Equine Medical Center

06/18/2025

In honor of National here are some tips on how to make your vets feel appreciated- so they can continue to take care of your horses with compassion, expertise, and efficiency.

Today is ! Join us in celebrating all the veterinary professionals that help our animals (especially our horses) live long, happy and healthy lives.

If you are looking for ways to say “thank you” to your veterinary team, there are plenty of options. However, it’s very possible that the best way to thank your horse doctors and equine vet techs is to make their job easier.

Some small things can make the biggest difference; check out this graphic for a few simple ways you can ease the strain on your veterinarians and show them your appreciation. No matter how you choose to say thank you today, there is no doubt you will brighten your vet team’s day!

Lastly, show some love for your veterinarian in the comments below and tag them, some words of encouragement and appreciation are sure to bring a smile to their face! ⬇️

06/03/2025

We are incredibly excited to announce that we have grown!! Please welcome our newest veterinarian, Dr. Meg Branning!

Dr. Meg Branning was born and raised in the heart of New Jersey horse country but has spent the last 13 years in Georgia. She obtained a BS and MS in Animal Science both from the University of Georgia and eventually earned her “Triple Dawg” status with her DVM from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, she completed an equine internship at Tryon Equine Hospital focusing on equine medicine and surgery and also became an FEI treating veterinarian. She has since returned to Georgia to continue her equine adventures with Equine Medical Center starting in June.

Dr. Branning’s primary interests are lameness/sports medicine, and emergency medicine. She also enjoys spending time with her husband and dogs and spoiling her retired blood donor horse, Liam.

01/09/2025

❄️❄️COLD WEATHER PSA ❄️ ❄️

We at Equine Medical Center will still be responding to emergency calls for our established clients as we are able to safely do so, but please use these tips to prevent and prepare for any equine emergencies!

❄️Make sure your water tanks are full & accessible at all times! This means checking automatic waters to ensure they’re not frozen, chipping ice, and/or using a bucket/tank heater.

❄️Top dress feed and/or hay with commercial equine electrolytes or a couple teaspoons of table salt. This will encourage more water consumption throughout the day.

❄️If you feed grain or cubes, SOAK them! This will ensure your horse gets some extra hydration when it’s not enticing to drink cold water. Also, do NOT introduce new hay or grains during cold periods, as this can contribute to colic.

❄️Keep emergency supplies on hand. This includes banamine, bute, bandage material, and neopolybac ophthalmic ointment, which should be used as directed by your veterinarian in the event that we are delayed responding to calls.

❄️Have a plan! Have an established veterinary relationship & know your options for emergency care- including having access to a trailer to haul if necessary.

12/14/2024

Happy ✨National Day of the Horse!✨

Today (and every day) we celebrate our equine athletes and companions. Drop a photo in the comments of a horse you celebrate! 👇🏼

12/04/2024

It’s beginning to look (and feel) a lot like Christmas! Here are some essential precautions to help keep your horse ✨merry & bright✨ during this seasonal transition:

🎄Make sure your water tanks are full & accessible at all times! This means checking automatic waters to ensure they’re not frozen, chipping ice, and/or using a bucket/tank heater.

🎄If you feed grain or cubes, SOAK them! This will ensure your horse gets some extra hydration when it’s not enticing to drink cold water.

🎄Top dress feed and/or hay with commercial equine electrolytes or a couple teaspoons of table salt. This will encourage more water consumption throughout the day.

🎄If you notice decreased f***l output, decreased water consumption, lethargy, and/or inappetence, consult with your vet sooner rather than later! Colic symptoms often begin subtle.

🎄If your horses are clipped, very young/very old, or grow a poor winter coat, consider blanketing them.

🎄Have a plan! Have an established veterinary relationship & know your options for emergency care!

03/31/2024

Happy Easter to all of our wonderful clients!

Spring is in the air, which means foaling and breeding season is in full swing! 🌸🐣🌱

Let’s see those cute foal pics!

01/17/2024

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING (A FOAL) 🐴

If your mare has made it through 11 months of pregnancy, you're almost there. Labor and delivery, while momentous, are generally uncomplicated — however, being a prepared and informed owner will help you keep your anxiety in check so you can assist the new mother and foal get off to a great start.

