State of the Equine Veterinary Industry

I had the honor last year to be asked to be part of the team that puts together and presents the Business News Hour at the annual AAEP convention.  If you’re not familiar with it, AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) puts on an annual conference hosting equine veterinarians from around the world (usually between 4,000 and 5,000 attendees).  The Business News Hour presentation is just what it sounds like – a collection of things in the news over the previous year, specific to the equine veterinary community, that affect the equine and/or veterinary world. It is presented by 3 veterinarians. 

In this blog post, I thought it worth discussing some of the highlights of the News Hour to give our clients and readers insight into what the equine veterinary community is talking and worried about.

State of the Horse Industry

Starting with the Horse Industry as a whole: The American Horse Council did an economic impact study with data collected in 2023 and released in early 2024.  This data shows a shrinking horse population across the United States, although the dollars spent continues to rise.  The equine industry is a $177 billion (with a B) industry, with 2.2 million jobs associated! 

Veterinary Cost Increases

Per the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), equine veterinarians make up about 3.4% of the veterinary population.  There are currently a couple of shifts occurring within this population: 1) there is an increasing number of ambulatory practitioners and 2) there is an increasing number of equine veterinarians employed by corporations or consolidators. 

As for the corporations, there is a lot said in the mainstream media blaming them for the price increases that clients see on their vet bills, both small animal and equine.  While those increases are definitely real, corporations/big business don’t carry all of the blame.  There have also been steep increases in equipment and medication costs that impact all veterinarians, as well as increasing wage and other employment costs. 

Veterinary Shortages

Another frequent issue in the news has been a “veterinary shortage”.  There may be some relief on the horizon as there are currently 13 new veterinary schools in the pipeline for accreditation, which – if all 13 are accredited – would equate to a 40% increase in the number of vets in 10 years. This will affect the equine community a little less since the percentage of graduating students from vet school that go into equine medicine is usually only around 5 %, but it will still constitute some relief, if those equine veterinarians can be retained. 

The difficulty in retaining equine veterinarians is a very real issue, with two essential facts at the foundation of this problem.  The first is the reality of life as an equine veterinarian. A lot is asked of the average equine veterinarian – normal daily duty, on-call (emergency) duty, keeping up medical records, client communications, often long driving hours – and that doesn’t begin to take into consideration the business aspects of the profession for any solo practitioner or clinic owner (marketing, accounting, etc.). It’s an immense amount of work.

Secondly, the equine sector has always been a fair measure behind the small animal (dogs and cats) in the salary realm.  The “average salary” of the equine veterinarian is usually presented as significantly less than the “average salary” for a small animal practitioner.

This could be aptly summarized as “more work for less pay.”  The comfort of working in a small animal hospital versus the barn aisle could start to look pretty appealing if you don’t love what you do!  In response to these realities, the AAEP has been very intentional about making it known that we (equine veterinarians) can be paid better but we have to be better at business.  Most of us went to school to be veterinarians, not business owners, and we learn by the school of hard knocks. 

I will expand on these realities further in the coming months, because I believe that the average horse owner should understand the challenges that horse veterinarians face (since they directly impact your horses), but there is the basic layout.

New Laws affecting Veterinary Care

From a legislative standpoint, there are some significant changes either in the works, or already passed, that will affect the veterinary community. 

  1. The PAWs Act of 2024 has bipartisan support and should go through.  It allows consumers to utilize HSA (health savings accounts) or FSA (flex spending accounts) to pay for vet bills or pet insurance. 
  2. The definition of a VCPR (veterinary/ client/ patient relationship) is changing as well.  How we as vets establish this VCPR was drastically changed in California in 2024.  A telehealth consultation is now sufficient to create a VCPR and from that telehealth consult, a veterinarian can prescribe medications.  These are slippery slopes as these kinds of laws could open a Pandora’s Box of problems.  In my mind, something like this creates more potential issues than solves problems.  Colorado (in the last week) has introduced a bill that looks a lot like the California bill. 
  3. In the veterinary world, one of the hottest legislative topics has been the passage of Prop 129 here in Colorado.  Because there was very little support from the veterinary community (virtually all of the professional organizations within veterinary medicine opposed Prop 129), there is some shock that the proposition was passed.  Prop 129 in Colorado creates a “Mid-Level Practitioner,” who will theoretically be allowed to practice veterinary medicine – able to diagnose, create a treatment plan, and perform surgery.  This, with an educational experience of 53 credit hours – 40 of which would be online – and only 13 hours of in-person training.  Put plainly, this is dangerous for animals, consumers, and our food supply.  It is honestly an insult to the veterinary students putting in time and money to become veterinarians. 

