Anoka Equine Veterinary Services

12/20/2024

12/17/2024

This is a very informative and interesting article from our friends at American Association of Equine Practitioners.

12/17/2024

Some good tips!

As the cold winter weather trudges on, Dr. Sarah Reuss, AAEP Vice President and a horse owner herself, shares the following advice to keep your horse safe during extreme weather.

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 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 they 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 that 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. Entice your horses to consume 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. The tips of your horses' ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting on a waterproof, jumper-style ear bonnet or other waterproof ear cover can protect them from wind chills.

If you have any questions or concerns about keeping your horses safe this winter, contact your veterinarian for advice.

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from our AE family to yours!
As we take a moment to reflect on the blessings in our lives, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of our incredible clients. Your trust, loyalty, and support mean the world to us. We are thankful for each and every one of you. Not only today, but every day.
Wishing you a joy-filled Thanksgiving with loved ones, delicious food, and warm memories. Thank you for being an integral part of our community!

11/27/2024

Happy Wednesday! We have a very important reminder from our breeding department!

It may feel like winter today, but spring will be upon us before we know it! If you're planning on breeding your mare this spring, the time to start preparing is now! December 1st is a key date for breeders, as it marks the time to begin stimulating your mare’s reproductive cycle for an early spring breeding season. To encourage your mare to cycle in early February, you'll need to ensure she receives around 16 hours of light each day.

To achieve this, start by turning on your barn and/or paddock lights about 30 minutes before sunset, and keep them on until around 11 pm. Using timers is an effective way to maintain consistency and help your mares stay on track. You don’t need intense lighting – just enough light to comfortably read a book or newspaper in every corner of their stall.

Here are a few additional tips to help your mare cycle as expected in early February:
*Ensure she is in good body condition.
*Provide a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
*Maintain regular exercise.
*Minimize exposure to stress.
*Collaborate with your veterinarian to monitor her reproductive health.

By following these steps, you can set your mare up for a successful 2025 breeding season!

If you have any questions or need assistance getting started, please don't hesitate to contact us. For some additional helpful information, we’ve also included an article from the Colorado State University Equine Reproduction Laboratory: Putting a Mare Under Lights.
https://vetmedbiosci.colostate.edu/erl/2022/12/13/putting-a-mare-under-lights/

Best of luck with your preparations for 2025!

11/22/2024

Please note our office hours next week for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will be closed for regular appointments, but we will have a vet on call for emergencies as always. Just dial our regular number 763.441.3797 EXT #1. Thank you!

11/20/2024

Looking for a gift this season? Stop by and pick one up!

The 2025 MHARF Calendars are available for sale at Anoka Equine Veterinary Services! You can pick them up there for $20.00 each and they will kindly credit the amount to our clinic account. Thank you, AEVS! Calendars can also be ordered on our website (and shipped to you) here:
https://mnhoovedanimalrescue.org/shop/

Thank you so much to everyone who submitted and gave us permission to use photos this year and thank you to all of those who have already purchased calendars!

10/31/2024

MNHARF tack sale starts today!

10/22/2024

Just a heads up for 2025 MN Horse Expo!

ANNOUNCEMENT
The Minnesota Horse Expo will be hosted at Canterbury Park in 2025. More info can be found at https://www.mnhorseexpo.org/

Sponsored by the Minnesota Horse Council, the Expo is Minnesota's largest equine trade show and breed exhibition, attracting hundreds of vendors, over 25 equine breeds, and 20,000 visitors.

10/18/2024

As Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week comes to a close, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the exceptional vet techs and assistants out there. Their tireless efforts, unwavering dedication, and compassionate care are the backbone of our industry. Let's not limit our appreciation to just one week - take a moment to thank them all year round for all that they do. We are truly fortunate to have them making a difference in the lives of animals and pet owners every day!

10/17/2024

Our Next Vet Tech Week spotlight is on Lynsey. She is one of our incredibly talented technicians at AE. We asked her a few questions so you can get to know her a little better!
Q: What is your favorite appointment or surgery to be a part of at Anoka Equine?
A: My favorite appointment to be a part of is taking radiographs (mostly hoof) and assisting in the breeding department.
Q: What is your favorite breed of horse?
A: My favorite breed of horse is the Arabian or Half-Arab.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work after you hang up your superhero cape at the end of your shift?
A: I enjoy spending time with my own horse on trail rides and at barrel races. I also like to spend time with my two dogs and family.
Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that people find most interesting.
A: A fun fact about me is that I own a flock of hair sheep and raise lambs.

