Clinical Services

Buying a horse is a major decision. My job as a veterinarian is to provide you with information about the horse’s health and soundness to help you with your decision. A pre-purchase exam starts with a comprehensive physical, soundness, and neurologic exam. The buyer may elect to perform bloodwork to check organ function and/or test for medications. Radiographs are often a part of the pre-purchase, and may include just a few specific areas or a larger survey of common problem areas. We also offer consultation with a board-certified radiologist. Additional services, such as ultrasound and additional bloodwork, are available.

A Pre-Lease exam is done prior to signing the lease contract to document the current health and soundness of the horse, and to evaluate for any potential problems (such as old injuries)that may come up during the lease period. It typically involves a comprehensive physical and soundness exam, and may also include a neurologic exam, radiographs, bloodwork, and ultrasound.

A soundness exam is a thorough evaluation of the horse to identify lameness or causes for poor performance. Depending on the presenting complaint, the horse may be examined at the walk, trot, and canter, in a straight line or on a lunge, and under saddle. If a lameness is identified, diagnostic nerve blocks may be performed to help identify the source of lameness. After the lameness is localized to a particular area, diagnostics such as x-ray and ultrasound are performed to arrive at a diagnosis and direct treatment.

Radiography (X-Ray) is used primarily to evaluate bones and boney changes, such as arthritis. Our state-of-the-art digital radiography unit is portable and is used on-site to take x-rays. Images are available for immediate interpretation to help direct treatment. Since the images are digital and stored in the cloud, they can easily be emailed to a radiologist, vet hospital, owner, potential buyer, or anywhere else they need to go.

Ultrasound is used to look at soft tissue structures such as tendons and ligaments. It can also be used for ultrasound-guided injections, to look at the surface of bone, or for evaluation of other soft tissue structures. The images obtained are digital and stored in our cloud-based system, which means they can easily be emailed.

Wellness exams are a great way to check up on your horse and identify minor issues before they become bigger ones. These exams typically involve a tailored physical and soundness exam, looking at common problem areas. I recommend wellness exams about a month prior to the show season, and midway through the season, and based on the exam findings we formulate a plan for treatment, exercise, nutrition, etc.