New Practice Models

Many of the factors listed above are contributing to changing models of how equine practices work.  As horse owners, when you see your vet change their hours, how they provide emergency services, and generally make an effort to carry less workload in a weeks’ time, don’t be surprised.  Trying to be efficient in an inherently inefficient business that has us driving all over the countryside is the new target for most of us. 

Some examples of these efforts are: cooperatives of smaller practices coming together to provide emergency care; emergency-only practices to relieve the “normal” vet after 5 pm; and veterinarians providing tele-triage services for the overnight hours.  All of these and many more novel ideas are being tested to help decrease attrition and attract new veterinary talent into the equine veterinary workforce. 

I could write pages more from the Business News Hour, but we will call these the highlights and pertinent things for Colorado in particular.  I could also write a tome regarding the state of the equine veterinary industry. It’s a passion of mine, and our industry is changing at many levels, including economics, shrinkage, and technological changes. Just to name a few of the vital ones. 

As these times change, I believe the interaction and the exchange of care for our equine patients will change as well.  The level of accountability of the horse owner (or an agent of that owner), will have to increase.  For example, in an emergency situation, it may become regular to begin with a telehealth consult, followed by (depending on the state of the horse), trailering the horse to the veterinarian, rather than the vet coming to you. 

Costs of equine veterinary care are already on the rise, and without understanding and the horse owning community taking some of the above-mentioned accountability, there will be fewer equine veterinarians, which will lead to a supply and demand issue, driving prices even higher.  Helping and understanding the conditions and nuances that are happening with equine vets will at some level allow horse owners to control their own destiny.

Saying Goodbye: responsible end-of-life horse stewardship

This is a hard post to write. Euthanasia is very difficult topic, and one that none of us want to think about, but it’s something that we, as horse owners, will all have to deal with at some point. 

Responsible horse stewardship includes making the decision to say goodbye to our equine partners when the time comes. Knowing what to expect, and understanding some of the practicalities of the process, can help us to be prepared to offer our beloved horse companions as pain, and stress-free an exit from this life as we can provide. 

How to make the decision 

“What do you think, Doc?” 

As veterinarians we get asked this question all of the time.  It can pertain to anything from how to deal with a lameness issue, to when it’s “the right time to say goodbye.”  The “when to say goodbye” question is arguably the most difficult we – both as horse owners and as veterinarians – have to face. 

Sometimes it is certainly far more clear cut than others.  Emergencies such a broken leg or a very sick or colicky horse can leave horse owners no choice but to end the suffering. On the other hand, the aging horse which is not holding weight or is limping around on a chronic basis can be a far more difficult and nuanced discussion.

That is the important part though – the discussion. 

It can be a very difficult thing to discuss or even think about, but your veterinarian should be able to guide you through the process so that you and your family can make an educated decision.  Elements such as chronic pain or lameness, weight loss, and inappetence are three common issues which often start the concern that it “might be time.” 

Part of the conversation that I personally have with clients is that often the horse “tells us.”  Their eye may change and become dull. They may start to lack the zest for life which they had years (or even weeks) ago.  They may become disinterested in food, or companionship, or just stand and stare off into the distance as they retreat into themselves. It can be different for different horses, but as the person who knows your horse the best, you will probably recognize it. 

When horses start to have difficulty just being horses, the term “quality of life” comes into play.  Defining that concept can be difficult to pin down, but in the end it is the most important piece of the puzzle. As the stewards for our horses, if the quality of life has significantly changed I believe it is our duty to end their suffering.