Here are some things you can do to prepare for the arrival of the foal:

• Consult with your veterinarian well in advance of the birth. Know how to reach your regular veterinarian after hours and ask about a back-up or referring veterinarian in case your regular horse doctor is not available.

• Clean and disinfect the stall as thoroughly as possible. Provide adequate bedding.

• Wash the mare's udder, v***a and hindquarters with a mild soap and rinse thoroughly.

• Wrap the mare's tail with a clean wrap when you observe the first stage of labor. Be sure that the wrap is not applied too tightly or left on too long, as it can cut off circulation and permanently damage the tail.

• Time each stage of labor, to help you keep accurate track of the mare's progress. Take written notes! When you're worried or anxious, your perception of time can become distorted.

As always, these are general guidelines and you should contact your veterinarian for more information specific to your situation. Good luck!

01/02/2024

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! Looking forward to continuing to serve you and your equine partners in 2024! ✨🐎

11/23/2023

Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁

Every day, but today in particular, we are so very thankful for each and every one of our amazing clients and their horses! Thank you for trusting us with your beloved friends and athletes!

Drop a pic in the comments of a horse you’re thankful for! 🐴❤️👇🏼

10/31/2023

🎃What’s SpOoOoKiEr than Halloween??🎃

❄️This incoming TEMPERATURE DROP!! ❄️

HERE👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼 are some tips to keeping your horses healthy during this seasonal transition:

👻Make sure your water tanks are full & accessible at all times! This means checking automatic waters to ensure they’re not frozen, chipping ice, and/or using a bucket/tank heater.

👻If you feed grain or cubes, SOAK them! This will ensure your horse gets some extra hydration when it’s not enticing to drink cold water.

👻Top dress feed and/or hay with commercial equine electrolytes or a couple teaspoons of table salt. This will encourage more water consumption throughout the day.

👻If you notice decreased f***l output, decreased water consumption, lethargy, and/or inappetence, consult with your vet sooner rather than later! Colic symptoms often begin subtle.

👻If your horses are clipped, very young/very old, or grow a poor winter coat, consider blanketing them.

👻Have a plan! Have an established veterinary relationship & know your options for emergency care!

10/27/2023

Fall is officially in full swing! Now is the time to crack down on housing, nutrition, and preventative health strategies suitable for the arrival of winter.

The graphic below lists some essential items on the horse owner's fall to-do checklist, but there is much more that needs to be done—like having your horse rugs repaired and waterproofed; securing and storing hay properly; assessing your shelters for safety and soundness; etc.)

Your equine veterinarian is one of your greatest allies this season: be sure to give them a call soon to discuss vaccination and deworming protocols appropriate for your horse’s situation; use this opportunity to chat about recommended changes in nutrition and exercise program as well!

10/01/2023

This week’s topic is dental care! 🦷🦷🦷

»Horses are classified as “hypsodonts,” which means their teeth erupt and grow continuously throughout their life. This pattern allows them to chew fibrous roughage and not wear out their teeth.

»However, as their teeth grow, they do not always wear them evenly, creating imbalances. These imbalances can make it difficult for them to effectively grind their feed, and can lead to painful sharp enamel points, hooks, and ramps. This can also cause issues with horses being resistant to the bit or unwilling to drop their head and relax their jaw.

»Additionally, horses, like humans, can also develop other types of dental pathology- including painful molar fractures and infections due to feed packing. In older horses, when the molars have reached a point where they have completely erupted and there is no root remaining below the gum line, called “attrition,” they can become loose and painful.

»Failure to provide routine dental care can not only lead to weight loss, but also performance issues, pain, infection, and choke- a serious condition where feed is improperly chewed and becomes stuck in the esophagus.

»Fortunately, routine oral exams by your veterinarian can often identify imbalances and other dental pathology early in the disease process, allowing for preventative care and intervention. These are recommended every 6-12 months, with floats as needed and recommended by your veterinarian.

»Contact us today to get your horses’ teeth squared away before winter!