Alpine Equine Hospital

07/01/2024

We will be closed Monday 7/1/24 from 8-10 AM for a staff training meeting. If you have an emergency please call our emergency line for care. 970-366-1320

06/15/2024

05/31/2024

Come see your favorite veterinarians talk on first aid at the gorgeous new Hoffmann hotel. Join us on June 8th at 2pm. Presentation starts promptly at 3pm. Please register as there is limited seating. See you there!

05/31/2024

05/27/2024

Take a moment today when gathering with friends and family to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice protecting our country

05/14/2024

Upcoming educational event for the roaring fork valley horse community

What’s on our mind ?
Calendar time !! Time to learn ! Please come to the (RFVHC) Horse Health Educational Series - FREE TO THE PUBLIC -
Equine First Aid For The Trail - Meet and greet old friends and make new ones - Food, snacks, and fun. See you there!

Saturday June 8th

04/27/2024

The Equine Colic Fund Event and Fundraiser will happen on August 10th at the Hoffman Hotel in Basalt.

Prior to that, on June 8th the Roaring Fork Horse Council will sponsor a Trail First Aid Seminar. On October 5th, a Winter Prep Seminar will be the last of the season.

03/28/2024

It’s that time of year again to assess your horse’s individual needs for vaccinations as part of their annual wellness exam. Give us a call today to schedule your horse’s appt and help ensure your horse is set for optimal health.

Spring has sprung! Which means…vaccination season is upon us as well!

If you are wondering what vaccinations your horse should receive, the answer is — There are no “one size fits all” vaccine recommendations. A veterinarian who knows your horse and your management system is your best resource to recommend what vaccines your equine friend should receive and with what frequency!

While vaccination does not prevent disease in all circumstances, a good immunization protocol minimizes the risk of infection and remains an essential component of responsible horse ownership. A vaccination appointment is also the perfect opportunity for a yearly check-up of your equine friend and a great way to catch any health concerns early.

If you have yet to contact your veterinarian about scheduling your horse's vaccinations, we encourage you to do it soon!

03/20/2024

Spring has sprung! Which means…vaccination season is upon us as well!

If you are wondering what vaccinations your horse should receive, the answer is — There are no “one size fits all” vaccine recommendations. A veterinarian who knows your horse and your management system is your best resource to recommend what vaccines your equine friend should receive and with what frequency!

While vaccination does not prevent disease in all circumstances, a good immunization protocol minimizes the risk of infection and remains an essential component of responsible horse ownership. A vaccination appointment is also the perfect opportunity for a yearly check-up of your equine friend and a great way to catch any health concerns early.

If you have yet to contact your veterinarian about scheduling your horse's vaccinations, we encourage you to do it soon!

03/19/2024

One of our community partners is hosting a Horse Health Educational Series this Saturday, March 23rd at The Hoffman Hotel in Basalt starting at 1pm! We encourage our WindWalkers community to take part in this informative experience!

03/04/2024

Come join horse owners and enthusiasts at the new Hoffmann hotel for a presentation on Laminitis put on by the Roaring Fork Valley Horse Council. Local farrier Josh Aikens will be presenting on March 23rd at 2pm. Please scan the QR code to register or follow the link: https://forms.gle/yAAEejzDD32EdZHd9

02/08/2024

February is National Pet Dental Health Month. While horses don’t exactly qualify as pets, this is still a good opportunity to remind everyone about the importance of having a veterinarian check your horse’s teeth at least once a year.

Following is some important food for thought (pun intended) courtesy of AAEP member Dr. Christine Staten:

“Did you know that horses don’t really need their incisors to eat? Yep, even pasture. But if their incisors are a mess, it affects their ability to appropriately grind their food with their molars and pre-molars.

Dental work in horses is not just about floating teeth to get off points. It’s about balancing the mouth so that they can get the most nutrition out of their food without pain.

Shearing hay in the mouth is necessary to get the nutrition out. The guy in the picture was skinny because he could not move his jaw laterally enough to shear his food, but his health and body condition score improved significantly once the incisors were balanced.”

When was the last time you had your horse’s teeth checked?

01/24/2024

Full well knowing the January brief thaw won’t last. Here’s how your horse manages to stay warm in the cold winter months.

FUN FACT FRIDAY! Are you familiar with the many adaptations that help your horse stay warm during the cold winter months?

🌾 Hindgut digestion of hay produces the most heat, acting as a small furnace inside of the horse. This is why free choice, good quality hay is so important in the winter.

💪 Horses have a huge muscle mass and muscle activity produces heat. This includes running and playing and even shivering if their body temperature starts to drop. It is important to remember that these activities also will result in a bigger caloric demand so free choice hay and in some cases, grain, is often needed.

🧥 To blanket or not to blanket is a constant debate but either way, as it starts to get cold your horse will grow a thicker coat. If you decide to leave your horse unblanketed you may notice that they look “fluffy”. This is due to a phenomenon called piloerection where the hair stands up to better trap air within. Two layers of the coat also help with warmth. The inner layer is softer and has air pockets to create an insulating layer. The outer layer is coarse and has oils that keep moisture from penetrating the insulating layer and keep the horse warm.

⚖️ Wild horses go into the winter heavier than ideal and the fat serves as an extra layer of insulation. However, if a horse is going to be kept heavily blanketed and in a barn during the cold weather months this is unnecessary and can lead to obesity related issues.

🦵Their distal limbs (below the knees and hocks) are made of mostly bones and tendons, tissues that are resistant to the cold temperatures.

🦶The hooves have an alternative route of blood circulation through larger vessels that can be used in low temperatures. This is why horses can stand in snow without detrimental effects.

