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Clare McKinstry has been my equine vet for almost 10 years during which time she has impressed me with her professionalism and pragmatism incircumstances of both heartbreak and happiness! Her thoroughness and experience combined with acuity of observation inspire confidence. Her direct and candid explanations are balanced with empathy and sensitivity to the client's feelings and circumstances and she takes great pains to present all reasonable options. In particular Clare is my vet of choice for any suspected lameness issues and always for pre purchase examinations (vettings). I know I can rely on her to be rigorous and realistic according to the intended purpose. She has courage of her convictions and is receptive to discussion of any finding and I would defer to her judgement at all times. I have recommended Clare with confidence on several occasions to give a second opinion to my own clients in which situations she always proceeds with courtesy to the incumbent vets.
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Clare has been our vet for almost 10 years. We gained our confidence in her with her pragmatic, common sense approach to her work. She has seen everything with our horses and ponies over the years... vaccinations, sedating for the dentist, Cushing's medication management, foot abcesses, intermittent lamenesses caused by spavin and tendon strains from energetic field explosions on a wet day to name but a few!! However, Clare comes into her own when vetting a new horse, her 'fit for purpose' and buy this horse with your 'head NOT your heart' is her mantra! Equally, I cannot thank Clare enough for guiding me through the diagnosis and long term 12 month rehabilitation of my 19 year old horse of a lifetime with a serious check ligament injury. The initial diagnosis was very difficult and many onlookersfelt that this was the time to retire him. Clare has a great 'bedside manner' explaining the options clearly and without sentiment! Spike is now back in full work and a year of careful re-hab alongside scans and advice every 3 months.
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I can't give enough praise to Clare and the team at Hall Place Equine Veterinary Services. Clare has been absolutely key in treating and rehabilitating my 7 yo Dutch, dressage gelding - she has always been at the end of the phone with really practical advice and has taken time to get to know my horse so any treatment / management advise is always prescribed taking his history and 'quirks' into consideration. Hall Place Equine is the first vets I've worked with where I genuinely feel they are there to get the best outcome for my horse and to help me achieve my riding goals, not just to rack up a big bill. Clare has a strong network of industry experts who she is able to call on for specialist diagnostics when required and is always very collaborative when working with other professionals like my osteo, farrier and trainer, for example. I can't count the number of times that Clare's gone above and beyond and I can honestly say that I wouldn't have a sound and happy horse today without her expertise and support.
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I first met Tony Collins many, many years ago, when he looked after my first heavenly white horse, Impy; over the years, Tony nursed him through two bouts of laminitis and many other ailments, finally helping me make the hardest decision of all and gave Impy the gentlest and most dignified end. Tony also treated my next horse, Harry, until a couple of years ago when Harry was retired. I will always be indebted to Tony for his professionalism and kindness – he spends so much time explaining every aspect of any treatment and indeed, is happy to share his knowledge and experience. I met Clare McKinstry more recently, as she has helped my big boy Rufus literally get back onto his feet after several weeks of lameness. Clare was quick to diagnose his issues, and gave me a very clear and precise rehabilitation programme, which included putting shoes back onto my previously barefoot boy, lots of hacking up hills and water therapy - Rufus is now back in full work and moving with more confidence than ever before. Clare was very sympathetic to my views on barefoot horses, but was also pragmatic and persuaded me that the barefoot route was not suitable at this stage in Rufus’ career. I would not hesitate to recommend Hall Place to anyone looking for vets who will treat their patients and owners with equal respect and kindness.