 What to Expect

 Your veterinarian should walk you through the practicalities, but generally it is done by your veterinarian with a lethal injection. There is no need to move the horse to a clinic or hospital for the procedure. It can be done where your horse lives, in a familiar and reassuring location. If possible it’s good to conduct the procedure in an area that will be accessible by removal equipment or a backhoe, depending on what you do with the physical remains (we’ll discuss that more below). 

Typically, a sedative is given first via intravenous injection in the neck, to help the horse fall more easily and so the horse doesn’t get distressed as they start to feel sleepy. After this an overdose of an anesthetic type drug is given, stopping the horses’ heart. Sometimes the horse makes involuntary movements, jerking limbs or gasping. Although this can be disconcerting, it is important to remember that the horse is unconscious, and is feeling no pain or distress.

 The drugs take effect very quickly. Your veterinarian will confirm death, and allow you to have some time alone with your horse if you desire.

 How to Deal with Remains

Once a horse has been euthanized with lethal injection, the body is toxic.  It must therefore be dealt with properly. Here in Jefferson County, we have 3 options for the remains: communal burial, plotted burial, and cremation. In all instances an animal removal service is used to transport the body to its final location.  This is often referred to as the “rendering” truck, but nothing does in fact go to the rendering plant.  Communal burial is a mass grave at a non-visitation location. If you feel that you may want to visit a site in the years to follow, there are plotted burial options.  These, and cremation, are significantly more costly, but they are viable options.

Because of their size, there are only a limited number of places which can deal with a horse either for burial or cremation, so planning and discussion of what to do with the remains months or even years before can make the whole process run a little smoother.  Euthanasia discussions are not easy ones to have, but for the sake of our equine companions, they are a necessary one.

Equine Preventative Medicine Checklist

Along with spring comes vaccinations and preventative care appointments for our equine friends. We all understand the importance of preventative medicine, but it’s easy to miss things, so we’ve prepared a list of what you should be doing with your horse to make sure they’re healthy and prepared for summer riding season.

Vaccinations

We will start with the easiest – vaccinations. Vaccine protocol for the spring varies depending on your geography and your individual horse’s exposure potential and travel schedule. Always consult with your veterinarian if you are going to travel somewhere new with your horse. Here on the Front Range, we typically recommend a 5 way (eastern and western equine encephalitis, tetanus, rhinopneumonitis, and influenza) and a West Nile booster as the basic starting place for spring vaccinations. For a more in depth discussion of the vaccinations we recommended in Colorado and why, see the blog titled Why are the Vaccines we give in Spring So Important Here in Colorado?

Deworming

Deworming used to be easy – give your horse a deworming paste at set intervals and you’re done. But research has shown that deworming is certainly not as straightforward as we once thought it was. There are several options and differing approaches to deworming, and whether you opt to use a classical “rotational” deworming, or a more targeted “Fecal Egg count” approach, spring is a time to think about how to protect your horse from internal parasites. There are pros and cons to different deworming approaches, and we have complete articles on both of these regimes listed below.

Rotational Deworming – What’s the Right Choice?

The Scoop on Fecal Egg Counts

Dentistry

teeth

Although there is nothing tying teeth floating to vaccination, deworming or seasonality, most people (veterinarians included) like the convenience of combining all of the preventative medicine into a single visit. Spring is a critical time to have your horses’ teeth checked comprehensively. Tooth and other mouth issues can have a dramatic impact on your horses’ comfort, performance, and even lameness issues. Dental issues and questions like “Does my horse need a float?” are immense subjects and are covered in detail in previous issues of the blog.

Why is Regular Dentistry so Critical to your Horses’ Health?

How Do I know My Horse Needs a Float?

Why Do I Need to Float my Horses’ Teeth?

