Beasley Equine Clinic

09/25/2026

Happy Friday! Who is loving this fall weather?? Be safe out there and enjoy the cooler weekend!

09/24/2026

Our hearts are with the veterinary community after the heartbreaking loss of a Dr. Cadena this week.

Veterinary medicine is built around care, service, and showing up for others, but the emotional weight of this work can be incredibly heavy. Long hours, difficult cases, emergencies, compassion fatigue and the pressure to keep going can take a toll on even the strongest people.

This week, we want to pause our regular education content to say this plainly: mental health matters in veterinary medicine. Check on your veterinarians, technicians, interns, assistants, receptionists and support staff. Be kind to the people caring for your animals. And if you are struggling, please tell someone. You are not a burden, and you do not have to carry it alone.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988⁠, or visit https://988lifeline.org⁠.

Today and always, we are holding space for those grieving, those struggling quietly and everyone working in this profession with a heavy heart.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Cierra Cadena, a member of our intern team at the Equine Medical Center of Ocala. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew and loved her.

Dr. Cadena was an amazing individual and a valued member of our team. Her loss is felt deeply throughout our organization and our profession.

09/20/2026

THANK YOU Dr. Ben Sykes and Kelato for putting on a great event for our local community! Dr. Sykes is a world renowned veterinarian and EGUS researcher known for his expertise in gastric ulcers, gut health and practical ulcer prevention in horses. We are so grateful to him and his team for giving our horse owners this opportunity!

09/18/2026

Happy Friday all! Another great week in the books!

09/14/2026

A subpalpebral lavage system is a small catheter system that allows us to administer eye medications safely, easily, and frequently without having to repeatedly place medication directly into the eye.

SPLs are especially helpful for horses with deep or complicated corneal ulcers, uveitis, or other serious eye conditions that may require medication every few hours or even more frequently. Anyone who has tried to medicate a painful horse’s eye knows that it can quickly become difficult for both the horse and the handler!

To place an SPL, a small catheter is passed through the upper or lower eyelid. A soft, circular plastic footplate sits against the inside of the eyelid and is designed to rest comfortably without rubbing against the surface of the eye. The tubing is then secured along the horse’s face and mane, allowing medications to be administered through the end of the catheter. The medication travels down the tubing and directly into the eye.

This means we can give medications more frequently and with less handling of an already painful eye, while also making treatment much easier for owners and caretakers.

Eye problems in horses can progress quickly, and some conditions require very intensive treatment. An SPL is one of the tools we can use to make that treatment safer, easier, and more effective while keeping the horse as comfortable as possible.

09/11/2026

Happy Friday all! This week we had some special guests, lots of lamenesses, and lots of fun. Wishing you all a safe weekend!

09/11/2026

It has been 25 years since September 11, 2001, but it remains a day we remember together. Today, we honor the lives lost, the first responders who served without hesitation and the families who continue to carry the memory of their loved ones.

09/09/2026

CLINICAL CASE: THE IMPORTANCE OF AIRWAY ENDOSCOPY

This 22-year-old Quarter Horse gelding initially presented for difficulty breathing and an increased respiratory rate, along with some swelling beneath the jaw. While respiratory signs like these can have several possible causes, including equine asthma, his clinical signs would improve on medication but never completely resolve.

Because of the persistent respiratory signs, we performed an upper airway endoscopy. This allowed us to directly visualize the structures of the larynx and revealed an epiglottic entrapment with associated ulceration.

The epiglottis is an important structure that helps protect the airway when a horse swallows feed and water. With an epiglottic entrapment, the aryepiglottic fold becomes positioned over the epiglottis, preventing it from functioning normally. Depending on the horse, this can contribute to abnormal respiratory noise, exercise intolerance, coughing, difficulty breathing, or other respiratory signs.

The gelding was referred to the University of Illinois Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where laser surgery was performed to release the entrapped epiglottis.

Initial Endoscopy: Epiglottic entrapment with significant ulceration.

2-Week Post-Op Recheck: Significant improvement was already visible. There was still some swelling and a small area at the tip of the epiglottis that was closely monitored as healing continued.

4-Week Post-Op Recheck: The epiglottis had returned to a normal appearance, the ulceration had resolved, and the surgical site had healed beautifully. Most importantly, he is doing well clinically and can begin gradually returning to work!

Cases like this are a great example of why endoscopy can be such a valuable diagnostic tool. Respiratory signs do not always tell us exactly where the problem is coming from. Being able to directly visualize the upper airway can help us identify abnormalities that cannot be diagnosed from the outside alone and determine the most appropriate treatment.

We are excited to be able to offer endoscopy here at Beasley Equine Clinic, giving horse owners in our area access to another valuable diagnostic tool without always having to travel for the initial evaluation.

Follow along with the pictures to see the progression:
1️⃣ Initial presentation → 2️⃣ Two-week post-op recheck → 3️⃣ Four-week post-op recheck and resolution

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day from Beasley Equine Clinic!

Today, we’re thankful for all the hardworking people who keep our communities running every day. We hope you get the chance to slow down, enjoy the day and maybe spend a little extra time in the saddle.

Have a safe and happy Labor Day!

09/06/2026

Don’t forget to reserve your spot for the EGUS presentation with Dr. Sykes on September 17th!

Click the link below to reserve your tickets now: https://tinyurl.com/48peyaf6.