𝑾𝒂𝒓 𝑬𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒆

04/17/2025

𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗸𝗲𝘆𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗼!🫏🦷

Donkeys and horses are both equids, sharing similar veterinary needs. Veterinary care is essential for donkeys, helping to prevent and treat common issues like dental problems, hoof conditions, and parasites. Regular check-ups, vaccinations, and proper nutrition support their health, well-being, and longevity💕

04/04/2025

🦷🦷🦷🦷

Equine dental health is not only crucial for keeping your equine companion's pearly whites healthy but also for the overall health of the animal in general.

Common dental issues such as the ones mentioned in the graphic can negatively affect the health of the teeth themselves as well as gum, gastrointestinal, and overall mouth health. Dental issues can also impact chewing and food grinding, further exacerbating digestive tract issues.

Has your horse struggled with any of these dental issues before? Let us know below ⬇️

As always, if you have questions or concerns about your horse's dental health, contact your equine veterinarian.

03/31/2025

⚡️🌊𝓢𝓱𝓸𝓬𝓴 𝓦𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓣𝓱𝓮𝓻𝓪𝓹𝔂 ⚡️🌊

Have you used shock wave before? Tell us your success stories!

Why do we love shock wave? Shock wave therapy is great option for a non-invasive treatment to promote healing and reduce pain in musculoskeletal injuries. It involves the application of acoustic waves that pe*****te the tissues, stimulating blood flow, encouraging tissue repair, and reducing inflammation. Shock wave therapy is often used to treat conditions such as tendonitis, ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, and other soft tissue injuries. It can help accelerate the healing process by enhancing the body’s natural repair mechanisms and is commonly used in conjunction with other treatments, such as rest or rehabilitation exercises. Shock Wave has been shown to reduce pain, improve mobility, and shorten recovery time for our equine athletes!🐴⚡️💛

03/27/2025

𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒚𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒂𝒚’𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒊𝒔…. 𝒂 𝑩𝑬𝑨𝑵!

What is a bean? Beans are hardned pieces of sm**ma that accumulate in the urethraral fossa (tip of the p***s) or sheath. These have a wax like feeling and can causese discomfort for geldings/stallions when urinating or performing.

Regular sheath cleaning is a small yet crucial part of horse care that helps maintain a horse’s health, comfort, and hygiene. If you’re unsure how to clean your horse’s sheath or if you encounter any difficulties, it’s always a good idea to consult with your veterinarian for guidance. A clean sheath contributes to a happy and healthy horse!

⚠️Please note that not all horses will tolerate a cleaning. It is very important to have adequate restraint (holder, twitch, and/or sedation).

03/26/2025

𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥’𝕤 𝕦𝕡 𝕎𝕖𝕕𝕟𝕖𝕤𝕕𝕒𝕪!

👀 Any guesses on what this is? 👀

Check back tomorrow for the results😱

03/24/2025

Shedding season is right around the corner!

If, however, you notice that your equine friend is clinging to their winter coat longer than they should, it might be time to give your veterinarian a call — especially if your animal is 15+.

A long haircoat that fails to shed according to normal seasonal patterns is the most classic sign of Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), also known as Cushing’s disease. This disorder of the pituitary gland results in hormonal imbalances and is one of the most common diseases of middle-aged and geriatric equines.

Early diagnosis and treatment are key to helping animals with PPID live long, happy lives. Without treatment, symptoms tend to worsen over time and many equines are euthanized as a consequence of laminitis, recurrent foot abscesses or complications related to bacterial infections.

It is also important to note that donkeys and mules tend to shed later than horses, so keep this in mind before getting too worried about other underlying causes. As always, if you have concerns about if your equine companion is shedding appropriately, contact your veterinarian.

03/20/2025

Hi everyone! 𝑾𝒂𝒓 𝑬𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒆 will be at the Heard County Arena in Franklin Georgia this evening offering upper airway scopes following runs. If you have a horse you suspect has EIPH (bleeder) please reach out to Dr. Ruffin and we would be happy to scope your horse!

*Scopes only, we will not be set up for appointments*
*If you need something specific (medications, vaccines, Coggins, etc) please reach out prior to event*

📞(772) 321-1804

03/15/2025

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐬🐴🌪️⛈️

As many of you know, a significant storm is expected to bring severe thunderstorms, strong winds, hail, and the possibility of tornadoes to Alabama. A few simple precautions can help protect your horses and provide essential information in case they become lost.

𝐏𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥?