Physical Examination

A good general physical exam is a good idea for all horses this time of year so that we (both owner and veterinarian) are assured that there is no need for an alteration to the diet or that some insidious disease process is slowly creeping in unnoticed. It’s also very helpful to have a baseline of your horses’ health so when changes happen they can be noticed, and dealt with, quickly. Summer is riding and show season, and a physical examination will ensure your horse is at the top of their game, making your time together enjoyable for you both. An important aspect of the physical exam that often gets ignored is a very brief (just a few minutes) lameness exam. Whether you have noticed that your horse is tripping a bit more, or he just hasn’t been evaluated, a check of his legs could be invaluable in finding a mild issue before it is a major one. If this is something you are interested in, be sure to let the office know when you schedule your appointment that you would like the veterinarian to spend a bit of time with a lameness evaluation, so that a scheduling issue doesn’t arise.

Spring Preventative Medicine Checklist

Below is a quick reference for when your vet arrives for spring tune ups for the horses. I have had clients use this little outline as a basis for questions they have for the vet when he or she arrives. We all fall victim to “I forgot to ask while you were here” questions! Happy trails and enjoy the beautiful Colorado spring!!

Quick Checklist for Spring:

  • vaccines – 5-way and West Nile Booster
  • deworming or FEC – which is better for your horse?
  • Dental – Does your horse need a teeth float?
  • General Physical including weight evaluation, diet discussion, old age changes (ie cushings), and lameness evaluation

What is Cellulitis?

Last night when you fed your horse you didn’t notice any issues as you performed your quick “once over” before rushing back out the barn door. But this morning they have a severely swollen leg, and they are hobbling around.

What happened? 

The list of possibilities isn’t terribly long, but there are serious things on it: fractures, hoof abscesses, laminitis, joint infections, and cellulitis.  Of course, fracture is the one that no one wants to hear and has significant ramifications.  Laminitis and abscesses typically don’t have the significant swelling described in the “case” above.  Joint infections would likely have been associated with trauma or a recent joint injection, and the swelling would likely be associated with a particular joint, not the entire leg.  That leaves this horse with a likely case of cellulitis. 

If you haven’t ever seen a case, they can be impressively swollen, and this can happen relatively quickly (overnight)! See below for an example.

What is cellulitis

Cellulitis is an infection of the deeper layers of the skin and the subcutaneous spaces.  The pressure and inflammation make it extremely uncomfortable for the horse.  They are usually very painful to the touch (maybe not everywhere they are swollen, but some portion of the swelling), and there is a lot of heat. Severe cases can have serum oozing from the skin. The horse may have a mild to moderate fever as well.

What causes cellulitis?

The infection can initiate from an obvious recent wound, bed sore, “scratches”, or other minor scrapes. It could also be a result of a more significant laceration from days before that seemed to be healing in the right direction.  Another common route that these can begin is secondary to a hoof abscess.  The infection begins in the hoof and then in the right set of circumstances, manages to take hold and cause further infection higher up the leg.

How is cellulitis treated?

If you notice the swelling before it is as extreme as the picture above, getting medical attention could prevent it from becoming such an advanced case.  Medical attention usually consists of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories systemically.  On occasion, a “regional limb perfusion (RLP)” may be justified.  An RLP is a way for the veterinarian to get very high concentrations of antibiotics to the area of concern using a tourniquet and antibiotics directly infused into the affected limb.  Hydrotherapy (cold hosing) is also often indicated. 

Managing cases of cellulitis early is paramount to preventing long term ramifications such as lymph damage (lymphangitis), or laminitis.  Lymphangitis is an inflammatory process in the normal lymph drainage of the limb, and can leave the limb permanently swollen.  If there is enough swelling in the leg during the cellulitic process, it could cause enough vascular alterations to damage the laminae of the foot, causing laminitis. 

If you find your horse with a sudden non-weight bearing lameness (or barely weight bearing), we would always tell you that it is justification for a phone call to your veterinarian, and most likely a visit.

Pre-Purchase Exams

You have been combing through Facebook feeds for months looking for the perfect horse.  Then, when all seems lost, you find the one that checks all of the boxes… he’s the right color, age, and temperament and of course, he is “guaranteed sound!”  What’s next?  Run out the door hook up the trailer… no wait, someone said that you should do something else.  Oh yeah, you come to your senses and call or email to see if your veterinarian can fit you in for a Pre-Purchase Exam. 

