Chapman Equine

05/16/2024

If you believe that horses need grain in their diet to meet their nutritional needs, you are not alone. However, horses should get most of their nutrients from a good quality forage source such as grass, hay, hay pellets, or a complete feed.

Horses generally eat between 1.5-2% of their body weight each day, so an average size 1,000 lbs horse should eat 15- 20 lbs of hay daily. To help fill any nutrient gaps such as essential vitamins or minerals, a ration balancer may be beneficial. Depending on breed, body condition, and exercise level, concentrates may be added in to provide additional energy but are often not needed.

When deciding on what to feed your horse, it is best to invest in high quality forages as the foundation of your feeding plan. You can even have your hay tested to see exactly what nutrients it is providing. Please consult with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist about your horse's diet before making any major changes, and remember that any changes should be made gradually over time to avoid GI upset.
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

05/02/2024

🎉🐴 Celebrating 19 years of devotion to your horses at Chapman Equine! 🎉🐴

Today, we're reflecting on Dr. Dan's step into entrepreneurship back on May 2nd, 2005. What started as a dream has flourished into a thriving reality, thanks to the unwavering support of our incredible clients.

To each and every one of you who entrust us with the health and well-being of your beloved horses, thank you! Your trust, loyalty, and partnership make every day a rewarding journey. Here's to many more years of serving you and your four-legged companions! 🌟 🐎

04/25/2024

Here’s some great info on trailering horses.
When trailering horses, I pay great attention to two things: Murphy’s Law: What can go wrong, will go wrong.
Boy Scout Motto:
Be prepared.

Lately I've had several folks reach out about hauling their horses longer distances...

Here's just kinda a reference for me. Not everyone has to agree but idk much about the subject. :)

Cameras. Get them. We install them pm me if you want one. Worth every single penny. Your entire perspective will change. Wire them into your running lights, it'll act as an on/off switch and won't run batteries down. https://a.co/d/582ihv4

Horses appreciate box stalls IMHO. If you can haul as such, do it. In the same breath, some horses cant tolerate the room and get anxious. Load accordingly.

Nervous horse?
I have a loud yet small portable speaker too. Let's listen to Mozart or Beethoven! You have no idea how much it'll drown out road/trailer noise and give them something else to focus on. https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTLu1tYRd/

Never ever hard tie. Ever. I have tie blockers attached with hay string at all tie points in my trailer. There has been exactly 3 times that has really saved my ass (and spared the horses injury). I really prefer not to tie at all if I can get away with it. They need to be able to get their heads down or at least lower it some to clear their lungs or you risk shipping fever.

Stop every couple hours and rest legs. They get fatigued more than other body parts. I stop every 3 hours ish for about 20/30 minutes. I also take this time to use the bathroom, grab a snack, walk my trailer and top off fuel. I absolutely do not make unnecessary stops. I have a 100 gallon drag tank too which I really appreciate.

I bed deep, 8 inches or more long distance and 6 inches or so local hauls. Helps keep them comfy but also absorbs waste more efficiently and deeper (also a insulation to keep the road heat at bay). Take note of how much they're p**ping and if they p*e. I scoop p**p when I stop if I can safely. I've had horses that absolutely will not p*e on the trailer and that needs to be kept in mind for travel time as well. Double mats are good too! I invested in the spray floor from Texas Floor Skinz and I can tell it's also made a huge difference in the cushioning. I also don't have to pull the stupid mats out anymore and it's super easy to disinfect.

I also invested in a air hitch from https://shockerhitch.com It takes so much of the jerk and rough ride out! It's like night and day on any trailer but y'all with those heavy LQ? Order ya one, you'll thank me later. They're also commonly listed on FB Marketplace as well. I average around $550 used. I swear by this and that cushioned spray floor for legs.

I never park my trailer in the direct sun either, once it starts to warm up. If you feel like it's really heating up, buy 60/80 pounds of ice and throw on the floor. Imagine the heat coming from the road, the ice melts but it does help. Ventilation is key. Keep that trailer open.
I ordered a custom screen from this place for the window above my side ramp. Its made a huge difference while still being safe!
https://www.horsetraileraccessorystore.com/Trailer-Safety-Screens-with-Straps-CUSTOM-SEWN-New-or-Replacements_p_575.html

Don't ever unload at a truck/rest stop/questionable area. Find an arena or barn or even a quiet back road if nothing else. I try hard to not have to unload at all but I have the luxury of the nicest barns to let my passengers walk it out at (thanks you guys).

