Orange County Equine Veterinary Services

03/01/2025

Today is , a day created to bring attention to equine welfare and the plight of unwanted and neglected horses. It's also a great time to recognize all of the equine veterinarians who give selflessly of their time and resources to aid horses in need. THANK YOU for all you do to make a difference in your community!

Want to help celebrate today's observance? Though not everyone has the space and resources to adopt an equine companion, there are many charitable groups that you can support who devote their work to protecting these magnificent animals. One of them is the AAEP's own charitable arm, The Foundation for The Horse, an organization dedicated to improving horse welfare through veterinary education, research and help for equines at risk. By supporting the Foundation, you can help us transform the health of horses around the world!

To learn more about the Foundation and to donate, visit: https://www.foundationforthehorse.org/

02/26/2025

👏Welcome Rebecca to the OC Equine team! 👏
Rebecca began riding at the age of 10 with her first pony, Brown Sugar. She had a highly successful junior career under the guidance of Karen Healey, winning the PCHA Horsemanship and Rosewood Medal Finals. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and a Masters in Information and Library Science from Pratt Institute.

Joining our team allows Rebecca to combine her two greatest passions—horses and organizing information. When she’s not in the office, you can find her at the barn, teaching beginner riders and spending time with her favorite ponies and horses.

If you call in to schedule an appointment give her a warm welcome 🤗

02/10/2025

We’ve been seeing lots of colics lately 😮‍💨

So here’s what to expect when the vet comes out to see your colicky horse 🤞

1. We ask you for lots of info - What signs they’re showing, changes in eating and manure habits, new hay or feed?
2. Vet performs a physical exam to evaluate pain level and severity of colic.
3. Administer medications to safely perform additional diagnostic tests and relieve pain.
4. Perform diagnostic tests to further evaluate cause and severity including re**al palpation, nasogastric intubation, and possibly abdominal ultrasound and bloodwork.
5. Veterinarian will advise you how to monitor at home or if referral to the hospital for intensive care is in the horses best interest.

❗️Important Reminders❗️
Ask the vet before giving any medications! Things like banamine, bute, and ace make it difficult for us to interpret how the horse feels. (Side note- DO NOT give banamine in the muscle!)

Nasogatsric intubation (tubing) is both diagnostic and therapeutic! We can check to see if they have a back up of stomach fluid (🤮) and if not administer water and electrolytes.

Re**al palpation is not therapeutic (i.e. we aren’t removing p**p to make them feel better) it is a diagnostic tool for us to evaluate for distension, impaction, or displacement of the GI. Horses have a very fragile GI system which can easily tear, therefore re**al exams should only be performed by licensed veterinarians!

We hope we don’t have to see you for a colic! 🙈

01/20/2025

Our office is closed today, Monday 20th for MLK Jr. Day 🙏

Please call if you have an emergency! Texting and email is not monitored after hours, on weekends or holidays!

12/31/2024

New Year, New Health Goals for Your Horse! 🐴✨

As we ring in 2025, it’s the perfect time to set a New Year’s resolution for your horse’s health. We believe that prevention is the best medicine, and starting the year with an annual wellness exam is the best way to keep your horse healthy and happy all year long. Here’s why regular check-ups matter, no matter your horse’s age:

🔎Early Detection of Health Issues: Many conditions, like lameness, dental problems, and metabolic disorders, can be subtle in the early stages. Regular exams help us spot these issues before they become serious.

👩🏻‍⚕️Vaccines & Preventative Treatments: Keeping up with vaccinations, deworming, and other preventative treatments ensures your horse is protected from illness and disease.

🍎Diet and Nutritional Guidance: We can review your horse’s diet and make recommendations to support their health, whether they’re in training or enjoying a relaxed retirement.

⏳Monitoring Long-Term Health: For horses with ongoing conditions, annual exams are crucial for monitoring their progress and adjusting treatment plans as needed.

At Orange County Equine, our wellness exams are thorough and tailored to your horse’s specific needs. Whether it’s a routine check-up or a deep dive into specific concerns, we’re here to support your horse’s health every step of the way.

Contact us to schedule your horse’s annual wellness exam and start 2025 off right!

12/24/2024

Wishing you all a peaceful holiday season!

