Equine Surgical Center at ThorSport Farm

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Equine Surgical Center at ThorSport Farm

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Equine Surgical Center at ThorSport Farm, Veterinarian, 3079 Armstrong Valley Road, Murfreesboro, TN.
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10/15/2024

Familiar grounds, unfinished business. Are you ready for the 2024 PBR Camping World Teams Championship?

Equine Surgical Center at ThorSport Farm
Farm Paint
Tenda Horse Products

10/05/2024

Among our sponsors is The Equine Surgical Center at ThorSport Farm, in Murfreesboro, where Dr. Everett and his team specialize in providing state-of-the-art care for performance horses.

09/18/2024

As all horse owners know, horses get themselves into the occasional sticky situation. One of the most common injuries seen in horses is lacerations. Some wounds are easy enough to manage at home; however, many wounds require more intense care than can reasonably be provided by just the owner.
This is a case study of a Quarter Horse gelding presenting with a left hindlimb laceration. The laceration was located on the front side of the hock in an area with a high range of motion. Radiographs were taken before the wound was clipped and cleaned. The wound was debrided, and the process of suturing began. The horse was placed in a full-limb bandage and kept on strict stall rest at the hospital. For a short time, daily regional limb profusions were performed to concentrate antibiotics into the area of the wound. He was placed on oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs as well.
The wound was cleaned and rewrapped once a day for the first week. After the first week, the gelding was placed under anesthesia for further wound flushing and repair. After surgery, the bandage was changed every other day for another week. The horse remained at the hospital for 71 days, receiving antibiotics and wound care before being released to the owners.
Now, he is back doing what he loves best with his young rider and making memories to last a lifetime. It is hard to believe the leg was ever compromised.

08/15/2024

A big thank you to the partners of the Nashville Stampede! Be sure to stop by their booths on the Plaza during the Stampede Street Party.

Champion Power Equipment
Dan Post Boot Company
Virgin Hotels Las Vegas
Wrangler
American Hat Company
Western Horseman
ORCA Coolers
EZ-ACCESS
Tuff Shed
Equine Surgical Center at ThorSport Farm

07/26/2024

Exciting new diagnostic equipment has arrived at the Equine Surgical Center. A dynamic endoscope allows for a clear picture of the upper airway while a horse is in work. The scope is the smallest on the market, allowing for further comfort for the horse while still providing high-quality diagnostic images. With attachments for both western and English tack, the endoscope can provide footage during any ride. The endoscope transmits through Bluetooth to the receiver, providing clear, real-time footage to the veterinary team on the ground throughout the ride.

07/24/2024

Rain rot can be an extremely frustrating ailment for both the horse and its owner. This ailment is caused by the bacterium known as Dermatophilus congolensis. The bacterium lives on the horse’s skin mostly dormant; however, wet conditions allow the bacterium to incite an inflammatory infection that creates lesions on the skin. Lesions appear as small patches of raised bumps, like scabs that contain clusters of hair. When these scabs are removed, bald patches are noted across the affected area. These lesions can infect multiple layers of the skin as well.

Rain rot is most often noted across the horse’s topline, but it is also seen along the rump, face, legs, and even abdomen. It is important to assess the horse hands on especially during the winter months under blankets and thick hair. These lesions are often not particularly itchy, but they can become quite painful.

Studies have shown that horses with lighter coat colors, such as chestnut and palomino, are more susceptible to rain rot. In addition, horses who have been compromised in some way, such as through illness or prolonged exposure to inclement weather,.

The best prevention for rain rot is to practice good hygiene. Regular bathing and grooming will help prevent rain rot from occurring, as will keeping the horse sheltered from inclement weather. Reducing access to mud can also help prevent skin conditions on the legs.

Treating rain rot is usually simple. Bathing the horse with an antimicrobial soap can help remove the scabs and eliminate the bacterium on the skin. Grooming can also promote healing and prevent the spread of the lesions. Horses with rain rot should be isolated from those without, and all grooming tools should be disinfected well after use. In severe cases, antibiotics might be warranted from your veterinarian to get the initial infection under control.

