Cascadia Veterinary Care, LLC

31/01/2025

As most of you know, I volunteer with a great organization called Equitarian Initiative. It is a non-profit group that provides care for working equids in remote regions of Central America, South America, Haiti, Dominican Republic, along with reservations in our own country. I was able to get involved with them through a very serendipitous course, but it stuck and I have been volunteering since 2014. The project that takes place in the Osa Pen*snsula of Costa Rica has been dear to my heart since 2016. It has come so far in how the communities view and value veterinary work for their horses. They have increased their average body condition score by roughly 2 points along with most owners asking for routine dental work yearly! This is huge!

The next step in all of this is getting involvement from local veterinarians. When we started this project there was one small animal vet for the whole region, now there is 3 to 4 at any one time and two are quite interested in continuing to work with horses and increase their knowledge base. Again, this is huge!

Dental care is one of the most important forms of health care for any working equid, preventing disease, malnutrition, and lifelong discomfort. So here is the ask…. I am raising funds to purchase two dental floats for our veterinary partners down on the Osa Pennisula. This is a big step in promoting local independence, sustainability, and access to veterinary care in the region. As I start the next lap around the sun, I am realizing how much community and the ability to extend generosity within the profession I love is one of the greatest gifts of all.

If you are at all inclined, please visit www.equitarianinitiative.org/donate to make a contribution (no matter how small!). In the notes area please put “Costa Rica Dentist” so we can be sure funds are devoted to the right place. You can also send a check to:
Equitarian Initiative
P.O. Box 773481
Steamboat Springs, CO
80477

Every little bit helps get us to the goal of $3,750.00.

Thank you for reading all of this and always supporting my journey with this remarkable group.

23/01/2025

‘Hay there!’ A few tips when choosing hay for your horse! If you question the quality of the hay you have it is always better to be safe than sorry- don’t be afraid to ask questions!

As the source of 50 to 90% of a healthy horse's nutritional needs, hay warrants careful consideration as a precious commodity. This becomes especially true during the winter, when roughage in the diet is the main source of heat for the horse.

Generally, horses at rest in ambient temperatures of 70°F consume 2% of their body weight in roughage (hay) per day. A 1,100-pound horse will eat approximately 22 pounds of hay per day. A horse with a moderate hair coat starts requiring additional calories for body temperature regulation at approximately 50°F. Add about 2 pounds more hay for every 10-degree temperature drop. With wind and rain at near-freezing temperatures, the feed required increases by approximately 10-15 pounds to 32-47 pounds of hay per day!

If you're purchasing hay for your horse this winter, remember that there’s no such thing as “the best hay” when it comes to the nutrient value. That all depends on your horse’s protein and energy requirements, which are ultimately determined the individual's age, stage of development, metabolism and workload. If you think your horse is too fat or too thin (or even if you are unsure), discuss the appropriate feeding recommendations with your veterinarian; they can help you formulate a balanced and cost-effective diet that meets your individual horse's dietary requirements.

Finally, always keep in mind that water is critical for digestion, so be sure to monitor your horse’s water intake to minimize the chance of intestinal impactions!

10/01/2025

Well, I am headed off for a week to see ticks, wounds, newly created geldings, and help more than a few horses to chew better! I will be back in the office on January 20th and will do my best to catch up with everyone as quickly as I can.

The organization I volunteer with is called Equitarian Initiative. I attached a link to their donation page if you are so inclined. Every dollar goes directly to running and financing these programs. It is a fantastic organization.

I will try and post some updates as the WiFi presents itself 🙂

Donate to Equitarian Initiative, a non-profit corporation established by equine veterinarians to improve working equid health by volunteer veterinarians.

04/01/2025

Hey Guys!

Just a heads up, I will be going back to Costa Rica with the Equitarian Initiative January 11-19th. Please check if you have any prescriptions that will need filling during that time, or other questions that need addressed prior to my absence. I will hopefully have some spotty WiFi that will let me check my email while I’m gone.

Thank you all for always being so supportive of this cause!

30/12/2024

Happy New Year!! We will be closed December 31- January 1. Can’t wait to see you all in the new year!!!

23/12/2024

Have a wonderful Christmas! Hope you all get to spend time with those you love!

13/12/2024

Today is National Day of the Horse. These remarkable creatures deserve our appreciation and recognition. What an impact they have on our lives. Please share pictures of yours- current or past! ❤️

12/12/2024

Good morning- We are having phone issues and therefore email may be the best way to contact us today. Will get back to you as quickly as we are able!! So sorry!

