Red Rock Equine

19/11/2023

Red Rock Equine clients and friends,

After some soul searching, I have made the difficult decision to close Red Rock Equine’s doors at the end of the month. As of December 1, 2023 I will no longer be practicing equine medicine. I am kindly requesting that you ask for any documents (medical write ups, radiographs, bloodwork results, Coggins, etc) by the end of the year, specifically by December 29, 2023. For those of you with ongoing cases, please know that I will help facilitate the transition between myself and the equine vet of your choice.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you all and your equine family members. Please know I did not make this decision lightly, and will miss each and every one of you and your horses.

Thank you for your kindness and understanding,

Dr Allison Blasko

30/10/2023

Who else can relate?

17/08/2023

It’s difficult for us horse doctors to admit we aren’t superhuman. We’re hardwired to be there for you and your horse whenever you need us. But we’re finally in the midst of an overdue reality check as a profession and admitting that our desire to be available 24/7 isn’t compatible with our own personal health and happiness.

The most significant pain point for many of us is caring for our clients during regular business hours and then being on call for emergencies after hours. If we are a single-doctor or small practice, this traditionally has been the case most nights of the week.

The good news is that the AAEP along with private veterinary practices and veterinary schools are focused on developing new models for emergency care which ease the strain on individual practitioners. This includes the growth of emergency cooperatives where two or more practices in a geographic area work together to share after-hours care, as well as more emergency-only practices and the use of tele-triage services to address client concerns after normal business hours.

As equine veterinarians reevaluate what after-hours care looks like for their practices, we know that the support of our clients is critical to creating a balance that works for both of us. If your horse doctor talks with you about changes in how after-hours care is delivered, we hope you’ll welcome the adjustments, knowing that this evolution of emergency care must take place in order for equine veterinarians to avoid burnout and continue to be available to treat all of our patients. We appreciate our partnership with you, and your horse does too!

17/08/2023

I’m proud to call Dr Rachel Liepman a dear friend of mine, as well as someone who I can call up with a complicated case. She gives me ideas and pushes me to think outside the box, and I am forever grateful for her knowledge and passion for equine internal medicine. If you hear me say “I’m going to place a phone call to someone smarter than me” it’s usually to Dr Liepman!

16/07/2023

Horses travel every day for a number of reasons—to be bought and sold, for competition, for breeding purposes, etc. Whatever the reason, horse owners should be aware of the complications that may occur due to transportation, including traumatic injuries, diarrhea, muscular problems, respiratory problems, overheating, colic, and even laminitis (in the case of overweight horses).

Following are a few tips to help your equine friend maintain good health and welfare during transport. This list is by no means complete and we encourage you to reach out to your veterinarian for additional advice when it comes to traveling with your horse!

• Be aware that inadequate management of feed and water intake during travel could cause colic, gastric ulceration and heat stress. Food and water should be provided prior to transport, during regular rest breaks and upon arrival at destination.

• Ensure your horse’s immunizations are up to date against respiratory pathogens to protect your animal from these diseases.

• The horse should be rested before the journey, given rest stops during travel, and have time to recover on arrival at the destination.

• The vehicle should be well-ventilated to help prevent respiratory problems or overheating.

• Drive slowly and carefully (NO TEXTING, avoid driving when fatigued or eating while driving, etc.) to provide a comfortable journey for the animal and reduce the risk of injury and fatigue.

Happy trails!

06/07/2023

"HOT" TIPS FOR SAFE SUMMER RIDING

As you enjoy some fun in the sun with your favorite equine, make sure you understand how the combination of heat and humidity can take the fun part out the equation — and potentially even turn into a dangerous situation for your horse.

When riding in hot weather, remember to take precautions and use your common sense. Remain vigilant for dehydration and for signs of heat exhaustion, as the situation can quickly escalate into heat stroke. If your horse looks hot and tired, it's time for a drink, a cold bath and a break in the shade.

Consult your veterinarian for more information, or learn more about the signs of heat stroke on our website at https://aaep.org/issue/heat-stroke
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01/07/2023

Dr Blasko is available Tuesday for all emergencies/firework related issues! 970-646-8809.

With the Fourth of July festivities just around the corner, now is a good time to make preparations to keep your horses, farm animals and pets safe during any fireworks that will be happening in your area.

The graphic below lists some tips to get you started. If your horses are staying out overnight, be sure to check your fencing ahead of time and neutralize any hazards like rocks, branches or holes that could lead to injury if the animals start bolting. If you are concerned your animals may get loose, make sure your contact information is on a tag on the halter (provided i’is a breakaway one) or braided in their mane.
Some horses require sedation to help them get through. If you are really worried about your horse's safety, consult your veterinarian about calming agents.

This is also a good time to update and review your fire response program at your barn. Make sure you have the number for the fire department, everyone knows the address of the barn, plenty of fire extinguishers are available, and any fire hazards are removed from the barn.

No matter what your Independence Day plans are, above all please remember to practice safety and be considerate of the people and the animals living around you so EVERYONE may have an enjoyable celebration.

Happy 4th! 🇺🇸
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Brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee

18/06/2023

Great explanation of how to take a “TPR” if Dr B ever asks for one!