How long can I travel? That's such a loaded question. How's your horse/s traveling? Again, cameras are just such an invaluable tool. If they're drinking, comfortable, p**ping and happy I'm good going 12 hours or even more if client wants straight through, keep your breaks consistent. I feel 6/8 hours or so is a good days haul. If there's any question just stop and layover somewhere. https://www.horsemotel.com/ is a great resource and many public arenas are available as well. Give your horses 8/10 good hours of rest off trailer if you're going to layover. Make sure they drink.

I keep water in front of them long distance or if it's hot. You have to. If it's a 3 hour trip and 70° they aren't thirsty and they're just going to make a mess. Make sure you hang the bucket high enough to keep feet out but low enough to be accessible. Pay attention to what direction your clips are too. You don't want a halter getting hung up on a clip holding a water bucket in a tight area. I appreciate actual bucket straps, they'll break if they needed to.
I also use these to keep splashing to a minimum. Some horses just really don't appreciate it. They learn fast how to use them.
https://teskeys.com/products/rockin-road-lid?variant=40161967865919&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw26KxBhBDEiwAu6KXt2mu3QWkzH-BVxMn_aVC2gsSY4g79uyrPBWTXWeeGh2m8xriU0D7oxoCzlAQAvD_BwE
Keeping hay bags full is important too. Smaller the hole in slow feed hay nets the better. You don't want them to just pig out bored, you want to keep tummy acid at bay and horses content while traveling. I don't like feeding horses during travel either. Grain really weighs the gut down. Soak it really good if you do. This will help reduce colic. See my ulcergard comment below.

If they're struggling to drink, keep in mind you're filling their gut with dry hay in an already stressful situation. Then add to that you're restricting the digestive process by them standing still. There's a lot of things to help with this. I like https://www.whinnywater.com/ but you can also use Gatorade, a handful of alfalfa pellets and full bucket of water or whatever your horse likes but they really need to drink, esp in the heat. If you can start ulcergard a few days prior to, during and a few days post travel that really seems to help too.

I hate shipping boots for a lot of reasons, mostly because they trap heat in the legs and thats no bueno.

Walk. Your. Rig.
Every single time you stop. Walk. Your. Rig. Things I look for.. cracked/busted welds, door/window hinges, lug nuts, secured latches, kick the tires, quick visual of my hitch, head gates/drops (those aluminum bars can break) and whatever else is in-between. Don't forget to look under it occasionally as well! There's so much under there that can break too!
Make this second nature and you can potentially save yourself a lot of headache later.
My trailer is professionally inspected every 3 months and repairs made immediately when found needed. Stuff breaks, it happens.

There are companies that are like Triple A for horse people. US Rider absolutely sucks but I really like www.trailguard.org They have a lot of features they offer and help get horses and equipment safe. You have to be signed up 30 days before you can use their services so keep that in mind.

Know your maintenance schedule. Can't recall the last time you had your bearings/brakes/tires inspected? Then it's time. Over a year? Then it's time. Have a blow out? Then it's time. Tires over 4 years old but still have lots of tread? It's time for new ones. This heat kills tires. I buy mine at Trout Tire and they've always done me right. Same goes for your truck.

Carry two spares, that trailer aid ramp is worth every penny and so is a good impact. I can change a tire in under 8 minutes. It's invaluable in the stupid Texas heat. I also have enough spare s**t to build a space ship in my tool box. Tools, hay string, electrical tape, extra lights, fuses, zip ties, straps, bailing wire, coolant, you get the point. I also carry wraps, vet wrap, extra halters/ropes, spray and tie blockers blah blah blah. I could be a hauler or a serial killer turns out it looks the same. I have a fridge in my center console so I can safely carry drugs as well. Bought that here! It's an amazing human comfort too. Cold drinks/snacks and I don't have to make another stop! https://www.dometic.com

FIRE EXTINGUISHER and a knife. You just never know. I put out a car fire one night, it was like 11pm. Peeps were super grateful. I replaced it the next day. Have a good sharp knife close and handy too. **tyouseeasahauler

This is just me and my observations over the last 8 years of hauling. I strive to evolve into the absolute best hauler I can be and it comes from experience for sure. I really do love the horses I haul and want nothing but safe travels every time I load a horse.