07/10/2024

It’s ! Farriers are an important part of the team of health care professionals working with horses. There’s a common saying: no hoof, no horse. Without properly educated farriers, horses would not be able to perform the work so often asked of them.

One of the many ways the vet and farrier teams work together is by using radiographs to visualize the inside of the hoof. The hoof capsule provides protection for the delicate internal features while also allowing for shock absorption. While it is easy to view a hoof from the outside and assume all is well, the capsule can hide unhealthy structures. Radiographs and other diagnostic imaging provide a window into the other half of the hoof.

Radiographs allow for examination of the bones of PIII, also known as the coffin bone, navicular bone, and the coffin joint surfaces. By imaging these bones, the soft tissue structures can also be noted. The coffin bone is suspended in the capsule by soft tissue that maintains the structure and function of the hoof.

Sole depth is easily visible by the vertical distance between the palmar/plantar margins of PIII and the outer surface of the sole. A healthy equine foot should have at least 15 mm of sole depth. Thin soles can cause many lameness issues that require intensive work from both veterinarians and farriers. The dorsal horn-lamellar (H-L) zone width measures from the dorsal surface of PIII to the outer surface of the dorsal hoof wall. This should be measured just below the extensor process and near the distal tip of PIII. The rotation of PIII is measured here and can show signs of laminitis and white line disease. Widening as it moves down the hoof wall can indicate the rotation of laminitis or the separation of white line disease. The coronary-extensor process (C-E) distance measures the vertical distance between the proximal extent of the outer hoof wall and the top of the extensor process of PIII. Most horses are between 0 and 15 mm in measurement and can assist in diagnosing the displacement of PIII, which can be indicative of founder. The palmar angle can be visualized by measuring the palmar or plantar margin of PIII relative to the ground surface. In healthy hooves, the palmar angle is positive, which means the wings of PIII are higher than the apex. A high palmar angle may be found in horses with club feet, laminitis, and other conditions. A negative palmar angle points to a loss of structural integrity.

07/05/2024

This brings a fun fact about the equine skeleton! Horses have 205 bones in their bodies; however, many Arabian horses have fewer! Arabians tend to be missing one rib, one lumbar vertebra, and two tail vertebrae! These missing bones contribute to the unique short back and high tail set.

07/04/2024

Happy Independence Day from Equine Surgical Center at ThorSport Farm!

07/03/2024

With Independence Day tomorrow, many organizations are spreading information on how to keep cats and dogs safe during the celebrations. Fireworks can also be disruptive or even dangerous to horses. The flashing lights and loud bangs can be especially frightening to prey animals who attempt to remove themselves from stressful situations by any means necessary.
These are some simple tips to keep horses safe during the celebrations.

💥Keep Your Horse In Their Routine
If you plan to bring horses in for the fireworks, start bringing them in before to allow them to adjust to the change.
💥Remain Calm
Horses are very attuned to the emotions of their handlers. Remaining calm can help the horse also remain calm as they feed on the energy around them.
💥Use Distractions
Horses are more likely to remain calm if there are distractions. Provide plenty of hay, even to horses kept in a field, to keep them eating. Providing a radio for stalled horses might also help distract from the sounds of the fireworks.
💥Sedatives
Ask your vet if sedatives are appropriate for your situation. Some horses who are known to panic and become dangerous are good candidates for a short-term, safe sedative to protect them during the celebrations.
💥Check Your Surroundings
Ensure all fencing is in good repair and visible to the horse. Fencing that is difficult to see or broken can lead to major emergencies if a spooked horse tries their luck.
If stalling, ensure all boards are in good condition and no nails are jutting out. Check all hinges and locks. If you think a horse *might* be able to jump over or through something, it is likely that they can.
💥Watch For Fire Hazards
The likelihood of a firework causing fires is low; however, it is not unheard of. Keep fire extinguishers, sand, and water on hand in the event of a fire. Ensure clear, direct paths to evacuate horses.