Following is some great practical information courtesy of the horse doctors at Orange County Equine Veterinary Services:

Knowing how to correctly get vitals (aka T.P.R.) on a horse can be extremely helpful in urgent situations.

🌡️Temperature 🌡️
Normal: 99.0-101.5F
How to: You can use a regular digital thermometer from the drug store! Taking a temperature rectally is the most accurate measure in the horse.

♥️ Pulse ♥️
Normal: 28-40 beats per minute (easier to just remember in the 30s!)
How to: Stethoscopes can be purchased online inexpensively. Place stethoscope in the space behind the elbow, in the “V”, or where the girth would sit (where Dr. Hunter is listening in this photo) on the left side. You will hear ONE beat as TWO sounds “lub-dub”.
So… “lub-dub”-1- “lub-dub”-2 - “lub-dub”-3-… and so on… We usually listen for 15 seconds and multiply by 4 to get beats per one minute.

💨 Respiration 💨
Normal: 12-16 breaths per minute
How to: Watch their flank rise and fall. Sometimes they may be taking shallow breaths, so resting your hand on their side can help to feel the movement as well!

09/06/2023

Smoke from more than 400 wildfires in eastern Canada has carried into the Northeastern United States, causing poor air quality and rising concerns among horse owners.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ranks air pollution and air quality on a scale of 0 to 500. Though the ranking system is geared toward people, the classifications also apply to horses. Particulate levels begin to pose dangers to horse health when they exceed 150, especially to horses with pre-existing health concerns. At this level owners should limit riding and exercise until the smoke clears and air quality improves. An AQI value above 300 is considered hazardous.

The negative effects of smoke inhalation are not always immediately apparent, and will be variable from horse to horse and the degree and type of smoke exposure. We encourage horse owners in affected areas to be diligent in monitoring the local air quality and to take extra caution with horses at higher risk of respiratory distress. Be sure to contact your veterinarian to evaluate horses showing any signs of respiratory inflammation (like coughing, respiratory distress, nasal discharge, fever).

To read more about how air quality can affect your horse’s respiratory health, please read this article courtesy of AAEP Educational Partner The Horse: https://thehorse.com/1110445/how-air-quality-impacts-horse-health/

05/06/2023

Dr Blasko really enjoys neuro exams; she has one scheduled this week! Depending on her findings, we can begin therapies OR referral is recommended. Other diagnostics (such as a CSF tap) can be performed safely at a hospital setting vs in the field. If you’re concerned with any neuro deficits or weakness in your horse, give her a ring!

27/05/2023

Has your horse had colic surgery recently?

In order to perform colic surgery, a large incision is made through a fibrous structure called the linea alba, which separates the left and right abdominal muscles. Similarly to humans that undergo a c-section, this causes a severe compromise of the core muscles. In horses, there is often a significant period of time off following colic surgery due to the risk of herniation and evisceration, because unlike humans, the weight of the entire contents of their abdominal cavity sits on the incision. This time off allow the incision to heal but does not help get their core muscles/top line back in action, which also slows down their ability to go back into work quickly because they need to build back the muscle that they’ve lost.

Rehabilitation and especially the water treadmill, is a safe and very effective way to slowly increase both stamina, as well as the core and hind end musculature. The rehabilitation can be started performed following suture removal post colic surgery, which allows for a much faster recovery and return to what you and your horse enjoy doing most!

For more information on our lay-up & rehabilitation boarding options contact us via call/text at (970) 368-3125, or email us at [email protected]

18/05/2023

As of June 11, 2023 all medically important antibiotics approved for use in animals (both companion and food-producing) will only be available from a veterinarian or with a prescription. The intent of this legislation is to ensure that these drugs are used under veterinary supervision (appropriate uses, dosages, and duration of treatment) to reduce the chance for development of antimicrobial resistance to these drugs in **both animals and humans.**

To obtain these drugs, you will need a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR) with a licensed veterinarian. In most states, this means that a veterinarian has examined your animal or herd within the past year.

Drug access is just one of MANY reasons to have a valid VCPR. Having a proactive relationship with your veterinarian may reduce the overall need for emergency visits and increase the veterinarian’s ability to treat and prescribe medications for your animal over the phone if/when an in-person visit isn't possible.

We encourage you to establish a good relationship with a veterinarian now, before an emergency occurs or before you need access to drugs that are no longer available over the counter.

10/05/2023

Mental health is so incredibly important, and sometimes difficult to express and talk about. Horses are always there for us with no judgement, a sweet nicker, and a “huff“.

Side note, don’t hesitate to reach out to Dr B if you need help. She’s a safe space, a good hugger, and a great listener.

Horses are good for the soul.

30/04/2023

Zoetis Equine stands behind veterinarians in their practice by supporting them through Decade One — where equine practitioners learn to thrive.

Learn more about Decade One Vet: https://equimanagement.com/news/zoetis-donates-to-decade-one-to-promote-the-retention-of-equine-veterinarians/

30/04/2023

Did you know that many equine veterinarians volunteer their time to support the incredible horses competing at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event? Zoetis is proud to support them behind the scenes by sponsoring their Vet Lounge, and we’re grateful to our partners at Veterinary Management Groups for sponsoring the catering to keep these hard workers well-fed!

