Equine & Large Animal Care

Our equine wellness programs are designed to provide you with confidence your horse is receiving the highest-quality preventive health care and a fundamental foundation for a long, healthy life. We recommend annual preventive care appointments, which include a physical examination, vaccinations and dentistry, as well as more frequent de-worming. We view annual examinations as an opportunity to establish a baseline for your horse’s health as well as to detect problems before they become serious and expensive to treat. 

Vaccinations

Timing recommendations for Vaccines

Recreational riders: For best protection, core vaccines are typically given in spring (April–June).

Competitive riders: For season-long coverage, core vaccines are typically given in spring (April–June), with risk-based vaccines given pre-season (February–June) and again ~6 months later (July–December). Timing may vary depending on the length of your competitive season.

Rhino (pregnant mares): 5, 7, and 9 months of pregnancy (and consider horses housed with pregnant mares).

Core vaccines (at-home risk)

These vaccines protect against diseases horses can be exposed to even when they stay on the farm or in the pasture.

Eastern & Western Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE/WEE)
Viral diseases spread by mosquitoes that can cause severe inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Vaccination is recommended for all horses.

Tetanus
Caused by a toxin produced by Clostridium tetani, a bacterium commonly found in soil and manure. It typically enters through wounds and can cause painful muscle stiffness and spasms (often starting in the jaw and neck). Boosters are recommended after lacerations, surgery, or penetrating wounds.

Rabies
A viral disease that affects the nervous system and is spread through contact with the saliva of infected animals. Rabies is fatal once symptoms appear, so prevention through vaccination is critical.

Risk-based vaccines (exposure to other horses)

These vaccines are recommended for horses that leave the farm or have contact with outside horses (e.g., 4-H, shows, rodeos, clinics, training, boarding).

Equine Influenza
A contagious respiratory virus that can cause fever, cough, and significant illness—especially in horses that travel or mingle with others.

Equine Herpesvirus (Rhino/EHV)
A herpesvirus that can cause respiratory disease, abortion in pregnant mares, and (less commonly) neurologic disease.
Pregnant mares should be vaccinated at 5, 7, and 9 months of pregnancy (and horses housed with pregnant mares may also be recommended for vaccination).

Strangles
A highly contagious bacterial infection caused by Streptococcus equi. Common signs include fever, swollen/abscessed lymph nodes, and upper respiratory infection.

West Nile Virus (WNV)
Spread by mosquitoes and can cause inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Signs may include fever and depression, skin twitching (often around the muzzle), hypersensitivity to touch or sound, incoordination, and abnormal behavior. Because permanent neurologic damage or death can occur, early recognition and treatment are important.

EQUINE COGGINS AND EXPORTS

Equine Coggins Testing and Export Documentation Services are available to ensure horses meet health requirements for travel. Whether transporting locally or internationally, these services provide the necessary testing and paperwork to comply with regulations. These services make the process smooth and efficient, ensuring all travel requirements are met with ease and confidence.

Equine Dentistry

Horses need regular preventive dental maintenance every 1-2 years or more often if there is an issue with their bite. Unlike people, horses’ teeth have an eruption rate of two-three mm per year. The teeth should wear in correspondence to yearly eruption rate. Malocclusions, or improper position of the teeth, can lead to many health issues and behavioral problems.

Identifying dental problems as early as possible is important. There are several factors that come into play at a young age that might increase treatment needed, or make a remedy even possible:

– Loss of food while eating

– Eats hay before his grain

– Grain in water bucket

– Difficulty chewing or excess salivation

– Loss of body condition

– Large undigested food particles in manure larger than one quarter inch

– Head tilting or tossing

– Bit chewing

– Tongue lolling

– Tries to rear while bridling

– Fighting the bit or resisting the bridal

– Bucking or failing to stop or turn

– Foul odor from the mouth or nostrils

– Traces of blood in the mouth; or nasal discharge or swelling of the face.

Other horses may not show noticeable signs, because they just simply adapt to their discomfort. 

Reproductive Health

Breeding is essential for maintaining a herd, and it is an important endeavor for those seeking to produce the next competition or show horse. Dr. McCracken can provide expert guidance on breeding, as well as maintaining the health of the mare or dam during pregnancy and delivery. We offer pregnancy diagnosis via ultrasound, along with reproductive ultrasounds during important stages of pregnancy, to ensure the best care throughout the gestation period.

Diagnosis & Treatment of Medical Conditions

Though we prefer to prevent illness as much as we possibly can, there simply is no guarantee a well-cared for horse will never face an illness or injury. Dr. McCracken and team are able to diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions.  

Equine Surgical Services