👃A horse’s nose has a robust blood supply and is rounded so that it is less susceptible to frostbite than a human’s nose.
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Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

01/16/2024

This weekend’s and todays weather makes this quite timely
Here’s to your horse’s health in 24!

As a storm threat of freezing rain and snow marches across the U.S. and Canada ❄️🌨🫧🌬, below are some tips for keeping your horses safe during extreme winter weather events:

1. While lots of hay is ideal for horses to eat to keep warm, now is NOT the time to introduce a round bale if they’ve never had access to one before. It may be more work, but keep throwing them their normal hay source—just more frequently.

2. Similarly, if your horse is not used to being locked up in a stall now is NOT the time. The stress of a major change and the decreased activity can be risk factors for colic. Be sure your animals have access to shelter, hay, and drinkable water but let them move around if they choose to do so.

3. Horses that are thin, older, or fully body clipped are those most at risk in extreme weather.

4. Well fitting blankets are great but be sure horses do not get sweaty under them or that the blankets don’t soak through if snow or rain covered. Wet, cold, and covered is worse that dry, cold, and naked.

5. Some of the highest risk times are when the temperatures hover right around freezing, as that can result in sleet/freezing rain/ice that can make horses wet and therefore colder. Slippery footing is a concern, too.

6. If using electric water heaters, be sure they are functioning and not shocking horses. Take your gloves off and stick your hand in the water (briefly!) to double check.

7. “Trick” your horses into consuming extra water by flavoring a bucket, adding electrolytes to their meals, or soaking their meals in warm water. If you’ve never fed beet pulp before, be sure to add LOTS of warm water. Dry beet pulp is a common source of choke.

8. Tips of ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting a jumper-style ear bonnet or other ear cover can protect them from wind chills.

Stay safe, friends!

01/09/2024

It’s that season. Gooding everyone’s long awaited foals arrive safely this year!

Ready or not, foaling season is upon us! Is your foaling kit stocked and ready to go?

If this is your first foaling or you don’t know where to start, the graphic below lists a few essentials for you to include. Having these items ready in advance will mean less stress and scrambling at the last minute trying to acquire what you need.

As always, your veterinarian is your best source of information. Consult your horse doctor for additional recommendations and for training on how to properly use these tools to assist your mare during and after delivery!

01/08/2024

We promised many of you that even though we are not involved in the Hay Bank in the RFV, after the pandemic began to fade, the RFVHC may still able to help those in need. Your horses name may not be Snowman, he may not even be a rescue - he may be your "Best Friend, BFF" and YOU might be in need of HELP.

Working with Dr. Chuck Maker over the last years has brought this valuable assistance to our attention and help was received locally. Thanks Chuck !

ASPCA Vet Direct program is now under the auspices of the AAEP/Foundation for the Horse. The Vet Direct Program is designed to help owners in need pay for emergency procedures
https://aaep.org/horse-owners/vet-direct-safety-net

Phone number for vets to direct inquiries to help horse owners is
330-518- 9001

Point of contact is Sarah Coleman

12/22/2023

Wishing everyone a wonderful Christmas. We will be closed for Christmas at 5 pm today, reopening 12/27. Got an emergency call 970-366-1320 for the vet on call.

12/21/2023

Tis the season for good tidings and joy. But it’s also that time of year to ensure your horse is staying well hydrated

Water remains as important for your horse in cold weather as it is in the summer. As a matter of fact, decreased water consumption in the winter is thought to be the primary inducing factor for impaction colic — although there are other predisposing factors such as poor hay quality, lack of exercise, internal parasites and dental problems.

Impaction colic is essentially constipation and most often includes the accumulation of hard, dry f***l material in the colon. The usual signs of impending impaction colic are depression, a decreased appetite, and decreased production and dryness of manure.

Studies demonstrate that you can increase your horse's winter water consumption if you provide access to heated water, but ONLY if that is the only source of water available. As always, if you have any questions about preventing colic in your horse, your local veterinarian remains your best source of information!

12/15/2023

It's the most wonderful time of the year ... for carriage rides, that is!

12/13/2023

Love working with horses? Looking for a change in 2024 where no two days are the same? Learn more at

Come Join our team of technicians ! in Carbondale, CO. Alpine Equine Hospital is your local Veterinarian in Carbondale serving all of your needs. Call us today at 970-379-7100 for an appointment.

12/08/2023

Dr. Stalnaker got to work with three donkey foals yesterday. It’s important to take extra time with our young patients to ensure they have a positive experience with the vet!

12/08/2023

Good to note if you love donkeys!

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.

12/02/2023

Feeding you horse in the winter for optimal health? read more at https://alpineequine.net/blog/1080273-winter-nutrition-for-your-horse

11/23/2023

I am grateful for our dedicated team and the wonderful horse owners and horses with whose care we are entrusted. Thanksgiving blessings to all.

11/09/2023

Good review of something we see in the roaring fork valley more often in the shoulder seasons.

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

11/08/2023

Information on our closest wild horse population in north and west of Meeker. Well worth 3 hrs drive to go see if you’ve never been there.

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11/05/2023

Being able to get objective physical parameters or vital signs can be tremendously helpful when assessing your horse’s health and determining whether to call your veterinarian.

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.

11/01/2023

What can we say?Happy Halloween !

10/27/2023

We are looking for another great vet tech to join our team! Hope you get a great turn out at your open house

Did you know that there's a projected shortage of 133,000 certified vet techs in the U.S. by 2030? 🐴 If you've ever considered a career in veterinary medicine, now's your chance to explore this rewarding field. CMC's Vet Tech Program at Spring Valley Campus in Glenwood Springs is hosting its annual Open House on Saturday, October 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vet tech faculty, staff and students will be available to answer questions. Halloween costumes are welcome, and a scavenger hunt, candy, photo booth and giveaways, and many animals will be available for meeting and greeting.