team will be happy to help.
Vet Referrals
In most cases it is normal for your own vet to request a referral to us. However there may be occasions when you would like to self-refer or request a second opinion. 
Self Referrals