We will be on call for ERs as usual, but our office staff will be out enjoying the holidays listed above ✨

Merry Christmas and happy holidays,
OC Equine

12/13/2024

🌟 Diagnosing & Managing Endocrine Disorders in Horses 🌟

At Orange County Equine, we are well versed in diagnosing and managing endocrine disorders like Insulin Dysregulation (IR) and PPID (Cushing’s Disease)—conditions that can significantly affect your horse’s health and quality of life. Here’s what you should know:

🔎Early Detection is Key: Regular blood tests and a thorough evaluation can help identify issues like insulin dysregulation or PPID before they lead to more serious complications.
📝Customized Management Plans: We work closely with you to develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include diet changes, medications, and regular monitoring.
🍭Insulin Dysregulation (IR): Affects your horse’s ability to regulate blood sugar, leading to risk factors for laminitis and metabolic issues. Early intervention helps control the condition and improve your horse’s quality of life.
🐴PPID (Cushing’s Disease): Common in older horses, PPID affects hormone production and can lead to symptoms like abnormal coat growth, excessive drinking, and laminitis. Medication, diet adjustments, and regular vet visits can help manage symptoms.
✋Preventing Laminitis: Both IR and PPID can increase the risk of laminitis, but with proactive care, we can work to reduce that risk and keep your horse moving comfortably.
🧐Ongoing Monitoring: Endocrine disorders often require long-term management. We provide consistent follow-ups to ensure that your horse remains stable and healthy.

If your horse is showing signs of fatigue, excessive thirst, a long or curly coat, or changes in body condition (fat or rapidly thin), contact us today to discuss endocrine testing and treatment options.

12/10/2024

🎉Today is our last day of introductions for Dr. DeBusk! 🎉

When she is not hard at work, you can find Kaylee spending time with family, trying out new restaurants with her husband (send us your recs!), paddle boarding with her dog, Rose, or reading mystery/thriller novels.

Dr. DeBusk is excited to be joining the team at OC Equine and can’t wait to meet you and your horses!

12/05/2024

🚨 Emergency Care 🚨

When your horse needs urgent care, you can count on Orange County Equine, your local experts, to be there every step of the way. Here’s what sets us apart:

✅ Reliable: We’re available 24/7, ensuring your horse gets the care they need—whenever they need it.

⏱️ Timely: We understand that in an emergency, time matters. Our team responds quickly and effectively to address urgent situations.

🤝 Honest: Transparency is key. We provide clear, honest communication and treatment options so you can make informed decisions for your horse.

⚡ Efficient: We’re focused on providing fast, quality care to get your horse back on their hooves and feeling better as soon as possible.

🧡Local Experts: As Orange County locals, we’re proud to serve our community with personalized, compassionate care you can trust.

No one wants to think about emergencies, but when they happen, you can rely on us to provide expert care right here at home. Contact us anytime—we’re here for you!

12/03/2024

🌟Getting to know Dr. Kaylee DeBusk 🌟

Just like Dr. Hunter and Dr. Botello, Dr. DeBusk was awarded the American College of Veterinary Surgeons Outstanding Surgery Student Award during her fourth year of veterinary school at Texas A&M. This is awarded to one graduating veterinarian per class who displays exceptional care of large animals undergoing surgery.

Dr. DeBusk’s interests include general and preventive medicine, dentistry, and in-field surgery.

She will be joining our doctors in providing exceptional general practice medicine as well as thoughtful emergency care!

11/30/2024

🌟Small Business Saturday! 🌟
This Small Business Saturday, we’re celebrating the heart and soul of our community—small businesses like ours that keep your horses happy and healthy!

You can help us thrive by:
✅ Ordering through our online pharmacy for convenient, quality products.
✅ Following us on social media for tips, updates, and equine care advice.
✅ Sharing our page and recommending us to your friends who love their horses as much as we do.

Every referral supports our mission to provide top-notch veterinary care for your horses. Thank you for being part of our journey! 🙏

11/28/2024

This Thanksgiving, we at OC Equine are grateful for our amazing clients, dedicated team, and, of course, the wonderful horses that bring so much joy to our lives.

Wishing everyone a day filled with warmth, gratitude, and plenty of time to enjoy the things that matter most.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at OC Equine!
🧡

11/21/2024

🐴The Importance of a Thorough Pre-Purchase Exam🐴

Buying a horse is a big decision, and making sure you choose the right one is essential for both your safety and long-term success. At Orange County Equine, we believe that a thorough pre-purchase exam is a crucial step in the process. Here’s why:

🔍 Comprehensive Evaluation: Our pre-purchase exams are thorough and detailed, typically lasting 2-4 hours. We assess every body system— from the hooves to the heart, joints and soundness—to ensure the horse is in optimal condition. Additional diagnostics like X-rays, bloodwork, drug screening are recommended and available!

