As a horse owner, you’re faced with many choices every day. One of the most important is finding the right veterinarian for your horse. He or she will be the leader of your horse care team. When you choose a veterinarian, you want to find someone who can answer all your horse health questions, from nutrition and podiatry needs to shelter setups and vaccination schedules. Someone who can confidently and expertly guide your horse care decisions.
Here are three things to consider when it comes to finding a horse veterinarian.
Location
Location is a major factor when selecting a veterinarian. While your town might have multiple small animal veterinary clinics nearby, it could very well have only one large animal clinic (if you’re lucky). If you live in a rural area, for instance, you might have to drive a significant distance to find the closest equine hospital. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, in 2022 equine veterinarians comprised only a small fraction (3,785 of 78,717) of all private practice veterinarians in the United States. That’s slim pickings for many horse owners, depending on their location.
Services
If you have multiple equine veterinarians within a 30-45-minute radius, lucky you! It’s time to talk to fellow horse owners and ask for recommendations. Discuss their veterinary experiences—not just with routine horse care but also how their veterinarian handles emergency situations and specialty issues (i.e., reproduction, dentistry, etc.).
In most cases, horse owners are very honest. If they like their vet, they love them. If they don’t, they’ll be quick to tell you what they don’t like about that particular individual. Consider whether the veterinarian is ambulatory only (meaning he or she travels to clients’ farms for appointments and has no brick-and-mortar clinic) or if you can haul in for appointments. It’s important to ask what the farm call fee costs, if applicable.
Keep in mind that not all veterinarians can handle every health concern. Focus first on choosing a general practice veterinarian. Once you’ve found the best (or only) fit, do additional research so you’ll be prepared in the event your horse needs a specialist. Your (new) veterinarian should be able to recommend specialists such as a sports medicine practitioner, theriogenologist (reproductive specialist), ophthalmologist (eye doctor), etc.
Demeanor
If you’re trying to decide between multiple veterinarians for your horse, schedule an appointment (such as a basic wellness exam) with each to meet that individual and introduce them to your horse. This will knock out several things in one visit.
One, you can observe his or her stallside manner and how he or she handles your horse. Second, you’ll quickly be able to gauge whether the veterinarian is approachable and easy to communicate with. You should feel like you can easily pick up the phone and ask him or her about a minor issue before it becomes a serious one. Plus, you’ll establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). The veterinarian will get to assess your horse and establish baseline vital signs when he’s healthy and in a low-stress situation.
It’s crucial to establish a VCPR prior to an emergency so the veterinarian can provide the best care for your horse. Because equine veterinarians are in high demand, some practices won’t see emergencies if the horse isn’t an existing patient.
Cost
We realize horse ownership is an expensive endeavor. One place you don’t want to cut corners, however, is with your horse’s basic overall care. Ask your prospective veterinarian about payment options and if the clinic has a wellness or general care package. Be open about your budget so your veterinarian can present you with the right diagnostic and treatment options.
Most vets are happy to discuss costs with owners before moving ahead with a treatment plan, especially if you let them know up front that you’re on a tight budget. Also, some clinics will work out a payment plan if you can’t pay a hefty bill in one lump sum.
Take-Home Message
Take your time finding a horse veterinarian that’s the right fit for you, your horse, and your budget. Trust your gut when it comes to compatibility, so you know you’re going to be able to provide the best care for your horse. Focus on practice reputation, how personalities—both horse and human—mesh, communication style, and location.
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Megan Arszman, a lifelong horsewoman, loves sharing her passion for horses with others, especially her daughter. Together, they enjoy riding their Quarter Horses around their Central Indiana farm and spend weekends showing Miniature Horses and dogs.
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