Haulers and individuals all do things different and that doesn't make (most of) it wrong.

I'll add to this as I think of more :)

Like my page!
New Caney Equine Center

04/25/2024

Sometimes after an injury our equine companions need some extra therapies to help them get back to feeling their best. PEMF is one of those fantastic therapies for reducing inflammation, increasing blood flow, and even pin pointing soreness and pain as those affected muscles will actually twitch under the PEMF machines work.
We love local, and Lexi Dodd is one of our local MagnaWave practitioners. Lexi has been a long time client with Chapman Equine. We have loved working on her horses and here she is working on Dr. Dan's personal horse Sirius. Check her out at Redwood Coast Wellness

Chapman Equine, the only locally owned Equine Practice

04/17/2024

Solea is the happy new owner of her beautiful Dutch warmblood Woody. She is an active member of Six Rivers Pony Club and hopes to qualify him for Pony Club Nationals held in Kentucky.
A pre-purchase exam is one of the best decisions you can make before investing in a horse (it's a big investment!). Dr. Dan checks the potential equine partner out from top to bottom, front to back, inside and out. He performs a series of flexion tests and evaluates the horses' soundness. He assesses the horse's actual age (you'd be surprised at how many supposed 'twelve' year olds are actually twenty). He works through a comprehensive list assessing the horse with highly trained and skilled eyes. Save yourself a lot of headache and heartache and get your PPE done before you invest in a horse.
Chapman Equine - The only locally owned equine practice.

04/16/2024

: Unlike humans, horses don’t have collarbones. Their shoulders are held to the rest of their skeleton via a sling of muscles and ligaments instead, often referred to as the “thoracic sling.”

Why is this important? We often ask our equine athletes to perform complex movements that require tremendous strength and coordination, and horses carry the majority of their weight in their front end. Therefore, it is imperative that the bulk of the muscles that support the front end are kept healthy and conditioned, and the horse is trained to use their “motor” — that is, engaging the large hind end muscles as much as possible to avoid excessive weight bearing on the front end.

If the front end of the horse is consistently overweighted or not at an appropriate level of fitness, repetitive biomechanical stresses get transferred down the leg to the smaller ligaments and tendons that were not designed to bear this weight, which can then lead to injury.
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Brough to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

04/11/2024

It's that time of year for spring vaccines! Save on the ranch call fee by coordinating scheduling with a few other folks at your boarding facility. Chapman Equine, the only locally owned equine practice.

03/31/2024

Routine dental care is one of the best things you can do for your horse. I wonder how many thousands of horses Dr. Dan has floated in his 28 years as a veterinarian? He sure likes the cordless tools available today. Ask him what floating a horses teeth looked like 'back in the day'. Hand floats, no speculum, and a tech who's shoulder developed callouses from holding the horses head up without a stand. Give Dr. Dan a call to schedule your horse's dental float. When you call, you talk to Dr. Dan himself. Not a tech, not an office assistant, you get to talk straight with your veterinarian himself when you call. Some things are better done like they were 'back in the day'.

03/29/2024

This poor horse bonked her head. Dr. Dan performed a little surgery magic and got her all stitched up. It has healed up beautifully! Chapman Equine is the only locally owned equine veterinary practice in Humboldt. It's nice knowing you'll have the same vet out every single time your horse is seen.

03/28/2024

The amazing Julie has now been a part of the Chapman Equine Team for an entire year! We are so lucky and thankful to have her. She's proven to be a very fast learner with the vet side of things and her equine savvy has not only been helpful but has kept Dr. Dan and your equine companions safe. Give her a shout out in the comments below if you want to show her some love!

03/10/2024

If anyone is interested in some bodywork and PEMF treatments on their horse, I’m trying to arrange some appointments in the next week or two.

02/28/2024

The new hip is healing well. Thank you all who reached out. Greatly appreciated ❤️
Time to get back to work. I’m starting to book appointments again. Please call or text
530-356-1910

02/15/2024

I hope this story helps those that need it. Our steeds deserve respect and dignity.