Pictured below is Dr. Catherine Kohn who helps organize the volunteer veterinarians throughout the event. To learn more, visit veterinarystudygroups.com

27/04/2023

Newest addition to the Blasko household. Welcome Juno! Keep your eye out for puppy farm call visits, snuggles, and puppy breath!

24/04/2023

Quick heads up! Dr B will *again* be out of town, but this is a fast turnaround! She will be unavailable this Tuesday 4/25 through Wednesday 4/26, and be back to seeing appointments Thursday 4/27. If you need emergency or urgent care, please contact one of the following:

1) Dr Sarah Appleby at Comfort Equine, 720-441-4513

2) Littleton Equine Medical Center, 303-794-6359

3) Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, 970-297-5000

For non-emergent issues and scheduling requests, you can call or text 970-646-8809 or email Dr B at [email protected].

Stay tuned for pictures of a new farm call supervisor 💜🐶

23/04/2023

May is Mental Health Awareness month. Also going on at that time is the Seen Through Horses campaign. Please check it out and if you feel so inclined, support a non-profit involving horses. This is so important, as we all know how horses help us get through tough times.

Join the Seen Through Horses Campaign, Oct. 3-10, 2022, and together we can make a much-needed difference for mental health globally.

19/04/2023

Horses can go lame for a variety of reasons. Learn about 4 common causes of lameness and their treatment options in this visual guide.

08/04/2023

Just to let everyone know, Dr Blasko will be out of town Monday 4/10-Tuesday 4/18. She will be back and available Wednesday 4/19. If you need emergency or urgent care, please contact:

1) Littleton Equine Medical Center, 303-794-6359
2) Colorado State University, 970-297-5000

For all other non urgent needs (i.e. scheduling, follow-ups), you can still reach out via 970-646-8809 (call or text), email at [email protected], or through Facebook messenger!

Dr B is excited to go home for a visit (Pacific Northwest) with her little traveling companion, Ellie Ray 💜 who often accompanies her on farm calls!

23/03/2023

With spring only a few weeks away (🙌), it’s not too early to start thinking about a deworming plan for your horses.

If deworming is something you’ve been doing the same way for as long as you can remember, this year we encourage you to break tradition and work with your veterinarian instead. Thanks to tools like the f***l egg count, your horse doctor can help you devise a treatment tailored to the needs of your equine friend plus monitor the efficacy of the dewormer used last. And before you dismiss this notion because you’ve been “doing it for years,” you should know that the old-school approach to deworming is quickly becoming outdated—not only a waste of money but it also builds drug resistance in the parasitic fauna of equines, which means we are running out of drugs that can effectively help us control parasite infections.

For more information, the AAEP Parasite Control Guidelines can be found on our website at https://aaep.org/document/internal-parasite-control-guidelines
As always, consult your equine veterinarian to learn more and for questions specific to your horses!

17/03/2023

Happy St. Patrick's Day 🍀🐴 🌈 Four-leaf clovers, horseshoes and horses. All three are lucky charms that bring good fortune to our lives.

13/03/2023

Dr B is officially Fear Free certified for your equine family member!

04/03/2023

I tell this to myself daily when I ride and work with Shaggy, as well as with my patients. I am excited that becoming Fear Free will hopefully alleviate any sort of miscommunication with and apprehension from your equine companion. Horses are constantly learning, and have a CER (conditioned emotional response) to certain stimuli. This is involuntary and reflexive, so we want a POSITIVE one! Through counter conditioning and desensitization, we can ensure that your equine family member associates vet visits, diagnostic procedures and treatments with positivity. This decreases their FAS (fear anxiety and stress) score and makes for a happy vet team, owner, and most importantly, HORSE.

03/03/2023

Working on becoming a Fear Free practice for your equine companion. Fear Free = good horsemanship and a better experience for you, your vet, and most importantly your horse. Seven modules left! Stay tuned 🦄💜

14/02/2023

Shaggy is getting ridden for an extra long time today because he is WILD! If you feel like your friend needs a chiropractic adjustment, call Front Range Equine Performance at 970-368-3125! If you’re not the “homemade cookie making type“ (i.e. me), check out your local tack and feed stores. I went to Front Range Feed and got Shags some Dimples horse cookies! And, with all this mud…I think all grooming sessions are extra long :)

We've put together a list of four things that you can do to show your horse some extra love today. Leave a comment and let us know how you plan to pamper your pal. 💘💌​

13/02/2023

https://thehorse.com/184971/open-up-and-say-zzz-why-horse-dental-exams-require-sedation/

And sedation is FREE the month of February! Please call 970-646-8809 or email [email protected] to schedule your equine friend’s annual dental health exam. We have spots open the rest of February!

Your veterinarian needs a good look into your horse’s deep, dark mouth to perform a proper dental exam. The answer? Proper sedation.

10/02/2023

10/02/2023

Experts share eight tips to increase your thin horse's weight and muscle mass.