10 Things Equine Veterinarians Wish Their Clients Knew

Updated October 16, 2024

We asked Dr. Lydia Gray for the top 10 things equine veterinarians want their clients to know, but don't always have time to tell you.

1. How to take your horse’s vital signs.

For step-by-step info on how to measure your horse’s temperature, pulse, and respiration, check out this article and video on taking your horse's vital signs.

2. Your horse’s “daily schedule”

Knowing about how much your horse eats (hay, grain, supplements, and medications), drinks, urinates, and defecates every day will help you have an early warning when things might be amiss. Keeping a journal is a great option, whether kept as a physical book, document on your computer, or note on your phone.

3. Don’t skip your annual

The more your veterinarian sees your horse when they are healthy, the better they’ll be able to help your horse when they're unwell. An annual physical is a great way to establish a baseline for what’s “normal” in your horse.

4. Not all vaccines are created equal

Having your veterinarian administer vaccines is your best bet for your horse’s health. You’ll be assured of proper storage and handling, plus vaccines administered by your veterinarian may be backed by a guarantee from the pharmaceutical company.

5. Deworming has changed

Rotational deworming is out, and fecal egg counts are in. Learn about proper parasite control methods by reading our guide to horse deworming.

6. What should be in your first aid kit

Watch this Ask the Vet video for a detailed list of suggested equine first aid medical items to have in the barn at all times. (And don’t forget to replace anything you use.)

7. What is an emergency

From eye injuries to colic, in this article we’ve listed common horse emergencies that always require immediate veterinary attention.

8. The risk factors and signs of colic

Learn about the proven colic risk factors as well as how to identify the signs of colic and how you can help your horse.

9. Teeth matter!

Your horse’s dental health can impact their weight, attitude, performance, and more. There’s no substitute for having your veterinarian look and feel inside your horse’s mouth.

10. Your horse’s body condition score

A healthy weight is critical to overall wellness. You can assess and monitor your horse's weight by using the Henneke Body Condition Scoring System.