Equine Mobile Veterinary Services, David Hayes, DVM

10/04/2026

This is looming as a real future issue for all of us!

Horse owners savor the sweet smell of freshly baled hay stacked neatly in a barn loft and take comfort knowing their horses will be well fed through winter or dry seasons. But what happens when there is a hay shortage and when the cost of hay continues to climb? 💸💸💸

Read more about the hay shortage crises at 🔗 www.elcr.org/where-will-the-hay-come-from

09/10/2026

SENIOR HORSE GUIDE!

08/26/2026

"My LDL went from 189 to 142 in three months. My doctor asked what medication I started. I told him it was a beetroot capsule - he didn't believe me. I feel better than I have in five years."

08/26/2026

08/26/2026

Dr. Jamie Pribyl, DVM, professional services veterinarian at Boehringer Ingelheim says approximately 40% of equine veterinarians in the United States are over the age of 50, heading toward retirement age. Just over 5% of veterinary graduates go on to practice as equine veterinarians.

“That is a really small number,” Pribyl said. “And then, of those 5% that go into equine practice, 50% of them will leave that equine practice within the first five years. The primary reasons are due to burnout from the demands of the profession and personal struggles due to lower starting salaries in equine practice compared to other areas of veterinary medicine.”

Issues contributing to burnout include exponentially growing student debt — which Pribyl says is not something a horse owner can do anything about — unfavorable working hours and conditions compared to small-animal colleagues and non-veterinary careers, as well as lack of work-life balance.

Read more here: https://bhnmag.co/good-client

08/19/2026

Learn about the veterinarian-client-patient relationship and how preventive care can help you limit your horse care expenses in the long run.

07/27/2026

THESE ARE THE BASICS!

Do you know your horse’s baseline? 🤔

Knowing what’s normal for your horse’s vital signs is one of the best tools you have for spotting early signs of distress or illness!

Practicing taking your horse’s TPR (Temperature, Pulse, Respiration) regularly helps you know their personal baseline so you can quickly spot when something is off. If your horse seems unusually dull or anxious and their numbers fall outside these typical ranges, it’s time to call your equine veterinarian:

🌡️ Temperature: 99.0°F – 101.5°F
❤️ Heart Rate: 28 – 40 beats/min
😮‍💨 Respiration Rate: 12 – 16 breaths/min

Note: Hot weather and high humidity can cause minor shifts in these numbers. Chat with your veterinarian about what’s normal for your specific horse and environmental conditions, and ask them to double-check your technique at your next visit!

💡 Special thanks to the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee for sharing these essential health guidelines.

05/21/2026

HOW AND WHY DO HORSES GET ULCERS?

Equine gastric ulcers can affect any horse of any age. Up to 90% of racehorses and 60% of show horses, as well as non-performance horses and even foals are affected by equine gastric ulcers. Gastric ulcers result from the erosion of the stomach lining due to a prolonged exposure to the normal acid present in the stomach.

Unlike ulcers in humans, bacteria do not appear to cause equine gastric ulcers. Instead, this condition is often a man-made disease. Stall confinement alone can lead to the development of ulcers. A horse’s feeding schedule and high-grain diets can also contribute to the development of ulcers.

Stress, both environmental and physical, can increase the likelihood of ulcers, as can hauling, training, and mixing groups of horses. Strenuous exercise can decrease the emptying of the stomach as well as the blood flow, thus further contributing to the problem.

The treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers is directed at removing these predisposing factors, therefore decreasing acid production within the horse’s stomach. Prevention of ulcers is the key in helping your horse, as neutralizing the production of stomach acid is nature’s best antacid.

Please note that the only way to definitively diagnose ulcers is through a gastroscopy. An equine veterinarian should always be consulted in any case of suspected gastric ulcers to determine the best course of action and treatment for the individual horse.

05/21/2026

As the temperatures rise and the sun stays out longer, make sure your equine friends are adequately protected from harmful UV rays. ☀️

Hot summer weather puts horses at risk not only for dehydration and heat stress but also the skin damage and discomfort that accompany a sunburn— just like humans.

A lot of equestrians love some chrome on a horse, but it's important to remember that those beautiful white markings and the non-pigmented pink skin underneath are more likely to suffer from sunburn, especially in areas where the skin is more sensitive — like around the eyes and the nostrils.

In addition to the pain and discomfort, horses that are prone to recurrent sunburn may also face other long-term consequences, like the increased likelihood of developing squamous cell carcinoma (a common cancer).

If your horse is susceptible to sunburn, contact your veterinarian for more information about sun damage and recommendations to keep your equine protected this summer.

05/10/2026

⚠️ DO YOU KNOW HOW TO TELL IF YOUR HORSE IS IN DISTRESS? ⚠️

As a horse owner, it's imperative you know how to recognize problems and respond promptly. It's important to know what conditions require veterinary attention, and how to take appropriate action while you're waiting for the veterinarian's arrival.

Types of emergencies you and your horse may encounter on your journey together include colic; lacerations and bleeding wounds; impaled objects or nails in the foot; acute lameness due to conditions ranging from hoof abscess to fractures, laminitis, tendon injuries and more; eye injuries; allergic reactions; choke; and even foaling emergencies.

No matter what you may face in the future, getting to know your horse's normal vital signs (including temperature, pulse and respiration) as well as its normal behavior patterns will help you become a good observer, so that you readily recognize signs of ill health. Being prepared is in your horse's best interest.

Always remember, your veterinarian is one of your best resources. Talk to them about how they can be reached after-hours, and about recommendations for an emergency plan suitable for your individual situation.