Epona Equine Veterinary Care, LLC

19/08/2025

Props to the "just a trail horse." Not only are they expected to have an extremely sound mind, but they are also expected to do a tough job physically! Trail horses are working in uneven terrain all the time! Also, they are frequently carrying a rider up and down hills. That is hard work!

"I just want a trail horse."
This is the request we most hear.

Ask for just a trail horse, and you'll be shown the most broke horse on the place. The trail horse has to perform in the hardest setting imaginable: the real world.

They might not run down the arena and slide 25 feet, spin a hole in the ground, or do flying lead changes.
They might not get down in the sand to cut a cow in front of them.
They might not explode out of the box at full speed to catch a steer.
They might not jump a full course clean in front of hundreds of spectators.

But...a trail horse will walk off after 2 hours in the trailer in a completely new place. A trail horse is expected to stay broke with time off and only go trail ride when you have time. A trail horse will walk down the trail, through the brush, over a bridge it hasn't seen before. A trail horse will ride past bikers, runners, dogs, and every other thing under the sun. All without batting an eye.

The trail horse takes hours of time to train. Trail horses are expected to walk down the trail calm and relaxed no matter the situation, whether it be in the back country or through a busy city. One of the hardest things to teach both kids and horses is to slow down. It's easy to go fast, and any horse can run. But to stay calm and controlled, to walk, takes skill.

Appreciate the trail horses for what they are, just the best.

12/08/2025

That smile! This is how it starts! 🐴😍🥰

09/08/2025

It is HOT! Consider this your friendly reminder to check underneath your horses fly sheets. Just yesterday, I found a patient with rain rot underneath a fly sheet. In this heat, it is important to weigh the benefit of a fly sheet versus temperature control. If you use a fly sheet, make sure to remove it regularly and groom your horse. Sweat can build up underneath and lead to skin infections. Sometimes mosquito sheets allow more breathability. Fly boots are also very helpful but they can also hide injuries and skin infections. Removing those regularly to check the legs is also very important. Stay cool everyone!

08/08/2025

Neuro disease can frequently hide as a chiropractic problem, which means I see a lot of these cases. Watch this video with a great explanation of what a neuro exam entails. Pay special attention to the part with the cutaneous trunci along the back. This can sometimes be mistaken for back pain, but it simply means your horse can feel! Wondering if your horse has back pain? Or a neuro problem? I'm happy to examine your horse!

04/08/2025

Looking forward to seeing you! Haul in appointments available!

04/08/2025

When you’re trying to convince a pre-veterinary student to become a horse doctor and your patient understands the assignment! 🤣 Blue Chip turned the schmoozing up to 10 for Alex!

21/07/2025

I have another long overdue introduction! Please welcome Ella to my team. Many of you have already met Ella on some farm calls both in southeastern Wisconsin and central Wisconsin. I am thrilled to announce that she will be helping me with my Northwood trips, allowing me to help so many more horses each time I make the trip up!

18/07/2025

Northwoods appointments available afternoon of Thurs 7-24 or morning of Fri 7-25. Call or text to schedule 414-379-2464

09/07/2025

Looking forward to seeing you! Haul-in appointments available too!

24/06/2025

This is great advice, and I appreciate all you do to make your appointment go smoothly! A clean, safe, well-lit area with good footing that is out of traffic flow is so valuable. Also, because I touch your horse all over during VSMT and acupuncture appointments, a clean patient is also appreciated!

09/06/2025

Seeing the surfaces of the teeth is a lot easier if your horse hasn't just eaten a treat. Peppermints do this as well. I have seen some comical pink drool with pink goo covering the surfaces. It did make me laugh, but I still had to rinse, and rinse, and rinse it away.

17/05/2025

This is why you shouldn’t turn a horse out with a halter! Many of you already know that I am adamant that halters should never be left on horses and the throat latch should always be clipped when you are leading a horse. Not clipping the throat latch means it can swing up and hit the right eye. It only takes one quick head toss to send the buckle flying! I have seen a horse lose an eye from this! If you leave a halter on in the paddock your horse can also get their hind leg caught in the halter when their head is down to graze or they scratch their face. They typically panic and tear their hamstring muscles- possibly resulting in a permanent lameness called fibrotic myopathy. Photo credit to Dr Mitchell Rode. Included is the picture of the tool he needed to free the horse from this situation (a tin snips.) Please, please, please take halters off!