Farm & Large-Animal Vets near Maidstone

## Summary Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic is an equine-focused practice with a hospital setting used for cases like colic admissions and diagnostic workups (bone scans are specifically mentioned). It also states it offers emergency veterinary services and is a veterinary nurse training facility. From the latest reviews available, owners most often describe: - **Colic management that escalates to hospital care when needed** (one owner describes two vet visits at home before deciding to admit, followed by a 5‑day stay and phone calls afterwards). - **Detailed, unhurried explanations of options and findings** (including talking owners through choices during an emergency and explaining findings while still at the clinic). - **Regular updates during inpatient stays**, including **daily calls** during a bone-scan admission. - **Practical support around stressful situations**, such as help with **insurance claim forms** and even **help loading a horse onto a trailer** on discharge. ## Services - **Emergency veterinary services** (stated by the clinic; reviews describe rapid reassurance by reception and a vet attending an emergency call-out). - **Colic assessment and hospitalisation** (reviews describe colic visits, admission to the hospital, and several days of inpatient care). - **Hospital/inpatient care** (a 5‑day stay described; owners mention ongoing monitoring and follow-up phone calls). - **Diagnostic imaging: bone scans** (one owner describes an inpatient stay for bone scans and receiving results quickly). - **Sedation and pain relief** (used during an emergency rescue situation to keep a horse calm and comfortable while being monitored over several hours). - **Coordination with external services in an emergency** (review describes the vet calling fire and rescue during a horse-extrication incident). - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (stated in the clinic data). ## People - **James (vet)**: mentioned for calm, detailed communication during a colic episode, including visiting twice before hospital admission and talking the owner through everything “in as much detail as needed.” - **Ceri**: mentioned for taking time to talk through options during hospital treatment for colic. - **Liv**: mentioned as part of the hospital team during colic treatment; one owner noticed small handling details (stroking the horse and tidying/plaiting loose mane) that helped them feel at ease during an emergency. - **Amy**: described attending an emergency quickly, assessing the situation, arranging additional help, and monitoring a horse for hours with sedation and painkillers during a rescue. - **Reception team**: mentioned for reassuring owners during emergencies, explaining processes clearly (including insurance claim paperwork), and generally being helpful during visits. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.7 stars from 197 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Emergency response and crisis handling**: examples include a vet attending an urgent call-out quickly, keeping a horse comfortable for hours during a rescue, and hospital-based treatment that an owner says saved their horse. - **Communication that owners can follow under stress**: multiple reviews describe staff explaining findings and options clearly, with time for questions, plus follow-up phone contact beyond the immediate visit. - **Inpatient updates and continuity**: daily calls during a bone-scan stay are specifically mentioned, along with quick turnaround on results. - **Cost and “what happens next” clarity**: one owner says they were kept well-informed about costs during colic treatment; another mentions help navigating insurance claim forms. - **Facility and visit experience details**: reviews mention “superb facilities,” being seen in a timely manner, and being offered refreshments while waiting.

## Summary Kent Equine Hospital is an **independent, 100% equine clinic** (horses, ponies and donkeys) with **full hospital and surgical facilities** and **its own emergency cover (not outsourced)**. Based on the website and recent reviews, it appears set up for both **hospital-based procedures** (including surgery and endoscopy/scoping) and **ambulatory “zone visits”**, alongside longer-running work such as **lameness and breeding/reproductive support**. Reviewers repeatedly mention **clear, regular communication during procedures**, **urgent emergency attendance for suspected colic**, and **follow-up action plans** after care. ## Services - **Emergency care (in-house, not outsourced)**, described as providing continuous medical care; reviews include a call-out for **colic symptoms** with attendance **within the hour**, followed by **action plans and follow-ups**. - **Surgery** (website lists surgery; review mentions a **small surgery** for a yearling handled with ongoing updates). - **Internal medicine**, with listed specialty interests including **cardiology** and **ophthalmology**. - **Gastroscopy/scoping**: a reviewer describes a **scope to check for ulcers**. - **Dentistry**, including **teeth extractions** mentioned in reviews. - **Lameness** work (listed on the website); reviews also mention care for **laminitis**. - **Reproductive services**: a reviewer references support for a **breeding programme**. - **Pre-purchase examinations** (listed on the website). - **Laparoscopy** and **orthopaedic surgery** are listed as specialty areas. - **Equine health plans** (listed, with no further details provided). - **Veterinary nurse training facility** (from clinic data). ## People - **Katie (also referred to as “Dr Katie” in reviews)**: mentioned for overseeing a yearling’s **surgery** with “regular communication and clear advice,” and for **breeding programme** guidance described as “invaluable.” - **Olivia (vet)**: credited with handling an **emergency colic call-out**, being “brilliant” with both horse and owner, and contributing to **ongoing care plans and follow-ups**. - **Alison (phone/reception)**: mentioned for being **efficient** and **reassuring on the phone** during an emergency call. ## Reviews **Google rating: 4.5 stars from 69 reviews.** **Themes below are drawn from the latest written reviews available to us.** - **Emergency response and continuity of care:** one owner reports an emergency visit for suspected **colic within the hour**, followed by **action plans and follow-up**. - **Procedures and hospital work:** owners mention a **yearling surgery**, **ulcer investigation via scope**, and **teeth extractions**. - **Communication during treatment:** reviews repeatedly describe **regular updates**, **clear advice**, and staff reassuring owners during stressful situations. - **Facilities and overall experience:** “lovely facilities” and positive comments about the team “from reception” through to vets are specifically mentioned.

## Summary Equicall South Eastern Regional Hub is an equine-only service set up in October 2018 by two equine vets, Ian Bellis and James Hopkins. Based on the clinic’s own description, it is focused specifically on providing out-of-hours equine veterinary cover (rather than routine daytime work), positioning it for urgent and emergency horse care outside standard hours. ## Services - Out-of-hours equine veterinary care (described as an “out of hours business for equine veterinary services”). - Emergency/out-of-hours cover for horses (no further details on scope—e.g., call-out vs. hospitalisation—are stated in the available information). ## People - **Ian Bellis** (equine vet; co-founder): Named on the clinic website as one of the two vets who set up Equicall in October 2018. - **James Hopkins** (equine vet; co-founder): Named on the clinic website as the other co-founder, involved in researching and developing the out-of-hours service model over several years.