Deciding whether to keep your horse outside or indoors depends on several factors. Barns and structures should be built to withstand high winds to avoid horses being trapped or debris flying around. If your horse is not used to being confined in a stall, they may become anxious, which could lead to injury. Conversely, a horse accustomed to being in a stall for long periods may feel stressed if let outside during a storm. Try to maintain your horse’s regular routine while minimizing risks. If your horse wears a fly mask, it can help prevent eye irritation during high winds.

𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐔𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫

Ensure you have enough hay, grain, and water on hand. If you rely on power for water, consider filling extra buckets or troughs in case of a power outage. A typical 1,100-pound horse drinks 6 to 10 gallons of water daily in cooler weather, but this amount can increase significantly in hot, humid conditions or for a lactating mare. Avoid making sudden dietary changes.

𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐈𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

In case of an emergency, it’s essential to identify your horses if they get separated. If you decide to put a halter on your horse, make sure it has a breakaway leather strap to prevent entanglement. Identification options include cattle ear tags, dog tags, or duct tape securely braided into the mane. Large, clear text is easier to read from a distance. Be sure to include the horse’s name, the owner’s contact details, and the address. Other helpful info like identifying a stallion or a horse that kicks can also be included. Waterproof livestock paint can be used to write contact details on the horse’s side. While permanent markers or nail polish on hooves can be used, they may not be visible in muddy conditions.

🚨We will be available for emergencies or any questions. Please do not hesitate to reach out. Stay safe and be ready!

Credit to: Alabama equine extension! Great information! 🐴

03/13/2025

𝓓𝓻𝓲𝓹𝓹𝔂 💧

Why would you consider getting your horse looked at for a performance evaluation/lameness exam?

A lameness exam is crucial for identifying and diagnosing the source of pain or discomfort in a horse’s musculoskeletal system. This thorough examination helps to assess the horse’s movement, evaluate joint flexibility, and determine if there are any issues with tendons, ligaments, muscles, or joints. Early detection of lameness can prevent further injury and improve the horse’s overall well-being. The exam often includes visual observation of the horse’s gait, palpation, flexion tests, nerve blocks, and sometimes imaging techniques like radiographs or ultrasound. By pinpointing the exact cause of lameness, an appropriate treatment plan can be developed, which may involve joint injections, shockwave, medications, rehabilitation, or surgical intervention. Ultimately, an equine lameness exam plays a vital role in maintaining a horse’s performance, health, and longevity.

(I do not own the rights to this music)

03/10/2025

Check out our newest Flexineb! 💨🫁

Why would we choose to nebulize a horse? Nebulizing horses is a therapeutic technique used to deliver medications directly to the respiratory system, providing relief for horses suffering from respiratory conditions like equine asthma, pneumonia, exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage (bleeders) or upper respiratory infections. The process involves using a nebulizer, a device that converts liquid medications into a fine mist or aerosol, which the horse inhales through a mask, nosepiece, or nebulizing chamber. This direct delivery allows the medication to reach the lungs more effectively than oral treatments, ensuring faster and more targeted relief. Nebulization is commonly used to administer bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antibiotics, or mucolytics, helping to reduce inflammation, open airways, and alleviate symptoms such as coughing, nasal discharge, or labored breathing. We can also nebulize certain biological to aid in healing the respiratory tract after a EIPH episode. Depending on the horse’s condition and treatment protocol, nebulizing can be done with us or at home! Regular use of nebulization can significantly improve the horse’s respiratory function and overall quality of life and truly make a difference in their performance and overall comfort.

03/03/2025

Did you know we also perform standing surgeries? Check out this enucleation! 👀

Why would my horse benefit from an enucleation?

“Enucleation” is surgical removal of the eye where the eyelids are permanently closed. There are several possible reasons to consider enucleation including:
1) a painful, blind eye
2) long-term dependency on frequent medications to relieve pain
3) infection that is worsening despite treatment and there is no option for a vision sparing surgery
4) cancer which is recurrent and/or invasive.

Enucleation surgery has a short post-operative period with minor, local discomfort, that is controlled with oral pain medications. Horses that have experienced pain from uveitis, glaucoma, or corneal infection show signs of immediate relief and improvement in behavior after the surgery. Most importantly, almost all will return to previous work and can still perform!

Warrior Princess had her eye removed from her long term battle with glaucoma. Within a few days, she was visibly less painful and back to her normal self. She did so well and has made a full recovery! 💖👀🐴