Lodi Veterinary Care - Equine

12/26/2025

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from Lodi Veterinary Care!

12/22/2025

Motivation Monday...to get the rest of your Christmas cookies baked!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSfYnnMDfm8/?igsh=MTc2d3QyMmR5eWo1ZA==

12/19/2025

12/18/2025

Just like your veterinarian may palpate your horse’s tendons during a lameness exam, they may also palpate the inside of your horse’s mouth during an oral exam. However, that doesn’t mean the lameness exam is finished and the teeth aren’t any different! To achieve good visualization, some form of the following tools is needed:

Sedation – helps relax your horse and quiet their tongue

Head support – headstand, dental halter, dental ring, etc.

Bright light source – headlamp or speculum light

Mirror or oral scope – necessary to see all aspects of the teeth and gingiva

If you have questions about your equine's oral health or would like to schedule a dental exam, contact your horse doctor.

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

12/17/2025

Happy Holidays from Lodi Vet!

We will be closed for Christmas Eve starting at 12PM, and all day Christmas and New Year's Day. As usual, we have an equine vet available for emergencies. Should you need our help, please call the office at 608-592-7755.

12/16/2025

As the cold winter weather trudges on, here are some important tips and reminders to keep your equine companions 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 than 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.

8. The tips of your horses' ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting on a WATERPROOF ear bonnet or other WATERPROOF ear covering 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.

12/15/2025

Monday motivation!

12/13/2025

More cold weather reminders:

The biggest concern for horses in winter is maintaining their body temperature. To stay warm during the cold season, a horse burns extra calories and this can negatively impact their health and body condition — particularly if the horse went into winter in only moderate condition, or if he is elderly or ill.

The graphic shows five things you can do to make sure your horse stays healthy through the cold months. Be sure to consult your veterinarian about any diet or lifestyle changes that may be necessary for your horse to maintain his condition this winter, and don’t forget to monitor your animal's water intake to minimize the risk of impaction colic.

Read more and find additional useful winter care information on our educational partner Equus’s website athttps://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/cs_srgb/MTc3MjU5MjQyNjYxNjE4ODQ5/equus-extra-37-.pdf

12/13/2025

With a chilly weekend ahead of us, see these reminders about cold weather care for your horse:
❄️ Warm water, extra hay, and shelter are among the most important things you can do to ensure your horse is unphased by the severe weather.
❄️Extra hay should be divided out into multiple small meals, vs. all at once to prevent impaction colics.
❄️2 tablespoons of loose salt per day in grain or a mash helps horses to drink more water during cold. Loose, free choice salt is ideal. If your horse is not used to this, it should be introduced slowly to prevent over consumption.

12/13/2025

Stay warm out there this weekend!

12/11/2025

We love spending time with friends and colleagues. American Association of Equine Practitioners' convention and continuing education events are a great time to get together.

12/11/2025

ThrowbackThursday:
Dr. Brenna Wetherbee at a horseback riding camp with her grandparents when she was 5-6 years old.