Mid-South Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery

03/13/2025

We are back from a sunny 😎, windy 🌬️, and rainy 🌧️ Arizona Sun Circuit.

Dispite the inclement weather at times it was a great show, with multiple wins for our clients and trainers.

🧭 Next Stop -> 𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐦/ 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐬𝐞 in Ocala. Dr. Hannah and Dr. Matt will be there for any preventative or emergency care you might need.

☎️ If you need to schedule an appointment at the clinic before you hit the open road please call or text 𝟗𝟒𝟎-𝟐𝟑𝟎-𝟔𝟔𝟏𝟏

03/07/2025

We are sad to announce that today is Tara’s last day.

Tara has been with us for 2 years and has been Dalton’s right hand woman. We are very sad to see her go, but happpy that she is going to pursue her career of being a barrel racing trainer. We wish her all the best and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes.

03/01/2025

☀️ 𝐖𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐍 𝐂𝐈𝐑𝐂𝐔𝐈𝐓 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 ☀️

📍We are located in Barn K stalls 25, 26, 37, 38 facing the main aisle.

🐴 We are here for all of your horses needs. Including but not limited to lameness, x-ray, ultrasound, pre-purchase, shockwave, magnawave, acupuncture, colic, and emergency after hours care.

☎️ Call or text 940-230-6646 to schedule appointments or if you have any questions.

🏆 Good luck to all of our clients, trainers, and owners showing!

02/27/2025

🎂 𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐘 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐇𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐌𝐀𝐂𝐊𝐄𝐍𝐙𝐈𝐄 🎂

🎉 We want to wish a very Happy Birthday to Mackenzie today. She has been with us from the beginning and is a vital asset to the clinic. There isn’t a job she can’t do or won’t try to tackle.

🥳 If you see her today please wish her a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

02/24/2025

💥 𝐖𝐄’𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 💥

▪️We are looking for a day and night shift full-time experienced Equine Veterinary Technician.

▫️This individual will need to be team oriented and self-motivated, with strong work ethics. He or She should have excellent horse handling abilities, able to record documentation and analyze information, have clinical knowledge, familiar with the use of medical technologies, attention to detail, patience and verbal communication are all essential. Advanced computer comprehension with willingness to learn and understand our veterinary software, as well as the software that is used for Advanced Imaging.
Compensation will be dependent upon skill level.

▪️Job responsibilities would include but not limited to:
• Assisting vets in anything they may need
• Holding twitches
• Lunging and jogging horses for lameness exams
• Scrubbing for Injections
• Helping take radiographs
• Running fluid +/- placing catheters
• IV and IM injections
• Document equine and client information
• Review care plans and records
• Assisting in our rehab program
• Complete laboratory test
• Assist in diagnostic imaging (Standing/Traditional MRI and Nucleolar Scintigraphy Machine)
• Assist in daily surgery and emergency surgery when on-call

🌜The night tech position will have a day time training period. This position will be responsible for monitoring and treating patients. After the training period the shift will be from 3:00 pm-12:00 am.

If this sounds like the job for you please email your resume to [email protected], call 940-230-661, or feel free to stop by in person.

02/19/2025

🎉 We are excited to welcome Aubrie to the Mid-South team after she graduates in May.

Aubrie’s interest in equine anesthesia and sports medicine makes her a great fit for our growing practice. Hopefully she will feel right at home with all of our other Mississippi State graduates.

Today, we would like to celebrate Aubrie Watson, a native of Starkville, MS. A fun fact about Aubrie is that she grew up riding horses and spent much of her childhood competing in barrel racing. This is where her deep love for horses began!

When asked about her career interests, Aubrie shared that she is particularly passionate about equine care. Her goal is to work at an equine-only practice, specializing in equine anesthesia and sports medicine.

Aubrie’s favorite experience in the VMT program has been working with cattle during a visit to the dairy farm. It’s an experience that allowed her to learn more about large animal care and further shaped her aspirations in the equine field.

If Aubrie could give one piece of advice to the junior class, it would be to focus on practicing and perfecting technical skills while in the program. These hands-on skills are crucial for success in the veterinary field.

After graduation, Aubrie plans to move to Texas to work at Mid South Equine. She had the opportunity to complete an externship with the practice and instantly fell in love with the work they do.

For anyone considering applying to the program, Aubrie’s advice is to gain as much clinic experience as possible and to work with a variety of animals. She believes that being comfortable around animals is key to excelling in the veterinary field. 🐾

02/18/2025

🧠 𝐓𝐔𝐄𝐒𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝐓𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐀 🧠

🥿Did you know that foals are born with a protective capsule over their hooves? This eponychium, that is also called “golden slippers” or “foal feather” helps protect the mare during gestation and while giving birth.

⏳This spongy protective layer quickly wears off once exposed to air and the foal begins to stand and take its first steps. The full transition from foal feathers to a solid hoof is usually complete in about 48 hours.

☎️ Have questions about your expecting mare or what is normal for a foal’s first 48 hours of life feel free to call or text the office at 𝟗𝟒𝟎-𝟐𝟑𝟎-𝟔𝟔𝟏𝟏

02/17/2025

🥶 𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐂 𝐁𝐋𝐀𝐒𝐓 headed our way

❄️AAEP does a great job explaining ways to keep your horse comfortable during these cold temps!

🧊If your horse or foal is exhibiting signs of struggling with the cold temperatures please feel free to call or text the office at 940-230-6611

As the cold winter weather trudges on, Dr. Sarah Reuss, AAEP Vice President and a horse owner herself, shares the following advice to keep your horse 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 that 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. If you’ve never fed beet pulp before, be sure to add LOTS of warm water. Dry beet pulp is a common source of choke.

