Classic Equine, LLC

04/08/2026

We have another vaccine clinic opportunity for our Northern Michigan clients

‼️🚨💉🐴🐎

Join us April 11th at the Kalkaska fairgrounds

- Discounted vaccine and coggins pricing open to the public

💵 Cash or Check only for special pricing

03/13/2026

Reminder that we are still planning to be at the fair grounds tomorrow in Traverse City from 9am to 12pm

03/10/2026

I apologize for my tardiness in this announcement, but for those of you who know me, you know what I lack in timeliness I make up for in enthusiasm!

I am very proud to announce Classic Equine’s successful merge with Equine Medical last week.

Equine Medical was started by Dr Jeff Bunn and Dr Stephanie Rubie in 1995 in response to the growing need for equine hospitals in West Michigan. Their passion for veterinary medicine led them to grow and become a successful business with loyal customers and exceptional employees. Dr Rubie’s impending retirement from veterinary medicine encouraged Dr Bunn to start contemplating the future of Equine Medical.

Classic Equine was founded by Dr Kirk Johnson upon graduation from veterinary school in 2011, and through sheer grit, determination, and (sugar-free) Red Bull, he has built a thriving equine practice that services many wonderful clients and patients in West Michigan (and now Northern Michigan – shout out to those great Up North clients). Continued growth of Classic Equine motivated Dr Johnson to make some decisions for the future of Classic Equine.

As I recommend all mergers should go, plans were discussed in a local restaurant over a hearty lunch. After everything seemed to fall into place, we knew this was the beneficial choice for all parties involved.

To the Classic Equine Clients – We appreciate your understanding and patience as we make some changes (especially as we are transitioning between offices). These updates are to better serve you and your horses, and there are so many wonderful new projects in the works! Please give Dr Bunn and his team a warm welcome.

To the Equine Medical Clients – We will strive to make this transition as seamless as possible. We are excited for you to meet our team, and we know we have big shoes to fill. Dr Bunn will still be servicing his clients but hopefully be able to step back his on-call schedule, which is where our team is happy to fill in the gaps.

To Jeff and Linne – We thank you for giving us this opportunity to merge and grow. I love that this relationship started 20-some years ago when Kirk was just a student on Dr Bunn’s truck. There are so many more things we look forward to learning from you, and we hope to continue the exemplary care to your clients and patients that you have shown for the last 31 years.

And finally to my Husband – I cannot be more proud of the veterinarian and business owner that you have become. With all of the hard work and dedication you have poured into this practice, you have made your dreams into reality. While I might be biased, I truly believe that hands-down, the Michigan horses are more sound now that you’re around 😉

For those of you who have made it this far, please join me in congratulating both of these wonderful veterinarians. West Michigan is lucky to have you guys! 🐴❤️

- Katie Johnson

03/07/2026

🚨 We still plan to be at the Montcalm county fairgrounds tomorrow from 10am-1pm

🚫 Please do not pull on the grass anywhere on the grounds tomorrow, all the rain has it very soft!

02/24/2026

‼️ 🚨Vaccine and Coggins clinic for our Northern Michigan clients 🚨‼️

🐎 Come see us 🐎
March 14th at the Traverse City Fairgrounds
9am-12pm

02/24/2026

🐎 Montcalm county vaccine clinic. 🐎

**Special pricing to help support our 4-H youth but also open to the public! **

Come see us March 7th from 10am-1pm

02/02/2026

🐎💉🐎💉🚨Alert, Alert🚨💉🐎💉🐎

Classic Equine will be offering a couple weekday evenings at the clinic for haul in appointment’s this spring to receive vaccines and coggins at a discounted rate.

🚫-No office visit fee
💵-Receive 10% off vaccines and coggins

Everyone will be welcome
Stay tuned for dates and details!!!!!

12/26/2025

Wishing the equine community a very Merry Christmas and hopefully a silent night 😉.