Following my rite of passage as a horse-crazed little girl, I began riding at age 11. When I was 14, my mother’s co-worker purchased a horse hastily after only a few lessons and quickly realized she was in over her head. Eager to get more time in t...

02/09/2024

Here’s a great opportunity!

AMAZING Internship Opportunity within the Forest Service! Work with Michael Morse and Lee Roeser at the Inyo National Forest Pack Stock Center of Excellence.
Timeframe: June - August 2024 (flexible)

Duties will include assisting Forest Service packers while packing in supplies & equipment for trail crews throughout the Sierras. May lead to possible employment with Federal Agencies.

Contact Cindy McMurry for an application:
[email protected] 530-640-0429

ESCC Link https://bit.ly/BchcIntern

Hurry, applications are due Mar.15, 2024!
Selection will take place by 4-15-2024

Check out the previous packing intern's experiences and adventures at: https://www.facebook.com/BCHCpackingintern

01/17/2024

Non-horse people just don’t understand the needs of a horse 😁

01/11/2024

Is your horse’s nighttime vision better than your daytime vision?

When comparing equine vision to human vision, the horse has a smaller visible spectrum (see image) which means they see a smaller range of colors than we do. However, horses have a structure in the back of their eye—called the tapetum lucidum—that humans do not have. This enhances vision in low light conditions and allows a horse to see better in the dark than a human does. However, reflections from the tapetum lucidum can also blur images and lead to poor depth perception at night.

Dilation of the pupil allows all species to see better in the dark. This process takes longer in a horse (45 minutes) than it does in humans (25 minutes). So when a horse is asked to do something in a dark environment, it’s important to allow their vision proper time to fully accommodate.

Overall, the nighttime vision of a horse is better than the nighttime vision of a human. However, the horse’s nighttime vision is NOT better than the daytime vision of a human. Anytime you are asking your horse to function in a dim light situation, give them time to adjust. And if they are fearful, be patient and try to understand how things look from their perspective!
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

01/01/2024

Happy New Year from the Chapman Equine team! Just a reminder that Dr. Dan will be taking the month of January off to get a much needed hip surgery. He will still be avaliable via text or call to help problem solve your equine medical needs. Those that need their presciptions filled, we will be available for that, too. Wishing all of our wonderful clients a safe and fun new year with your beloved equines. . We are extremly thankful for your buisness and appriciate you all so much!

12/19/2023

Happy holidays & season's greetings from the Chapman Equine team! Dr. Dan will be taking the month of January off to get a much needed hip surgery. He will still be avaliable via text or call to help problem solve your equine medical needs. Those that need their presciptions filled, we will be available for that, too. Wishing all of our wonderful clients a safe and happy holiday season. We are extremly thankful for your buisness and appriciate you all so much!

12/08/2023

Baby it’s cold outside! ❄️⛄️

Many people think of donkeys as hardy, low-maintenance “small horses.” However, while they have similarities, donkeys are a completely different species and as such have a different physical, mental, and emotional make-up.

As the weather gets colder, it’s important to remember that donkeys are more sensitive to changes in temperature than their equine friends. They don’t grow a winter coat like horses and their hair is less waterproof, so they require shelter from the elements (like a run-in shed or a waterproof blanket). Being stoic animals, they also won’t show signs of discomfort and hypothermia until they are very sick.

Remember that every animal is different depending on age, breed, and other health conditions, so be sure with your primary veterinarian to address any concerns or questions!
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Brough to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

11/23/2023

Apply for Assateague Island’s GS 5 seasonal Park Ranger - Horse Management positions!

This job announcement is currently open until 11/24/23.

Use the link below to access USA Jobs and apply: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/761403600

11/20/2023

Mary is a fabulous person and skilled horsewoman. I highly recommend her.

Need your equine’s exercise regimen kept up on this winter? Or need a tune up? I have a couple spots opening up for the winter. I’m available to travel all of Humbolt, and even parts of Trinity. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions and please check my page for more information on my skill set.

11/10/2023

The term "fat leg" is pretty self-explanatory, but do you know the difference between stocking up and cellulitis?

Many horses will "stock up" with subcutaneous edema (fluid swelling) in two or more legs (usually the hind limbs). Stocking up generally results from a significant decrease in exercise and usually resolves as the horse starts exercising again.