It is best to attempt to check on horses throughout the celebrations. The next morning, perform a more thorough examination to check for any cuts, scrapes, or bumps that may have occurred in the excitement. Fireworks can be a beautiful way to celebrate, but precautions must be taken to keep everyone safe.

06/28/2024

It's again! This week's fun fact is about the respiratory system. Horses are obligate nasal breathers. They can only breathe through their nostrils instead of using their mouth. The epiglottis forms an airtight seal with the soft palate to block the passage from the mouth to the lungs. This helps keep their food from accidentally ending up in their lungs!

06/26/2024

With the heat waves torturing everyone and their pets, many horses are not keeping up with their fluid requirements. By consuming less than their required amount of fluids, horses become at risk of colic, poor organ function, and poor performance. Everyone has heard the phrase “you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink,” but there are ways to encourage horses to drink more on their own.

A 1,000lb horse should consume 8–10 gallons of water per day to keep up with baseline fluid requirements. The amount of water increases with heat, travel, lactation, performance, and more. In those cases, just leaving buckets of plain water out for the horse may not be enough to prevent disaster.

-Ensure all water is fresh and clean.
-Regularly deep-clean troughs, buckets, and automatic waterers. Any water leftover in travel tanks should also be replaced before each new trip to ensure freshness. If feasible, keep water sources out of sunlight to prevent algae growth.

-Provide temperature-controlled water when possible.
-Horses prefer to consume water kept between 45°F and 65°F

-Bring water from home.
-Horses can taste the differences in water from new locations. When traveling, bring some water from home to provide a familiar taste to encourage drinking.

-Offer flavored water.
-Some horses will more readily drink flavored water. Some tried-and-true flavors are molasses, orange Gatorade, cherry Kool Aid, and senior feed soaked. If providing flavored water, ensure a plain bucket of water is always also available.

-Provide salt.
-Sodium helps stimulate thirst. Loose table salt can be offered free choice in a separate dish for horses. Many horses are unable to properly consume enough salt from a salt lick; therefore, providing loose salt is a better option. Up to 2 oz. can also be topdressed on the horse’s feed to encourage salt intake

-Offer electrolytes.
-Choose an electrolyte mix specifically formulated to mimic the composition of equine sweat. Unbalanced electrolytes can cause major issues with mineral imbalances and even delay exercise recovery. Ensure the electrolyte chosen does not contain sugar as the first ingredient, as it will be unlikely to provide high enough electrolyte levels.

-Use different-colored water buckets.
-In one study, horses were evaluated based on the amount of water they consumed from different colored water buckets. It was noted that horses preferred to drink water out of the turquoise bucket, no matter the location of the bucket. The next preferred colors were as follows: light blue, light green, green, yellow, and red. Horses much prefer blues, especially in light shades.

Study referenced: https://www.scielo.cl/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0719-81322020000200049 #:~:text=It%20can%20be%20concluded%20that,green%2C%20yellow%2C%20and%20red.

06/21/2024

It’s finally again! This week’s fun fact discusses a layer of protection for the mare while foaling. Horses are born with soft tissue covering their hooves to protect the dam’s birth canal and uterus from damage caused by sharp hooves. The tissue is referred to as fairy slippers, foal slippers, and fairy fingers. Scientifically, the rubbery capsule is known as eponychium. The eponychium hardens and disappears, usually within a few hours of birth.

06/19/2024

Here in Middle Tennessee, the weather is heating up quickly. Summer has arrived in full swing and shows no signs of slowing down. The heat can be rough on horses and lead to many questions for vets on how to handle the rising temperatures.

