Lameness is any alteration of the horse's gait, but can also include a change in attitude or performance, due to pain in the neck, withers, shoulders, back, loin, hips, legs or feet. The basic examination starts by watching the horse walk, trot and canter in a straight line, toward and away from the veterinarian, followed by a flexion test whereby the animals leg is held in a flexed position for 30-60 seconds. The horse is then trotted off for its gait to be analyzed for abnormalities and unevenness. Lameness examinations are routine in most purchase examinations. When the veterinarian evaluates the animal being considered for purchase, learning about impending problems can assist potential owners in making a more informed decision.

Joint Injections:

When a horse has multiple sources of pain, identifying the exact location can be challenging. Once confirmed that a horse has a joint problem, injections may be recommended to prevent further damage and provide comfort and relief to the horse while attempting to pinpoint the exact location of the pain. Steroid and hyaluronic injections can decrease inflammation, lubricate the joint, and protect the cartilage for the long term, especially when treating arthritis. We currently offer injections to the following joints:

We provide many reproductive services for horses including the following:

• Ultrasound

Breeding Soundness Examination

Point in Cycle: Determining the time of ovulation

Confirm Pregnancy

Checking for Twins

• Artificial Insemination: fresh or chilled semen
• Uterine Culture/Infusions
• Caslick’s surgery (vulvoplasty)
• Foal care

Here at Southern Hills Veterinary Services, we can perform a variety of surgical procedures at the clinic or on the farm (pending farm location), including:

• Mass removals
• Castration/Gelding
• Laceration repairs
• Enucleations

Our veterinarians and staff are dedicated to giving your horse the best possible care and would be happy to answer any surgical questions you may have. Please give us a call today so we can talk with you about your horse’s health.

One of the most important aspects of your horse’s overall good health is good dental health. Horses teeth are different than humans and never stop growing. As the teeth wear and chew they can develop sharp points and cause discomfort. Your horse’s teeth and mouth should be examined at least once a year. This allows problems to be identified quickly and to keep your horse free of dental pain or discomfort.

• Teeth Floating: Dental “floating” means removing and/or repairing any irregularities that may have developed to make it easier for your horse to chew his food. Horses have teeth that are specially adapted to chew grass for long lengths of time. A horse’s teeth continue to erupt for most of its life; and therefore, the teeth need to be worn down to prevent them from overgrowing. The chewing action results in the upper and lower teeth grinding against each other and this action will wear down the teeth keeping the crown of the tooth (the bit above the gum line) at the correct height. If the horse does not chew for long enough, then the teeth may not be worn down enough. This will result in the edges of teeth becoming sharp and, in some cases, overgrowth of the crowns in sharp spikes called “hooks”.

• Quality of Life Consultations
• Humane Euthanasia on Farm

If your horse is sick, it is important to schedule an examination done by a veterinarian. A sick

visit will include a thorough medical examination and diagnostics that can include:

• Bloodwork
• Eye examinations
• Lameness examinations
• Colic Workups

Medical management including exams, palpation, nasogastric tubing, pain control, etc.

Currently, we refer surgical colic cases to an appropriate equine hospital

We recommend having yearly examinations on all horses. An annual medical evaluation will help maintain your horse’s optimal health and is critical in identifying health issues before they become major problems. We perform all equine annual wellness exams on-farm or at the clinic. A wellness examination includes a thorough look at your horse from nose to tail and auscultating heart rates and rhythm, lung fields, and gut sounds, checking digital pulses, temperatures, etc.

We provide custom vaccine protocols for your horse pending its lifestyle. There are certain diseases that horses should be vaccinated yearly for and are considered core vaccinations. The best time to vaccinate is in spring 3 weeks before mosquito season starts.

These diseases include:

• Rabies
• Eastern Encephalomyelitis
• Western Encephalomyelitis
• Rhinopneumonitis
• Influenza
• West Nile Virus
• Tetanus

Many of our equine patients also travel for showing purposes and should have a yearly Coggins performed. A Coggins test is a simple blood test for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), a retroviral infection that infects horses and can be deadly. It can be transmitted by certain fly species, sharing blood, or dirty needles. Symptoms may include fever, lethargy, petechial hemorrhages, dependent edema, yellow mucous membranes (jaundice), anemia, and death. Any time you get a new horse or introduce a new horse into your stable, you should test the horse to be sure it does not have the disease. Horses that travel frequently need to be tested regularly. Many shows and other places where horses travel recommend or require that all horses be tested to prevent the spread of this deadly disease.