Karen Coumbe 
Equine Veterinary Nursing 

The breadth and depth of expertise essential for equine
veterinary nursing today is provided in this definitive textbook.
Thoroughly revised and updated in its second edition, and now
fully illustrated in colour. This book covers the content of
the ever-expanding equine nursing syllabus, while still succinctly
covering all the basics that veterinary nurses specialising in
other species need to know. The key subjects included are: basic
equine management, medical and surgical equine nursing, nutrition,
reproduction and foal care, emergency first aid, and the theory
underpinning these and other important topics.

Equine Veterinary Nursing Second Edition is presented in
a clear and user-friendly manner, appropriate for all those
involved in equine nursing. A practical approach is used throughout
and procedures are illustrated with a large number of line diagrams
and clinical photographs. It is an essential manual for all student
and qualified equine veterinary nurses and all those involved in
the care of horses.

KEY FEATURES

* Includes a new chapter on the equine nurse’s professional
responsibilities

* Major revisions to the chapters on diagnostic imaging and
surgical nursing to reflect advances in technology and
techniques

* All information on health and safety management updated in
keeping with new regulations

* Authors include both vets and experienced equine nurses

* Endorsed by the British Equine Veterinary Association

‘With the increasing demands of equine practice has come the
need for well trained and competent equine nurses. There have been
significant improvements in and expansion of the equine Veterinary
Nurse training syllabus over the past few years to meet these
demands. This new and updated edition of Equine Veterinary
Nursing covers all aspects of the new syllabus with well
written and illustrated chapters from a wide range of knowledgable
and experienced authors. The British Equine Veterinary Association
is pleased to endorse this text as a ‘must have’ for all trainee
equine veterinary nurses and their training practices.’
– Deidre M Carson BVSc(Syd) MRCVS

Immediate Past President, BEVA

Table of Content

List of contributors, vii

Foreword, ix

Preface to the second edition, x

Abbreviations and Acronyms, xi

1 Basic equine management, 1

W. Linnenkohl & D.C. Knottenbelt

2 Anatomy and physiology, 25

P.D. Clegg, N. Townsend & R.C. Conwell

3 Genetics, 69

G. Munroe

4 Reproduction, 78

J.F. Pycock

5 Nutrition, 97

P.A. Harris

6 Clinical nutrition, 121

P.A. Harris

7 Basic first aid, 134

M. Smith & S.J. Haylock

8 General nursing, 153

K. Snalune & A. Paton

9 Safety management in the practice, 176

A. Jones & A. Barr

10 The equine nurse’s professional responsibilities,
184

S. Pullen

11 Medicines and their management, 191

C.A. Roberts, L. Loines & K. Tillett

12 Laboratory diagnostics, 201

R.J. Naylor, L.L. Hillyer & M.H. Hillyer

13 Fluid therapy, 226

V.E.N. Copas & J.C. Boswell

14 Medical nursing, 246

J.D. Slater & E.J. Knowles

15 Foal nursing, 286

S.J. Stoneham

16 Equine orthopaedic nursing, 303

E.D. Barr & E. Jones

17 Diagnostic imaging, 332

M.A. Smith, K. Holmes & N. Turley

18 General surgical nursing, 382

S. Boys Smith & B.M. Millar

19 Theatre practice, 407

D.P. Mc Hugh

20 Anaesthesia, 432

J.C. Murrell & V. Ford-Fennah

Index, 461

About the author

Karen Coumbe, MA Vet MB Cert EP Cert VA MRCVS, trained as a
veterinary surgeon at the University of Cambridge and has more than
25 years experience in equine veterinary practice. She has worked
at Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic, an equine hospital in Kent, since
it started, and is responsible for nurse training. She has
been involved in developing the UK’s equine veterinary nursing
qualification and has also been an equine nursing examiner for
the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.