Southside Equine Services

10/20/2025

Come on out December 6th, 2025, and help support a great rescue and have a great time!

09/30/2025

Missing Horse from Brookneal area. Contact Danielle directly with any information

08/29/2025

Southside Equine Services will be closed, Monday, September 1, 2025 in observance of Labor Day. We will resume regular business hours on Tuesday, September 2nd. Wishing our clients and their families a relaxing and safe weekend!

07/20/2025

This has been an especially hot summer already with no signs of letting up soon. Make sure your horses (and their humans) have access to clean water, minimize riding during the hottest parts of the day, and make sure your barn fans are clean of dust and debris to help prevent barn fires. Stay safe out there!

A dangerous, long-duration heat wave will impact the Southeast, Mid-South, and Midwest through late July. Extreme heat, high humidity, and little overnight relief pose serious health risks. Stay cool, hydrated, and informed: http://weather.gov/safety/heat

07/16/2025

**🐴🦟 Is Your Horse Itching More Than Usual? It Could Be Insect Bite Hypersensitivity!**

Insect Bite Hypersensitivity (IBH), also known as “sweet itch,” is a common allergic skin condition in horses caused by bites from tiny culicoides midges and other biting insects.

🔍 **Common Symptoms:**

* Intense itching—especially around the mane, tail, belly, and face
* Hair loss or scabbing from rubbing and scratching
* Thickened, inflamed skin in chronic cases
* Hives, welts, and granulomas (hard lumps under the skin) in severe cases

🛡️ **What You Can Do:**
Fly control and fly bite reduction are key to management
✅ Use fly sheets, masks, and/or fly boots to provide a physical barrier against flies
✅ Apply daily insect repellents such as a fly spray like Endure or Ultrashield, an ointment like SWAT, or a wipe on product like Farnham Wipe. Remember some products work better in certain geographical areas and some horses can react to certain products so finding a product that works for you horse can take some trial and error
✅ Use a topical pour on like Equi-spot or Ultraboss every 2 weeks for added fly and tick protection
✅ Stable your horse during peak midge activity (dawn/dusk) and use barn-safe fans to reduce flies around your horses
✅ Put up fly traps AWAY from the barn. Flies can smell the attractant in these traps up to180 ft away so placing them further out from the stables can draw the flies away from the horses
✅ Use fly predators OR a feed through fly control like Simpli-fly. Do not use a feed through with fly predators as it will kill your fly predators
✅ Remove manure and soiled bedding/feed frequently and locate your manure pile away from the barn/run-in
✅ Ask us about supplements, topical products, and treatment options like antihistamines, corticosteroids, or immunotherapy

📆 Summer is peak season—don’t wait until your horse is uncomfortable. If you notice symptoms, we’re here to help!

📍 Call us to schedule a skin check today.

07/10/2025

Southside Equine Services will be closed on Friday, July, 11, 2025. If you need emergency assistance, please contact one of the following referral hospitals:

Blue Ridge Equine Clinic 4734-973-7947
VA Tech Emergency Line 540-231-4621
NC State Emergency Line 919-513-6500

All voicemail and text messages will be responded to on Monday, July 14th. Thank you!

07/03/2025

Southside Equine Services will be closed tomorrow in observance of the 4th of July holiday. Wishing all our clients and their families a safe and happy 4th!

06/19/2025

🔥🐴 Beat the Heat: Protect Your Horse from Heat Stroke! ☀️💦

Hot, humid days can be dangerous for horses—heat stroke is a real risk when the heat index (temperature + humidity) climbs. Keep your horse safe with these summer essentials:

🌡️ Check the heat index daily—if it's above 160 (temp °F + humidity %), limit exercise or try to ride during the cooler parts of the day like morning or evening!
💨 Use safe, enclosed-motor fans in barns—no exposed blades or cords horses can chew! Check your fans carefully for dust and spiderwebs and ALEAYS USE a fan with an enclosed motor as inappropriate fans are a common source of barn fires
💧 Ensure 24/7 access to cool, clean water
🌳 Provide shade or turn out during cooler morning/evening hours
🚿 Cool down horses after work with water baths & airflow

🧂🐴 Don’t Skip the Salt – Your Horse Needs It! 💧☀️

Did you know horses lose essential electrolytes, like sodium, through sweat—especially in hot weather or during exercise?

👉 Here’s how to help: ✅ Provide free-choice plain red salt (block or loose) year-round
✅ Offer 1–2 tablespoons of loose table salt daily in feed if they’re not using the block
✅ Use electrolyte supplements during heavy work or extreme heat
✅ Always have fresh, clean water available if using water additive electrolytes or flavor enhancers.

⚠️ Signs of heat stress: heavy sweating, rapid breathing, weakness, or collapse. Don’t wait—call your vet and get as much cool water on your horse while you wait. There is no need to wet then sweat scrape, just keep hosing those large back and hind end muscles to help cool body temperature.

Stay cool & ride smart!

06/15/2025

🔥 Barn Fire Prevention Tips – Protect Your Horses & Property 🔥

Barn fires are devastating and often preventable. With a few proactive steps, you can help keep your animals and facility safe:

✅ No smoking anywhere near the barn
✅ Clean dust & cobwebs regularly—these are highly flammable
✅ Store hay properly—dry, well-ventilated, and away from electrical sources
✅ Inspect wiring annually for damage or rodent activity
✅ Use metal containers for oily rags and flammable materials
✅ Install smoke detectors & fire extinguishers (and check them regularly!)
✅ Keep exit paths clear and practice emergency plans with staff

Prevention saves lives.

What measures have you taken to reduce fire risks in your barn? 🧯

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, in 2024 there have been 16,940 reported wildfires in the U.S. to date. As we head into the hottest time of the year, make sure your farm has a fire prevention plan and an evacuation strategy in place to keep both horses and people safe.

Check out the graphic for ten fire prevention measures to get you started on the right track to a safer facility. This list is not meant to be exhaustive and we invite you to contact your local fire department and your veterinarian for guidance on designing a prevention and response plan tailored to your specific situation.

Barn fires are the number one local emergency affecting agricultural facilities. They can cause horrific injuries and kill more horses than any other type of disaster, so being prepared is only in your best interest!

06/09/2025

Cosequin Raffle!
If you use Cosequin for your horse, then here's a chance to win a Cosequin bucket, 2 bags of Cosequin ASU Balance, and lots of Cosequin merch and premium items! Just order from their website and use code EQV0105. Each bag ordered equals a raffle entry.
Good Luck!!!

05/23/2025

Our office will be closed on Memorial Day (Monday, May 26th) in honor of those both human and 4-legged who gave their lives in service to our country.

05/08/2025

We are honored to announce the Dr. Brandon Mallard Veterinary Scholarship Fund, created to celebrate the life and legacy of a compassionate veterinarian, mentor, and friend. Dr. Mallard dedicated his life to caring for animals and inspiring future generations of veterinary professionals.

This scholarship will support aspiring veterinarians who share Brandon’s passion, empathy, and commitment to animal health and welfare.

Help us continue his legacy by donating or spreading the word. Your support can help future veterinarians follow in his footsteps and make a lasting impact—just as he and Dr Heather Hunnicutt did. Rest in peace Dr Brandon and Dr Heather from the NCSU CVM Class of 2015, you were taken from us too soon.