✅ Know What You’re Buying: We check for health issues or potential concerns that could affect the horse’s performance, longevity, or suitability for your needs—whether you’re buying for competition, trail riding, or just as a companion.

👀 Meet Your Expectations: A pre-purchase exam helps ensure the horse will meet your expectations. We provide you with a clear understanding of the horse’s health status that day so you can make an informed decision.

💡Avoid Unexpected Costs: When you do a pre-purchase exam, you are investing in your future. The exam helps identify potential issues, saving you from costly surprises after the purchase that could have been identified with a thorough exam.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer or an experienced equestrian, having a trusted veterinary team conduct a thorough pre-purchase exam is the best way to ensure you’re making a sound investment in your horse’s future.

Contact us today to schedule your pre-purchase exam and make sure your next equine partner is the right fit! 🐴🧡

11/18/2024

🎉Congrats Dr. Fertig! 🎉
Another beautiful ride to get the win 🏆

We are so proud of Dr Katherine Fertig for her win on New White M at the Split Rock Los Angeles National yesterday! 💜🙌🏼🐴

From young rising stars to seasoned veterans, ArthramidVet is the scientifically backed solution trusted by vets & top riders and trainers to support joint health and mobility. It helps keep equine athletes sound, healthy, and performing at their best for longer.

As we celebrate extraordinary moments at events like the Split Rock Jumping Tour, we take pride in knowing champions rely on ArthramidVet to stay at the top of their game. Whether your horse is chasing their next big win or maintaining long-term soundness, ArthramidVet helps ensure they’re ready to compete and excel.

🐴 Talk to your vet today to see how ArthramidVet can benefit your horse’s performance and longevity!

Download the Split Rock app here to watch the rest of the show! https://apps.apple.com/us/app/split-rock-jumping-tour/id1460292167



Split Rock Jumping Tour

11/15/2024

🌟Please help us welcome Dr. Kaylee DeBusk to the Orange County Equine team! 🌟

Dr. DeBusk is an Orange County native who spent most childhood weekends at the barn cultivating her passion for horses.

After graduating from Washington State University with a degree in Animal Science she went on to earn her Doctorate from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine with her clinical year of veterinary school at Texas A&M.

Dr. DeBusk completed a competitive rotating hospital internship at Chaparral Veterinary Medical Center in Arizona 🌵where she stayed on as an associate prior to moving back home to the OC.

We are so excited to bring on this wonderful, highly recommended veterinarian, to our thriving practice!

Keep an eye out for more posts and getting to know Dr. DeBusk this month! 🎉

11/13/2024

As the Cooler Temps Arrive, Don’t Forget Electrolytes for Your Horse🌡️

As temperatures shift and we head into cooler weather, it’s easy to overlook the importance of hydration and electrolytes for your horse. But we’ve been seeing an increase in colic cases, especially colon impactions and dehydration, as horses can still become dehydrated even in cooler weather.

Why Electrolytes Matter:
💦 Electrolytes Help Maintain Fluid Balance: Horses lose electrolytes through sweat, urine, and manure, and replacing them is essential for maintaining hydration and proper muscle and nerve function.
💦 Prevent Dehydration: Even in cooler weather, horses can become dehydrated, especially if they’re not drinking enough water. Offering electrolytes helps encourage them to drink and helps balance their hydration levels.
💦Reduce the Risk of Colic: Dehydration is a common cause of colon impactions and other forms of colic, which can be painful and require medical intervention. Providing electrolytes can help reduce this risk.

Tips for Adding Electrolytes:
🧂Electrolyte Supplements: Offering a high-quality electrolyte supplement in your horse’s feed or water can help ensure they’re getting the right balance.
🧂Salt: Alternatively, adding table salt (up to 1 tablespoon per day) to your horse’s feed can also help encourage water consumption and provide essential sodium.

If your horse has been showing signs of colic or isn’t drinking as much as usual, contact us right away for advice and support. At Orange County Equine, we’re here to help you keep your horse healthy through every season.

10/14/2024

Digital Auction is LIVE for the Pony Up for a Cure!

Bid on us! 😂
Well, bid on a wellness exam, dental/float with us! And an OC Equine swag bucket!

🦄🧡👩🏻‍⚕️
Link below and in our story!
https://www.givsum.com/opportunities/pony-up-for-a-cure-digital-auction-f05e4a139/auction/orange-county-equine-veterinary-services-d1678a0d8