Lymphangitis (or vasculitis, big leg disease, staph infection, or cellulitis), however, is a bacterial infection and a dramatically different condition. While its causes may vary, it’s easy to spot once it sets in: the swelling will be extreme, hot and very painful to the touch, and the horse will be depressed due to the fever and discomfort.

If you think your equine friend has cellulitis or even if you're not sure, we encourage you to seek professional help promptly. Your horse doctor will make the best treatment recommendations, both to reduce swelling and to address any sort of bacterial infection that might be active or that could occur due to the edema in the soft tissue.

Read more on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/lymphangitis-frustrating-condition

11/04/2023

Great practical information courtesy of the horse doctors at Barrow Veterinary Service:

NORMAL: NOT JUST A SETTING ON THE DRYER!
If your horse seems a little "off," do you know what his "normal" is? One of the best ways you can determine if your horse is ill is to know his normal vitals—temperature, breaths per minute, heart rate, and capillary refill time. If they are outside the normal range, a call to your equine veterinarian is definitely warranted! Any refusal to eat a meal or to get up from a recumbent position is also a clue that you and your equine friend need assistance.

10/05/2023

While it’s a common equine emergency, espophageal obstruction (“choke”) can look alarming, especially if you've never seen it before. Unlike in human medicine, where choking refers to a tracheal (or windpipe) obstruction, choke in horses refers to an obstruction of the esophagus, the muscular tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.

Most commonly, choking occur when horses eat concentrated feed too quickly without chewing it appropriately, which results in a firm bolus lodged in the animal's esophagus. However, esophageal obstruction can also occur with hay or straw, hard treats, carrots, or nonfood objects. Poor dentition, which leads to inadequate chewing, is also a frequent cause of choke.

While common, chokes can have serious consequences so be sure to call your veterinarian as soon as you notice signs of choke. A bad choke is fairly obvious to both veterinarians and horse owners, but a mild choke could be confused with an upper respiratory tract infection or colic.

Read more about this condition on our website at https://aaep.org/horsehealth/understanding-choke-horses

06/28/2023

Teamwork makes the dream work! The whole Chapman Equine Crew. Left to right : Tessa (Office Assistant), Julie (Technician), Dan (The Man) and Kim (Bookkeeper). We are so lucky to have such a great team that works so well together to bring you the best possible care for your equines.

Chapman Equine - the only locally owned equine practice in Humboldt County

06/14/2023

We love working with the mini’s! We have all specially-sized equipment specifically for floating your mini equines. Thank you for supporting the ONLY locally owned veterinary equine practice! Dr. Dan’s 28 years of experience and his trusty tech Julie means your equines are in the best of care.

05/26/2023

Heading out of town for the long weekend. Going to vet the chalk rock endurance ride. Elly and our friends Andrea and Cecilia Will be riding on both days. Should be a grand weekend.

05/11/2023

We will be at Blue Lake Arena on Thursday May 25th at 2:00PM to get your horses up to date on their vaccines. As always, Dr. Dan gives a dose of banamine so your equines aren't sore after their vaccines. Prices listed below. Call for more info. See you there!

04/20/2023

Let's talk Coggins! What is it? Why do you need it? When do you need it?

The weather is finally beginning to warm up and that means we get to ride more! It also means that various equine events are right around the corner. Whether you plan on showing, attending endurance rides, rodeo, or any other travelling you might do with your horse this summer, it's important to understand when you might need a Coggins.

A 'Coggins' is what we call the blood test for EIA (Equine Infectious Anemia), which is a very serious viral disease. EIA is spread by blood-feeding insects such as horseflies, stable flies , and deer flies. It can also be transferred in utero, or via equipment or blood products (ex. blood transfusion).

As of 2022, every state in America requires a negative coggins for any horse crossing state lines. Many shows, competitions, races, and other events may require proof of a negative coggins as well, so it's important to check that out when planning a trip.

In addition, your horse will also need a Health Certificate filled out by your veterinarian.

For most states, including Oregon and Nevada, your negative coggins is valid for 12 months. Your health certificate, however, is valid for 30 days and must be completed for each trip, complete with shipment date as well as the travel destination.

It's a great time of year to get your coggins taken care of so you don't have to worry about it for the rest of the year.

Happy Trails!