10/17/2024

Our Next Vet Tech Week spotlight is on Kristina. She is one of our remarkable equine technicians here at Anoka Equine. We asked her a few questions so you can get to know her a little better!
Q: What is your favorite appointment or surgery to be a part of at Anoka Equine?
A: My favorite procedure to help with is a Gastroscope.
Q: What is your favorite breed of horse?
A: My favorite breed is a Quarter Horse
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work after you hang up your superhero cape at the end of your shift?
A: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work after you hang up your superhero cape at the end of your shift? My favorite thing to do outside of work is to spend time with my horses and dog, as well as doing photography.
Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that people find most interesting.
A: A fun fact about me is when I was 8 years old I was an International pedal tractor pull Champion

10/17/2024

Our next Vet Tech Week spotlight is on Sam M. She is one of our phenomenal CVT's here at Anoka Equine. We asked her a few questions so you can get to know her a little better!
Q: What is your favorite appointment or surgery to be a part of at Anoka Equine?
A: I really like working on wounds/lacerations of any kind, and also emergency care of foals.
Q: What is your favorite breed of horse?
A: Friesians and any of the Draft horse breeds are my favorites.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work after you hang up your superhero cape at the end of your shift?
A: I enjoy going to the gym, horseback riding and hanging out with friends and family in my free time.
Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that people find most interesting.
A: I'm good at doing wedding and prom hairstyles.

10/17/2024

Our next Vet Tech Week spotlight is on Dani. She is one of our extraordinary technicians here at Anoka Equine. We asked her a few questions so you can get to know her a little better!
Q: What is your favorite appointment or surgery to be a part of at Anoka Equine?
A: Any advanced dentistry procedure or intaking a foal emergency! Watching the team work together swiftly and efficiently to help save a life is such a cool thing to be a part of.
Q: What is your favorite breed of horse?
A: I love a good working quarter horse, or I'm a sucker for any draft horse.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work after you hang up your superhero cape at the end of your shift?
A: I love spending time with my son & husband and our dogs, or being at the barn with my horse. Anything outside, really, is my favorite past time outside of work.
Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that people find most interesting.
A: I was born 3 months prematurely! I spent the first 6ish months of my life in and out of the hospital with blood transfusions and all. I'm lucky to be here and firmly believe I am here to make a difference in some shape or form 🙂

10/16/2024

Our Next Vet Tech Week spotlight is on Lindsey. Lindsey is our incredibly talented Ambulatory Vet Assistant at Anoka Equine. You can find her riding with the veterinarians in their trucks, and assisting with field appointments. We asked her a few questions so you can get to know her a little better!
Q: What is your favorite appointment or surgery to be a part of at Anoka Equine?
A: I really enjoy assisting with laceration repair.
Q: What is your favorite breed of horse?
A: Warmblood
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work after you hang up your superhero cape at the end of your shift?
A: My favorite thing to do after work is to spend time with my own horses. I also love to have bonfires with smores!
Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that people find most interesting.
A: I used to be a climbing instructor for kids on rock walls, high rope courses, and ziplines.

10/16/2024

Our Next Vet Tech Week spotlight is on Kelsey. She is one of our outstanding techs here at Anoka Equine. This year she also took on the role of working solely with our repro veterinarians during our very busy breeding season. We asked her a few questions so you can get to know her a little better!

Q: What is your favorite appointment or surgery to be a part of at Anoka Equine?
A: I love emergencies of any kind especially those that need to go to surgery right away. Our exceptional team dynamic allows us to swiftly spring into action, providing top-notch care and support to horses and owners in need.
Q: What is your favorite breed of horse?
A: I grew up with Arabians and they will always hold a special place in my heart, but in truth, I love any horse with a kind demeanor.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work after you hang up your superhero cape at the end of your shift?
A: I love to hit the crossfit gym, spend time in the saddle with my own horses and watch my kids play sports.
Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that people find most interesting.
A: To non-horse people it's the fact that I have horses lol. To horse people it's the fact that I work at the clinic, and am also a realtor..... two very different careers 😆

10/16/2024

Our next Vet Tech spotlight is on Micheyla. She is one of the exceptional CVT's at Anoka Equine. We asked her a few questions so you can get to know her a little better!
Q: What is your favorite appointment or surgery to be a part of at Anoka Equine?
A: I enjoy being a part of arthroscopic surgeries. It's interesting to see the joints through the arthroscopy camera!
Q: What is your favorite breed of horse?
A: My favorite breed of horse is the Quarter Horse.
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work after you hang up your superhero cape at the end of your shift?
A: I enjoy spending time with my horse, Tally, and friends and family!
Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that people find most interesting.
A: Last summer I hiked 10 miles through the river in Zion National Park!

10/15/2024

Our Next Vet Tech Week spotlight is on Jennie. Jennie is our hard working Breeding Department Manager at AE, but when breeding season slows down, you can also find her assisting in any appointment she is needed for. We asked her a few questions so you can get to know her a little better!
Q: What is your favorite appointment or surgery to be a part of at Anoka Equine?
A: Collecting stallions of course!
Q: What is your favorite breed of horse?
A: Arabian
Q: What is your favorite thing to do outside of work after you hang up your superhero cape at the end of your shift?
A: Spending time with my family.
Q: Tell us a fun fact about yourself that people find most interesting.
A: I like going on adventures with my husband on our Harley Davidson.