When contemplating whether it is too hot to ride, the general rule of thumb is to add the air temperature in Fahrenheit to the percent humidity to determine how effectively the horse’s natural cooling mechanisms work. If the combined number is less than 130, the horse operates at peak efficiency. Between 130 and 150, the horse begins to lose some of its ability to cool itself. Greater than 150, the horse starts to rapidly lose its ability to cool itself. Greater than 180, can be fatal to the horse. Horses with higher fitness levels will handle the heat better than those who are only occasionally ridden.

Signs of heat stress in horses
-excessive sweating
-rapid, shallow breathing
-elevated heart rate; lethargy
-stumbling
-flared nostrils
-unpredictable behavior

Ways to prevent heat stress include providing free choice, clean water, shade, electrolytes, fans, loose salt, and misting. To cool an overheated horse, immediately place them in the shade, preferably with a fan. Continuously spray the horse with cold water, especially over areas where blood vessels are more prominent, such as the head, neck, back, and rib areas.

06/14/2024

This is a continuation of the post from Wednesday on neonatal isoerythrolysis. When a foal is diagnosed with NI, it must then be muzzled and fed from a nasogastric tube or from a pan. These foals can either be given milk from a mare with a compatible blood type or given milk replacer. After the 24-hour mark, the foals can be reintroduced to nursing from their dam.

06/12/2024

Neonatal isoerythrolysis is a disease in newborn foals occurring within the first week of life. In most cases, the cause of the disease is the mare producing antibodies against the foal’s red blood cells. These antibodies are then transferred to the foal through the colostrum produced. The mare’s blood type is often different from that of the stallion, and the foal inherits the blood type of the stallion.

Mares that are negative for that blood type can develop antibodies against it due to exposure to blood of a fetus with the incompatible blood type during difficult parturition or even from cases of placentitis or exposure to the blood type during a blood transfusion.

Horses have eight differing blood group systems. The red cell factors commonly associated with NI are as follows: Aa, Ab, Ac, Ka, Pa, Pb, Qa, Qb, Qc, and Ua. Mares can produce enough antibodies during the first NI pregnancy that increases the risk of NI during subsequent pregnancies with the same stallion or a stallion of the same blood type as the original.

When foals consume colostrum within the first 24 hours, the antibodies are absorbed into the foal's blood. The antibodies then attach themselves to the factors (also known as antigens) on the foal’s red blood cells. Several series of reactions then occur to rupture the foal’s red blood cells. The amount of colostrum ingested determines the amount of antibodies present. The disease becomes more severe with the more antibodies absorbed.

NI foals present with lethargy, jaundice, elevated pulse, and anemia. These foals need supportive care, including being muzzled or separated from the mare to prevent further consumption of colostrum. In foals with severe anemia, a blood transfusion might be warranted. Here at Equine Surgical Center, we utilize Dr. Everett’s own gelding named Apache. He has been blood typed and is a wonderful patient for blood collection. This year alone he has had a hoof in saving the lives of three foals.

Certain breeds tend to be more prone to neonatal isoerythrolysis foals, such as Thoroughbreds and Friesians (around 1-2% chance each foal). Mule foals have the highest incidence at 10% due to the possession of the red blood cell antigen known as donkey factor, which the mare lacks.

Photo attached of our excellent donor sporting his shaved patch from his latest blood donation.

06/07/2024

This , we have a fun fact about height. When born, a foal's legs are almost the length they will be at maturity. Some people try to use what is known as a "string test" to determine the finished height of a horse. One method of the string test uses a fabric tape measure or string to measure from the ground to the elbow on a foal. Taking the result and multiplying by two will offer a rough estimate of the adult height in either inches or centimeters.

06/05/2024

As we are in full swing of taking care of what most people consider annual veterinary care, it seemed time to explain the reason behind the most common equine lab test. In Tennessee, an equine infectious anemia, also known as coggins, test should be performed at least once every twelve months. A negative test is required for nearly all shows, trail rides, boarding facilities, and other gatherings of horses. The results are usually reported within 5-7 business days for non-rushed coggins, so be sure to check your expiration long before that next event!