Do I really need a PPE?

In the uncertain world of horses, you have to hedge every bet that you can.  While a PPE isn’t a guarantee in any way, it is a way to help ensure that this perfect horse you are ready to fly out the door for is in fact somewhere close to perfect (for you).  Having a veterinarian go over this potential purchase with a careful eye is the best way for you to make an informed decision about whether your desires align with the horses’ abilities. 

What is a PPE?

It is NOT a pass/fail exam.  A PPE is a moment in time of the health of that horse.  As veterinarians, we are looking to help understand not only what is currently going on with the horse, but also trying to give you (the buyer), some understanding of what may come with that horse.  It is no way a look into a crystal ball, but it can give us hints as to problems that are in the future of that animal.  This information along with your expectations of the horse will help to make the most informed decision you can.

What to Expect?

There are many parts to a PPE, and each exam is a bit different, depending on the expectations of the horse and the buyer.  A companion horse’s exam may be entirely different than one that is expected to jump/run/slide for the next 10 years.  Three essential components to a PPE are:

1) Conformation and its application to function (can the horse physically do what he is supposed to do). The conformation of a horse is how it has been put together.  Certain “body types” or conformations lend themselves to better performance in certain disciplines.  What makes a good jumper doesn’t necessarily make a good cow horse!  

2) General Physical Examination (all of the inside and the outside, and do these things work right). This includes examination from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail.  A quick (and certainly not complete list) might include:  Auscultation of the heart, lungs and gut sounds, eyes, lymph nodes, ears, teeth, jugular veins, any scars present, lumps/bumps and swellings, palpation of the back and neck and limbs (including range of motion). In other words, a pretty detailed checkup. 

3) Dynamic Exam (lameness, flexions and associated observations of the horse in motion).  A lameness exam is the evaluation of how a horse uses their limbs.  What is their “normal” way of going and how does that play into what they are to be used for (a “baseline”).  A flexion is a “stress” test, where a joint or set of joints is stressed for a given amount of time, and then the horse is asked to trot (usually), and they are evaluated if a painful response has been induced.  If the veterinarian does create pain from the flexion test, it may be an indication of an issue that we don’t see on baseline exam.  This positive response to flexion may be justification for an x-ray, ultrasound or both… or it may be enough to just end the exam and say that this isn’t the horse for you.  Always keep in mind that a PPE is a fact-finding mission — to help you make the best choice you can!

Beyond these basics, the sky is the limit as to what might be included in the exam (and your expectations).  Under saddle exam, radiographs (x-rays), ultrasound, breeding soundness exam, sedated dental exam, upper airway exam, blood work, genetic testing, and drug testing to name a few!! 

I usually prepare my clients for a routine exam (the three essential components) to take somewhere around an hour, and if we are going to add other parts to the exam, that time can easily double or even triple!  Each veterinarian or clinic will likely have a different pricing structure, but again, a Pre-Purchase Exam is a data-finding mission, to help you make the most informed decision that you can. 

One other piece of advice that I offer to clients is that when performing a PPE is this… Perfect horses are hard to come by… so understand what your tolerances might be and be prepared for a “these are the pros and these are the cons kind of discussion!” 

Happy Horse Hunting!

2022 State of the Veterinary Practice (MVS)

With the start of the new year, we here at Mobile Veterinary Services made a new start of our own. We are very excited about the changes 2022 is bringing, not the least of which is our digs!

New Office Location

The office located on Indiana Street was a great home for MVS for around 30 years, but as MVS expanded we simply outgrew the space.  If you have visited us in recent years at the office, you might have noticed that we were literally bursting at the seams! Our new location is just down the road off of I-70 and Kipling – the address is 10600 W. 50th Ave., Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. It’s warehouse space, and allows us much more room to breathe.  Having an indoor space where we can park the trucks is a wonderful added advantage.

Kristy will be in the new office most of the time during normal business hours and will greet you with a smile if you stop by for a visit or to pick up meds.  For your convenience, we hope to be able to get an after-hours pickup area set up in the coming months.  Until then, it is best to communicate with Kristy to be sure that she will be there to hand you your medications. 