8. The tips of your horses' ears can be at risk for frostbite. Putting on a waterproof, jumper-style ear bonnet or other waterproof ear cover 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.

02/14/2025

❤️ If your horse were to write you a poem on 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞’𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲…❤️

Roses 🌹 are red
Violets are blue
I love that you feed me
And pick up my poo!

Happy Valentine’s Day from our clinic to you and your horse!

02/12/2025

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐬 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐲

Stop 1️⃣ is Arizona ☀️ Circuit

▪️Let us know if you need a Coggins, health papers, or have medications you need ordered.

Dr. Tony, Dr. Matt, Dr. Sharnai, Katlin, and Caitlyn will be set up and ready to work as soon as the barns open and we are unloaded.

☎️ Call or text 𝟗𝟒𝟎-𝟐𝟑𝟎-𝟔𝟔𝟒𝟔 while we are at the show to schedule appointments or if you have any questions

📣The line up for the rest of the year includes
🔺𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐓𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐡
🔻𝐎𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐦/ 𝐒𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐬𝐞
🔺𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬
🔻𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐫
🔺𝐍𝐒𝐁𝐀
🔻𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩
🔺𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬
🔻𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰

🥇We can’t wait to see everyone on the open road and in the show ring!

01/17/2025

🐴 𝐅𝐎𝐀𝐋 𝐅𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐘🐴

8 tips to keeping your foal healthy

1️⃣ Foals should attempt to stand within 30 minutes after birth and begin to nurse within 2 hours after birth.

2️⃣ Colostrum (the first portion of milk) needs to be ingested as soon as possible after birth. Good quality colostrum is an important factor in the foal having adequate passive transfer of immunity. Within the first 8-12 hours is recommended or it is unlikely that adequate intestinal absorption will occur.

3️⃣ We recommend checking the IgG levels when the foal is 12-24 hours old and perform a CBC. Also running a plasma transfusion will help the foal get off to a great start.

4️⃣ The umbilical cord should be dipped in a dilute 1:4 chlorhexidine solution to help prevent infection.

5️⃣ The first foal f***s is called meconium and should be passed within 12 hours after birth. The consistency may be pasty or little f***l balls and can be dark brown in color.

6️⃣ Foals on average nurse 30 times per day and gain 2-3% of their body weight daily.

7️⃣ The foal should be active and able to keep up with the mare 24-48 hours after birth without struggling to breath.

8️⃣ Foals may begin life with weak legs and be down in their pasterns. If they don’t begin to correct on their own after a couple of days additional medical attention will be needed to assist in correction of the issue.

As always if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call or text the office (940-230-6611) and we will do our best to get your foal off to a great start.

📸

01/16/2025

🎈𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲 to our January Birthday’s

🎉Catherine, who’s Birthday was yesterday, is the master behind the scenes of handling and sending out all of the labs, one of the voices behind the phone when you call, welcoming face at the window, and more.

🥳Tara who’s Birthday is the 29th, keeps Dr. Dalton on track with appointments, schedules, paperwork, keeping the truck stocked, along with managing his patients and clients.

♥️ We appreciate you ladies so very much for everything you!

01/16/2025

Did you know 🤔

American Association of Equine Practitioners mid week myth buster. They explain why protien is an important factor in your horses nutritional needs.

Although protein is normally listed as a nutrient, horses actually have a requirement for amino acids, the building blocks of protein, rather than for protein itself.

Protein is the least efficient energy source for your horse, so high protein does not automatically equal high energy. Carbohydrates, fats, and fiber are more readily digestible energy sources, so chances are a horse with too much energy is being fed more calories than the animal truly needs.

As always, remember that all horses have different nutritional needs based on age, stage of development, metabolism and workload. Be sure to work with your veterinarian to determine the correct protein and energy requirements for your equine friend based on your horse’s individual situation!
•
Courtesy of the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

01/15/2025

Thank you Schuyler Signs!

01/14/2025

🐴 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜...𝐅𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧 🐴

Here are 8 tips to help you feel prepped and ready.

1️⃣ A minimum of 14x14 size stall is recommended. It should be sanitized and straw bedding is less likely to stick to the mare and foal like wood shavings do.
2️⃣ Signs that the mare is prepping for labor include, “waxing” of the udder, relaxation of the pelvic ligaments, restlessness, sweating, and raising of her tail.
3️⃣ Commercial test strips are avable that will detect a sudden increase in calcium that will indicate imminent foaling.
4️⃣ Labor occurs in 3 stages-
▪️Mare will position the foal with the initial uterine contractions, that can last 1-2 hours.
▪️Water breaks and strong uterine contractions begin. This stage should only last 20-40 minutes.
▪️After she has the foal the placenta needs to be passed within 3 hours. It needs to be checked to make sure none was retained.
5️⃣ If the mare retains her placenta for longer than 3 hours a vet needs to be contacted immediately. Mares can become toxic and get laminitis, which will require hospital care.
6️⃣ Check the mares udder for good milk production.
7️⃣ Very soon after birth the mare should start interacting with her foal by nickering and can become very protective of her foal.
8️⃣ Continue to monitor the mare for signs for infection, increased temperature, lethargic, not wanting to eat, and foul smelling vaginal discharge.

If you ever have any questions or concerns please reach out 940-230-6611. We wish everyone a quick and non eventful foaling season.

📸

12/29/2024

12/25/2024

🎅🏼𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐢𝐝-𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡🎅🏼

🤶🏼 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬
𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲: 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲
𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲: 𝐄𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲

☎️ Call 940-230-6611 if you need to get in contact with the vet who is on call.

🎄We hope everyone has a wonderful time with their friends and family over the holidays. We can’t wait to see what 2025 brings for our clinic, as well as you and your horses!