Nestled deep in the New Forest, staff are celebrating 95 years of caring for animals at the picturesque Seadown Vets this year.
These incredible pictures give a rare glimpse into how times have changed since the practice first opened in 1923, from its humble beginnings above a bakery to a major animal hospital with three branches and a staff of 60.
The fascinating images depict a horse auction underway in 1958, when Seadown was the practice of choice here for pony breeders – with more recent pictures showing how developments in science and technology have changed their practise beyond all recognition.
Former jockey turned photographer and MD of the practice, Richard Dunwoody, gave FEMAIL an insight into how much practices have changed over the past 95 years
Quaint veterinary practice Seadown Vets in the picturesque New Forest has serviced its local animals for almost a century since opening in 1923 (seen in 2018)
The practice is seen in 1974 when the Seadown Kennels (and bungalow) were purchased and the new hospital was built and is now celebrating its 95th anniversary
‘When the practice first started X-rays, ultrasounds, blood testing and ultrasound equipment didn’t exist for us to diagnose patients,’ he said. ‘We had no antibiotics of other drugs but now things are so much more advanced.
‘We even use laser a lot for wound healing and pain relief, but some traditions remain in place and we use acupuncture which has been around for years.’
The practice has a strong family ethos, being run by 11 staff members who are related to each other and one vet, Jean Williams, who has worked there for 53 years, first joining in 1965 .
Richard shared a glimpse into the day-to-day running of Seadown through the years.
Veterinary nurse Jean Williams has worked at Seadown for 53 years, first joining in 1965 (pictured in the 1960s, left, and this year, right)
Seadown is the practice of choice here for pony breeders, and is deeply embedded in the forest ways and activities (horse auction seen in 1958)
Seadown Vets makes the veterinary inspections at the New Forest pony sales, which first started at much the same time as Seadown itself (seen in 2017)
The staff share a love of horses and enjoy riding (staff seen riding during the 1980s)
Registered breeders take wild ponies from the New Forest, before taming them and selling them on after they have gone through health checks (staff seen with a stallion last year)
The practice treats an array of animals including this hedgehog which was brought in by local people who found it in a distressed condition
This sharp-clawed raccoon is owned by locals who have three and brought him in for a routine health check
‘The New Forest practice area is a magical place of ancient woodland, open moors, beautiful glades and heath-land walks’, Peter Tunney, BVMS senior equine vet said
‘One of the most involved and rewarding cases I have been involved with was treating a race horse with a huge hole in its suspensory ligament which was potential career ending. We harvested bone marrow and stem cells were grown and implanted into the core lesion’: Laura Trigg, one of Seadown Equines experienced Advanced Practitioners said
‘It is still one of the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture and heath land in the UK where ponies, cattle, donkeys and deer roam free’, Peter Tunney, BVMS senior equine vet said
Morpheous, a 1 year-old Ragdoll cat was hit by car and left with swollen and bruised forelimbs and a dislocated jaw – he made a full recovery using laser treatment
Dr Ami Wright who joined the Seadown 2 years ago and is following her dream to be an equine vet (pictured holding an 8 week old puppy called Diesel)
Vet Ellen Similon seen holding an 8 week old brown spaniel puppy during its very first routine health check
Two great Danes belong to Sue Bevis, the Seadown Head of Stock, are seen visiting with her husband for a health check
The Seadown receptionist is seen greeting a new golden retriever patient
A dog with a swollen leg is treated by one of the head vets at the practice
A bewildered pooch looks on suspiciously as he is checked up on by a vet
This photogenic pup was given the all clear after a routine check up by the vet
Humans aren’t the only ones that need eye checks, as this spaniel soon found out
This poorly Labrador was put on a drip after suffering a broken leg but was cared for by a trio
Hello! This plush pooch was sure to introduce itself in person as it registered with the vet
A bit of TLC was given to this poorly tomcat as he was aided on his way to recovery
One dog was given the VIP treatment as he underwent a routine eye check
This poorly little hedgehog was placed on a warm cushion as vets tried to figure out why he was feeling poorly after being found by passers-by in a bush
Quaint veterinary practice Seadown Vets in the picturesque New Forest has serviced its local animals for almost a century since opening in 1923 (seen in 2018)