Equine Infectious Anemia is an infectious viral disease in horses and other equids. There is neither a vaccine nor a treatment for the disease. EIAV is often transmitted from horse to horse by biting insects, including horseflies. The infective materials are left on the mouths of the flies and transmitted to the next bite they complete. Needles and other equipment that could host contaminated blood also pose a risk to the unaffected population. Not only do horses actively showing signs of EIAV shed the disease, carriers who do not appear ill can also spread the virus. Horses that survive the disease are carriers for life and must be euthanized or isolated from all other equids. They may also experience flare-ups of the disease during work or stress.

EIA is diagnosed via the EIA/coggins blood test. This test detects antibodies specific to the virus. The first serologic test for EIAV was created in 1970 by Dr. Leroy Coggins, which explains why “coggins” is slang for EIA. Clinical signs appear within a few weeks of exposure, but it can take up to 60 days to test positive.

Many horses and most donkeys and mules that contract the virus do not show clinical signs. Testing is key to managing viruses. The clinical signs of Equine Infectious Anemia are as follows: fever, decreased appetite, severe anemia, sudden death, jaundice, rapid breathing, accelerated heart rate, swollen limbs, bleeding from the horse, red or purple splotches on mucous membranes, and blood-stained f***s. These horses require intense, supportive care in an attempt to survive the disease process. Horses diagnosed must be isolated at least 200 yards away from all other equids for life.

Thanks to mass testing and coggins requirements, the disease is rare. Environmental management and yearly testing go a long way toward keeping this virus at bay. EIA cannot survive in the soil or water. The virus is also only present in the mouths of biting insects for less than four hours. EIA is destroyed by most common disinfectants, such as bleach and alcohol.

Address

3079 Armstrong Valley Road
Murfreesboro, TN
37128

Telephone

+16159858387

Website

http://equinesurgicalcenter.com/

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Videos

The conclusion to the tale of Poppy! Watch until the end to see her walk out of the hospital. We are going to miss this sweet girl, but we look forward to watching her grow at home. #equinesurgicalcenter #equinesurgicalcenteratthorsportfarm #equine #equineveterinarian #equineveterinarymedicine #surgery

#FinishLineFriday #HumeralFractureRepair

In January, a four-month-old Tennessee Walking Horse filly presented to Equine Surgical Center due to a suspected fracture of her left front leg. Upon arriving, she was sedated for radiographs revealing a closed, complete, displaced, mid-diaphyseal spiral fracture of the left humerus. These types of fractures are not uncommon in young foals as they play hard. The fracture was classified based on the following qualifications: closed, skin still intact; complete, bone broken in separate pieces; displaced, a gap exists between the two pieces; mid-diaphyseal, mid-section of bone; spiral, broken with a twisting motion. Fractures in young foals are repaired by either conservative methods of prolonged stall rest and bandaging or surgical methods. Due to the displaced nature of her fracture, “Poppy,” as the filly was affectionately named by staff, was elected to undergo surgery to place a locking compression plate along the bone to stabilize the fracture. A single, stainless-steel plate with 6 screws was placed against the humerus. Poppy recovered from anesthesia uneventfully and walked back to her stall shortly after standing. She was treated with IV antibiotics and anti-inflammatories post-surgery before switching to oral antibiotics. When her dam was allowing her to get too excited on her newly repaired leg, the decision was made to wean Poppy onto Penelope the goat to provide a companion less likely to roughhouse. The two girls quickly became friends by sharing meals and even naps. They adore being doted on by staff as they work on healing Poppy to allow her a brighter future. The intense surgery was assisted by an entire team of human orthopedic specialists led by Dr. McClellan, who provided his expertise in working with traumatic injuries. Collaboration is important to all of us at Equine Surgical Center, and this case highlights that fact well. The possibilities are limitless when we work together.