Choosing an Equine Vet

Finding a GOOD Verterinarian

It's easy to find a veterinarian who treats horses, donkeys, ponies, and other equines. All you have to do is look at an online directory (eg. Find a Vet), or by asking your equine-owning friends. If boarding, the barn owner may use a certain veterinarian, but you as the owner can choose a vet you want to treat your horse. 

The challenge is finding a good veterinarian to whom you can entrust your four legged friend. Set up an appointment with a veterinarian to discuss what you are looking for in a doctor. You'll want a vet who is patient with your questions and talks to you in terms appropriate to your level of experience. Don't ever be nervous about asking questions. If the veterinarian appears impatient, you may consider choosing one who has more time to help you with basics. You can make a good choice by using the following points as a guideline.

1. Discuss the extent of the veterinarian's experience with the type of equine you own.
2. Ask the veterinarian if she is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) or another professional association. The Association recommends veterinarians who hold professional memberships and shows those that are involved in their field and interested in keeping up with the latest advances.
3. Check to see if the veterinarian has an office that you can go to if you need to pick up medicine or to stop in to ask questions or go over changes with your horse.
4. Find out if the veterinarian is available for emergencies at night or on weekends and holidays. This is especially important because vets usually come to you instead of you bringing your animal to a clinic. If she's not available, who covers for her? Does she have associates in her office? When sick or injured at inconvenient times, and when you're stressed out about an emergency, you really don’t want to deal with a stranger that can sometimes make you feel worse. No one can be available 24 hours a day, every day, but a good veterinarian makes herself available as much as possible.
5. Talk to the veterinarian about her treatment philosophy. Some equine vets believe in aggressive treatment, while others favor a conservative approach. For this point, "good" means someone whose philosophy closely matches yours.
6. Discuss pricing for routine procedures, such as examinations and vaccinations. You will incur these expenses each year, even if your equine never gets sick.
7. Find out if the veterinarian accepts payment plans. Equines are large animals that can run up large bills. It's hard enough to have a crisis with your horse's health, so avoid the stress of worrying about the bill on top of it.
8. Make an appointment for a check-up when you have narrowed down your list. The best way to make a final judgment is to watch the veterinarian interact with your equine. Is she thorough? Are you comfortable with the way she handles your horse? Does she answer your questions clearly and willingly? Go with your gut feeling, and if you're not comfortable, try the next vet on your list. The cost of the exams is an investment that ensures you're choosing the best vet.

Finally, for you as the owner, keeping records of all your horse's vaccinations, de-worming, physical exams, and injuries will help the veterinarian in diagnosing problems with your horse. By recognizing a recurring problem, the vet may be able to diagnose and treat your horse during the early stages.

• Horse First Aid Care
• Treating Horse Insect Bites (Wasp, Bee, Yellow Jacket)
• Equine Massage Therapy