01/30/2025
The mainstream media has recently highlighted the growing cost of veterinary care. In most instances they refer to small animal medicine and blame costs on corporate buyout. While corporate business practices probably do have an influence on cost increases, the reality is that the cost of EVERYTHING is increasing. The average price increase from drug manufacturers is 5-7% per year. Electricity, fuel, cost of soft goods such as bandage material and syringes, vehicle maintenance, equipment replacement, insurance, professional development, just to name a few, they all come at an increasing cost. Housing and cost of living drives salary requirements for veterinarians and support staff. In short, the cost of doing business and practicing a high level of care is on the rise.
Inherently, equine ambulatory practice is inefficient. We drive to each of our patients. The weather, the road conditions, traffic and the human factor can add minutes and sometimes hours to a day. A truck crew will likely have lunch in the truck, on the go, between appointments, perhaps stopping at a fuel station to fill the truck and use the facilities. Google maps is the best friend of an equine ambulatory crew and can save huge amounts of drive time by alerting the driver of upcoming issues. A daytime emergency is not at all uncommon and can change up a schedule entirely, sending an ambulatory crew an hour in the opposite direction at any given moment.
Being efficient is one way we save money. Seeing multiple clients in one area saves drive time and fuel. It requires careful scheduling. Knowing what we will be seeing each horse for and which equipment we will need, before we arrive helps us plan ahead and saves return trips, which in turn increases efficiency. Sometimes a "hey doc, while you're here....." fits in the schedule and sometimes, it doesn't!
So, how can we be the most efficient? You come to us! If your horse needs some general care, such as vaccines, health certificates or coggins, just hop them in the trailer and bring them to our office. This is also a fantastic way for a new client to establish a VCPR (veterinary-client-patient relationship). There is NO CALL CHARGE to haul to us. You just need to call the office and make an appointment. Haul in appointments are limited to 8-10am or 3-5 pm. Remember that efficiency piece? In the middle of the day we are on the road! Our office is located just off I70 and Kipling. Your horse will unload in our concrete parking lot with no fencing, so be sure you can handle your horse! There is ample space to pull in, unload, and loop your trailer out of the parking lot, no need to stress if your backing skills are lacking!
We do have haul-in options with minimal facility charges for more elaborate procedures such as dentals and joint injections. Ask your practitioner or call the office today for more information.
Haul in is a great option if you live up the canyons in the snowy, icy tundra, do not have a flat dry space for our doctors to work or do not have readily available power/light.
Haul- ins can save you money and can help our doctors work in a more efficient manner! It is a winning situation!
