I'm a horse vet- ask me anything.

[stripeyronnie]

I'm a vet and exclusively deal with horses (and the odd donkey)- ask me anything!

Never said thanks! We’re fairly rural so hopefully lots of options. He’s keen on large animal because he’s not sure he could take all the crying over peoples pets, as if somehow horse owners are more stoic.

He may be disappointed on the stoicism point though I've always managed to hold it together until they hit the ground.

I do wish the working conditions would improve and the salary etc as the right people need to be attracted! I've had horses for years and moved about 3 years ago and I've struggled to find a great vet that gives me confidence in my new area. I like plain speaking, facts etc not the sitting on the hedge you get when someone lacks experience.

I've always counted myself lucky but the last few years we've had to had a wobbler pts at Newmarket, a 5 year old with Asthma and management issues pts and a mare with a granulosa tumor on her ovary operated on. I totally agree about the 80% of equines being overweight and my wake up call was when a trusted vet thought it might be worthwhile to inject the hocks of an older horse of mine. but we were concerned about laminitis. So I have really gotten his weight down and he's on a boswelia supplement and he's getting much better scores (dressage) and engagement and no toe drag. It's most likely nothing to do with the supplement but I did a bit of research it's not expensive and nothing to lose. He's never felt better and I'm so glad we didn't start down the injecting route, yet.

I totally agree about the surgery, (colic in particular) I've always made it clear I won't do that personally. Box rest too is something that I would need to have a long think about as I think quality of life is absolute top priority and horses aren't really designed to be sick for long.

I think the hardest thing about your job is the owners. Whether it's lack of funds, knowledge, neurotic (I say that in the kindest way), total lack of understanding you don't have a crystal ball etc. But when you find a great vet the relief when you've got an emergency and they turn up is massive.

Sorry, I meant I imagine the hardest thing about your job**

I love Boswellia- I have had old stiff horses move better than they have done in years when they start it- it's now my go to before long term bute.
You've had a hard run with lots of serious things at young ages. The clients are definitely the hardest bit- now I'm a boss I just sack them if they are unpleasant or consistently difficult- the job is hard enough without having to put up with that. My sacking letter says 'a vet client relationship relies on mutual respect and trust, sadly this has broken down in this case'
I agree it's hard to find good vets now- too many of them have gone to do small animal where they get paid more for fewer hours and never get kicked in the face!

Fabulous thread, thank OP, we're really lucky!

Can I please ask, how many foot abscesses are too many in one life time? One of mine is very susceptible, at least one a year. We've chosen lately on vet's advice, to go barefoot for other reasons, and having another spate during transition phase. I'm sure is to be expected, but I do worry.

How do you cope with the sadness from owners when a horse needs to be euthanised?

Sadly Iost my 26yo a couple of months ago, I'd known that day was coming because he was getting stiffer, especially on hard ground, but he then went down with laminitis, and it ended up being an emergency call out.

I was heartbroken, but the vet was so compassionate and kind. He talked me through the treatment options - which weren't really viable and I felt would really affect quality of life and that I'd be doing it for me, not in his best interests. And I just 'knew' he'd had enough when he looked at me, he had no fight left. "Better a week too soon, than a day too late" and he said as much.

It was peaceful and dignified and the vet was so kind to him, stroking him all through, and so kind to me. You could tell he loved horses and wanted to make it as easy as possible. He took his head collar off and covered him up with rugs, offered to take some tail for me and even contacted the crematorium the next morning.

I think about that vet often, he made it so easy on me. I know it's part of the job, but it must be hard on the vet sometimes too. I hope he knows how much I appreciated how he treated me and my horse that night.

Some horses are just prone, you need to improve hoof quality and hardness as much as possible, if you live in a wet area that doesn't help either. All I have seen is foot abscesses in the last couple of weeks- so much rain! Going barefoot might make a difference- it's definitely worth trying!

I see this as one of the most important parts of my job. It's the thing people remember. I just try to treat the horse with kindness- I'm not really a people hugger but I do put a hand on their shoulder if they are upset. A dignified ending is so important. I did one a couple of weeks ago and I was so sad about it- but it was peaceful and perfect and as the horse lay there in the sun, no longer suffering I felt like it was a privilege to be able to take the pain away.

We got a pony in February who has recently been treated for ulcers, fortunately all cleared up now. The vet nurse said they've had to add on an extra gastroscope clinic to cope with demand. Do you think this is because ulcers are increasingly prevalent, or because people are scoping more and then finding ulcers?

Our pony had no obvious symptoms apart from looking a bit on the lean side. I've no way of knowing whether she'd had ulcers for a while or got them very recently.

Do you have any experience with SI pain in performance horses?
My boy has just had his injected today with some changes to the SI showing on the ultrasound. He went from jumping 1.15m and looking to move up to intermediate eventing to not being able to get over a pole in the ground without having a meltdown. Is there any hope of getting him back to how he was before and progressing up the levels?
He's been through the mill recently with KS surgery last November (1 snip and 1 shave) and I had his hocks injected at the start of July. I just want him to be happy and comfortable again but it seems I have opened a Pandora's box of issues since having the surgery.

I definitely think it's a case of we are looking now so we are finding them- even 15years ago gastroscopy was a referral procedure- now every equine vet has a gastroscope. However there are some management issues that I have eluded too further up that I think are resulting in an increase in cases too. I see them in all sorts, young ponies, oldies, not just performance horses. I do wonder how long insurance companies will continue to cover the costs though- it is so expensive.

I tend to find horses with SI pain struggle with canter transitions and start knocking poles. Medication is one thing but a physio needs to be closely involved in rehabilitation- lots of long and low work, over raised poles and with a Pessoa to rebuild core strength.

Can I ask why vets continue to recommend use of the Pessoa? Most owners don't know how to fit them correctly and in a lot of cases they are just forcing the head into a false position without the horse truly working from behind. Hillwork in walk is more beneficial yet I continually hear of vets recommending use of a pessoa?
Shouldn't we be trying to move away from the use of gadgets wherever possible?

Please could I ask how Boswelia compares with Devils Claw Root ?

Great thread, thank you OP

As a vet, what kind of horse (breed, age, sex, history) would be top of your list for someone looking for a horse with a kind chilled temperament, likely to have minimal health problems, for hacking, fun rides etc.

I returned to riding last year and have ridden forward-going and kick along cobs, older thoroughbreds (a bit grumpy on the ground), a speedy Arab, Welsh D, ISH, Freisian and tbh am still none the wiser …. I’m small and light and the 17hh do feel a bit too big.

Narrowing it down a bit before I search in earnest would be great and I’d love your take on likely breeds (with the obvious caveat that they are all individuals).

I guess it depends on the client- a warm blood in a big professional yard is likely to get benefit out of a Pessoa if they are used to fitting one correctly and there may not be any hills to walk on. But there are many ways to achieve the same thing- I like a physio to oversee these things- I tend to make recommendations about what I want to achieve and then leave them to it to oversee with the client!

Something Irish! Not a ISH (because they're mostly WB now not the old fashioned TB ID cross!)