From our family to yours ❤️

11/21/2025

Many of you are aware of the EHV-1 outbreak that was confirmed earlier this week in Texas and Oklahoma. Isolation is extremely important to prevent spread of EHV-1. However, we wanted to make you aware of a treatment option available for potentially exposed or exposed horses.

What is the treatment?
- Valacyclovir hydrochloride is an antiviral medication that has clinically been proven to lessen clinical signs and shedding of EHV-1.

When is this treatment most effective?
- The treatment has been proven to be most effective prior to the onset of clinical signs. However, we still recommend treatment once clinical signs have developed as it can lessen the severity of the disease.

If my horse was vaccinated, do I still need to worry about them becoming ill?
- Yes, while the vaccination is effective at lessening the severity of the respiratory form, your horse can still become ill with EHV-1. The vaccination is NOT completely effective against the neurologic form (EHM).

What does the administration of valacyclovir look like?
- This is an oral medication that is administered two to three times daily for two weeks.

What is the general cost of the medication?
- The cost will be variable between $400 to $550 per horse per treatment. (Cost varies due to available supply).

11/19/2025

In light of the recent EHV-1 outbreak at BFA in Oklahoma-

EHV-1- What is it and what to do about it

What is it?
EHV-1, also known as Equine Rhinopneumonitis, is a respiratory virus that can mutate into a neurologic form in some horses (called Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy, or EHM). There is usually a fever associated with it (a fever is a temperature over 101.5F in an adult horse), and it frequently shows respiratory symptoms (coughing, nasal discharge, enlarged lymph noted) as well as systemic signs (lethargy and decreased appetite). When this virus mutates to EHM, it presents with neurologic signs and urine dribbling.

How is it spread?
EHV-1 is spread in direct horse to horse contact, mostly through respiratory secretions. This can mean shared spaces, shared equipment, and shared people. Respiratory secretions can travel up to 30 feet between horses, and the virus can live up to 30 days on surfaces.

Vaccination:
The Flu/Rhino vaccine does build effective immunity against EHV-1, but it does not provide complete protection against EHM. The vaccine can reduce virus shedding from your horse and may be able to reduce the virus load. If your horse is vaccinated it does not guarantee that your horse will not get EHV-1 or EHM. However, it does have theoretical value against EHM (by reducing viremia), and certainly against spread of the virus by reducing viral shedding in the environment. Still, the most effective way to prevent your horse from contracting this virus is through biosecurity/isolation from other horses.

Testing:
EHV-1 is tested through blood or nasal swabs. It is not necessary to test horses not showing symptoms and that have not been exposed to the virus. If you think your horse has become infected, place them on strict quarantine and schedule an appointment to get them tested 72 hours after their initial fever (testing sooner after a fever may result in a false negative).

How to protect your horse and your barn:
Reduce exposure: If horses from your farm have travelled to any areas or shows that are in the same area as the reported outbreak (Oklahoma, Texas), quarantine them for at least 2 weeks
Take temperatures: in many cases, horses develop a fever 24 hours before they begin shedding the virus. Be diligent in observing your horses for any change in behavior and take temperatures consistently (at least twice per day) if you are worried about exposure or transmission. IF THEY HAVE A FEVER OVER 101.5, ISOLATE THEM from other horses immediately.
Vaccinate: If you are going to any shows in the near future and your horses haven’t been vaccinated for Flu/Rhino in the last 6 months, schedule a booster vaccine >7-10 days prior to leaving for your show is ideal.
Biosecurity: If you do go somewhere with your horse, be sure to keep your equipment separate. Avoid working during high traffic times and direct contact between horses.

If you plan to take your horse to any shows in the near future, please reference the show guidelines and make sure you are in compliance with their vaccination and health certificate requirements; be aware that their requirements may change rapidly as this situation develops.

For more details from AAEP about EHV-1, please visit:
https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/EHV1-4-guidelines-2021.pdf

Classic Equine
www.classicequinellc.com
616-642-6784

Emergency CoverageWe have a doctor on call 24/7 to see any emergencies your horse may have. Emergency Line: (616) 292-1168