03/12/2024

❤️ As it is Giving Tuesday: if you are looking for a phenomenal organization that is close to our hearts, consider donating to the Equitarian Initiative ❤️

An open love letter to our community:

Words can never fully express the depth of our gratitude. You are so much more than a supporter—you are the reason we exist. You give not only your resources, but your time, passion, and privilege—because you understand that at the root of the human experience, working animals are an essential part of our shared journey. More than companions or tools, they are the bridges between us and the progress we strive for. From carrying ribbons to carrying clean water, these animals unite us in ways that transcend borders, cultures, and language. They carry the weight of our burdens, share in our work, and elevate our collective spirit.

Through their service we are reminded that true progress is not just technological or economic—it is ethical, compassionate, and interconnected.

As we enter this season of giving, we celebrate YOU, our Equitarian Community. Thank you for teaching us to give without expectation, and to love without borders.

www.EquitarianInitiative.org/donate

27/11/2024

There so very thankful for all our clients! Have a fabulous day!

18/11/2024

It’s that time of year! Do you need to make any accommodations for your horse?

Did you know that a horse with a moderate hair coat starts requiring additional calories for body temperature regulation when the outside temperature drops to approximately 50°F?

As the temperatures start to drop, especially overnight, it's important to remember that cold weather prompts special considerations for your horse's diet and care. This is particularly important when it comes to the older members of the herd; consult your primary horse doctor to formulate a plan to keep your horses happy and healthy this fall and winter!

02/11/2024

Please be a bit patient with me this coming week. I lost Forrest the end of last week and will be taking a bit of time off and away from the clinic to let myself grieve. Feel free to call, text, email as normal but the response time might be a bit slower.

Thank you to everyone who has reached out. It means so much. ❤️

31/10/2024

As silly as it sounds, the "carrot test" can be used to help diagnose tooth aches in our equine companions.

Equine odontoclastic tooth resorption and hypercementosis (EORTH) is a dental condition that affects the incisors of middle-aged horses and older. As the name suggests, it acts by both resorbing the teeth and then producing large amounts of cementum (a hard substance that anchors the teeth into place).

Clinical signs such as difficulty chewing, teeth discoloration and painful gums are highly suspicious for this disease, but you can also offer your horse a carrot to assess how comfortable they are biting down. If it seems painful for them while biting the carrot, they could have EORTH!

Your veterinarian can do an oral examination and take dental radiographs to confirm the diagnosis. This is a progressive disease so there is no cure, but there are management strategies that can improve their comfort.

If you are concerned that your horse may have EORTH or is experiencing oral pain, contact your veterinarian so that they may further evaluate and suggest treatment options.

Thank you to the Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

23/10/2024

Hope you all had a “berry” good day! 😉

14/10/2024

Heads up! Dr. Torhorst will be out of the office from October 19th to the 27th! If you need a refill on a prescription or another concern you would like addressed please let us know before she is unavailable. Hope you all have a wonderful week!

10/10/2024

No one needs narcoleptic ponies! :) Environment can play a big part in how well your horse sleeps. Try to give them ample space and comfort if you can!

03/10/2024

Devastating for all involved. If you are looking for ways to contribute, consider the AAEP’s The Foundation for the Horse

We are devastated to see the disastrous effects of Hurricane Helene that have impacted thousands of people and equines far and wide. Please join The Foundation for the Horse, the AAEP's charitable arm, in aiding the victims of the hurricane with a donation to help those affected.

The Foundation for the Horse works directly with equine veterinarians on the ground to make sure supplies, hay, feed and veterinary care are provided to animals in need.

Pictured is an example of the devasting effects the residents of Hendersonville, NC have suffered during Hurricane Helene.

If you would like to join us in aiding those affected, donate at: https://membership.aaep.org/FFTH/Shared_Content/Donation-Pages/Give-Now.aspx?ItemId=DISASTER_RELIEF&SourceCode=GiveNow&fbclid=IwY2xjawFnmcNleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHaHxoC1eLyh3A4yhmAjxmWHPmr_MlVVwcEAQlS7eG9dEchYSrXaPsyTwdQ_aem_XLRekJJPklcJ9rVpFvH-Tg

24/09/2024

They can look harmless - but looks can be deceiving. Puncture wounds are something to be careful with and are worth a phone call!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/J6GLm97jmaeYZhz8/