Wilhite & Frees Equine Hospital

01/08/2025

A blanket statement (get it?!)
It is understandable that many have opted to blanket their horses due to the extreme weather. However, we have already had calls due to a few blanket mishaps so some things to consider:
❄️Do they need it? Most horses with proper hair coats, shelter, and quality forage do just fine without the addition of a blanket. If your horse is not accustomed to wearing a blanket, it can create unnecessary stress.
❄️ If you choose to implement one, be sure the blanket fits the horse properly and all straps and buckles are safe and not broken. Injuries- like rubs or entanglement can occur from an ill fitting blanket or faulty straps and buckles. There are so many weights, sizes, and types of blankets and sheets. Locally, and have an inventory and a WEALTH of info on how to measure your horse and the best option for their lifestyle.
❄️ CHECK UNDER THEM EVERY DAY. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. Remove the blanket, groom your horse, check for any wounds, and reapply. Our hospital has seen dermatitis from blankets left on horses indefinitely that are not groomed properly as well as wounds that are days old or longer that weren’t discovered because they were covered by a blanket.
🐎 We love cozy horses in quality blankets, but remember- blanket responsibly!

01/06/2025

Due to road conditions our office will remain closed, available for emergency only today. Haleigh will still be answering the phones remotely if you would like to schedule or order prescriptions. Thank you for understanding and stay safe.

01/05/2025

With limited turnout and additional forage to combat frigid temperatures, hydration is crucial to combat impaction colic through the next week. Below are some tricks we use at WFEH to encourage horses to drink.
💧 Provide access to loose salt. If you add salt to a grain ration or implement electrolyte paste/powders ensure your horse has access to PLENTY of fresh water.
💧 Studies have shown that horses prefer water at 45-65 degrees Fahrenheit. Stock tank heaters or heated water buckets are the best bet for keeping water thawed and available to your horse in freezing temps. Automatic waterers should not be taken for granted and need checked multiple times a day especially in freezing temps.
💧Any additives like pictured below are all to help encourage drinking but fresh clean water should be provided at all times.

🐴 What are some of your favorite hydration tips?

01/04/2025

As the storm settles into our area, we hope everyone finds themselves ready (if you are unsure check out our most recent twitch of truth). Dr. Askew is on call this weekend and reports road conditions are quickly deteriorating due to ice. We would like to remind everyone to exercise caution when bringing in or turning out horses. With or without shoes on- asphalt, concrete, and even gravel can be a dangerous fall risk for both horse and human. Be safe, throw some extra hay, and hunker down!

12/31/2024

Happy birthday to a really important guy around WFEH, Ed Reardon! 🎂

12/26/2024

🎁 🐴Remember, if you are doing any late Christmas or New Years horse shopping we offer consultations on purchase exams remotely or purchase exams in the local Kansas City area! For consultations, radiographs and documents can be emailed to our hospital and a doctor will review and report their interpretation of the findings to help you make a decision with as much information as possible. No matter the price tag, a horse is an investment and a commitment. Contact our office today to set up your purchase exam or consultation!

12/25/2024

Merry Christmas and the happiest holiday-neighs from WFEH!

12/24/2024

Twas the Night Before Christmas (Equine Veterinarian Edition)

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the stable, one creature was stirring; he wanted to rest but was unable.
The halters were hung on the stall doors with care,
in hopes that the veterinarian soon would be there.
The rest of the world was nestled all snug in their beds,
while visions of a good night’s sleep danced in the doctor’s head.
And mama in her ‘kerchief and I in my cap,
stood in the barn, this colicky horse keeping us from a nap.
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
his NG tube, vet box, and bucket hit the driveway in a splatter.
Away I tore to the barn door like a flash,
helped him in and picked up his emergency supply stash.
The moon on the breast of the new fallen snow,
seemed to shed some light on the information he needed to know.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
a tube, bucket of mineral oil, buscopan and banamine that made the symptoms disappear.
With a little old DVM, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment he just got us out of this nick.
More rapid than eagles his orders they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Keep on eye on him, and be sure to walk him all night. No food until morning, call me if there is a fright! He should drink plenty of water, and watch his fecal output. When you see the shine of mineral oil you know we are on the right foot!
To the top of the barn to the top of the stall! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
As dry leaves before the wild hurricane fly,
He got into his vet truck and drove off into the night.
So up to the highway the vet truck it flew,
With a vet box full of medicine, and the veterinarian too.
And away he flew, like the down of a thistle;
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight-
“Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”

Written by Sydney Brennecke

12/23/2024

Thank you Wendy McGraw and your talented friend for the delicious and artistic horse cookies, you brought a ton of joy to the hospital this morning! Thank you to all who have had treats and snacks and flowers delivered to us for the season’s festivities! Thank you to all our clients who trust us with the care of their wonderful horses, and who appreciate the hard work and dedication of our staff at WFEH!
Happy Holidays to all!

12/17/2024

Peculiar Drive is currently closed to the south of the clinic. If you are traveling from Kansas on YY you will need to turn North on Harper Road (before Peculiar Drive) and then right on Peculiar Way and right on Peculiar Drive to come out north of the clinic. Additionally, you can travel through Peculiar to the interstate and travel north on 71 to Peculiar Way and exit left to Peculiar Drive north of the clinic. Feel free to contact our office for any help navigating to the practice!

12/06/2024

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from WFEH! We hope you get to spend the day feasting with the people and horses you love! We are so grateful to all of our clients for choosing us to help care for their horses. We are also thankful to our hardworking staff. They are an amazing team and we couldn’t do it without them! A special thanks to the on call team (Dr. Trahan, Dr. Johnson, Laura and Mia) for covering emergencies and surgery on call so we can have extra time with our families this holiday and weekend.

Our office is emergency only today-Sunday. We will return to the office on Monday. As always you can reach us on an emergency basis by calling our regular line (816) 779-0100 and the answering service will reach out to the on call doctor. Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁

11/27/2024

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 fecal 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 equine veterinarian remains your best source of information!

11/25/2024

If you are planning your Christmas shopping attack this week, remember the horse owner in your life! We have our first aid kit toolboxes stocked and ready to go. They travel and store perfectly in your tack box or trailer tack room. They are pretty easy to wrap too! 😉 Don’t want the entire toolbox? We have smaller “bandaging bags” that make great stocking stuffers too!

11/23/2024

Have you heard the old saying, “a horse is worth 100 pounds for every time it can roll completely over?” There are so many equestrian sayings and superstitions. What are your favorites?