New Veterinarian

This extra space will allow us to grow in many ways.  Most importantly, we will be adding a new doctor this summer.  Dr. Maria Brock will be joining the team in June, and we couldn’t be more excited.  Over the last 5 years, many of you have met Dr. Brock as she has ridden with us in the trucks.  Watch for her bio coming to the MVS blog and to Facebook in a few months. 

The addition of Dr. Brock will allow us to spread the on-call schedule a little further and reduce the load on all of us.  As veterinarians, burn-out is a real thing.  Long days followed by on-call duties can be a strain.  The ability to balance our passion for caring for horses and enjoying our own horses and families is a very important piece of the puzzle that allows the staff of MVS to provide you and your horses with the best possible care and attention.

New Client Education Offerings

The Mobile Veterinary Mission is, “Educating for better horse health,” and having this larger space will also allow us to hold client education seminars in a comfortable and convenient location.  Look for offerings coming in the near future. Mark your calendars for the first one, which will be offered March 29. Topic TBD.

What won’t change in 2022 is our ongoing commitment to our human clients and equine patients to be the best veterinary practice we can be. From our thriving community on Facebook; to our educational offerings on the MVS blog, client education seminars, and in-person appointments; to our own commitment as a practice to stay on top of the latest advances in equine medicine, we are excited for 2022 and look forward to all that it will have to offer!

Fecal Egg Counts and Deworming

As spring begins to show its face in beautiful flowers and new grasses, the parasite life cycle is renewed.  Warmer weather encourages larval maturation from fecal contamination in pastures. As these larvae mature they make the progression up the blade of grass and await consumption by a new host.  As your horse grazes on the fresh spring grass, transmission occurs. This is a very simple representation of a parasite life cycle. 

Fecal egg counts (FEC) have been a hot topic for many years now, and they remain the best way to monitor and treat for parasite infestation in our equine partners.  Performing a FEC gives us an understanding of what your horse is shedding at that time, and is a likely representation of what they are dealing with internally.  Understanding this, we selectively prescribe dewormer for that particular horse and their individual issues.  Two or three weeks later, we recheck FEC to be sure that the dewormer did what we needed it to do! 

In Colorado, it is not uncommon for a horse to show no signs of parasites in an FEC. Our unique environment of generally dry and freezing conditions helps to reduce the transmission of parasites in general, and many horses lack substantial grazing opportunities. But they certainly still do occur. 

Since responsible deworming of your horse is a bit more involved than it used to be, each case and circumstance can be unique.  If you have questions about your particular horse, the environmental conditions, or their potential for exposure, you should have a discussion with your veterinarian. 

Meet the MVS Staff: Spotlight on Dr. Shane Baird

Dr. Shane Baird is a 2002 graduate of the CSU College of Veterinary Medicine. He started working for Dr. John Young at Mobile Veterinary Clinic after graduation and purchased the practice in 2007. MVS was his first and only veterinary job, and the clients and patients are firmly tied to Dr. Baird’s heart and soul.

Dr. Baird’s greatest friendships and loves have been rooted from this practice. MVS is truly a family affair. Dr. Baird’s wife, Jeanine, is his technician. His mother-in-law, Kristy, is the office manager, and his mom, Gail, does client follow-up. Cayden, Dr. Baird and Jeanine’s son, has grown up in the backseat of the vet truck.

Lameness and dentistry have developed into Dr. Baird’s favorite aspects of equine veterinary practice. The challenge of a good lameness workup – while frustrating at times – gives him immense satisfaction when he can improve the quality of a horse’s career. Dentistry provides a path to improve the horse/rider relationship, as it is an issue that can be easily overlooked. Dr. Baird is a mentor to his clients as well as his staff. Educating and communicating to improve the health of the horse has evolved into a way of life.

Dr. Baird’s passion in life is horses. A busy work and personal schedule can leave little time to ride, but he finds solace in spending time with and working on client horses. When there is time to ride, he and his Quarter Horse gelding, Rome, prefer the wide-open spaces of Colorado and the west.