Napa Valley Equine

10/23/2026

💪 🌟We are so incredibly grateful for our technicians — for their spirit and tireless dedication to their patients and community! Happy National Vet Tech Week Alegra, Lauren, Caroline, Jessie & Bobbie-Sue!! We could not do it without you!! Thank you for all the laughs, support, and teamwork this year!🐎 🌟

10/21/2026

🐎 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐲!
𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐔𝐥𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 & 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐃𝐢𝐞𝐭𝐬
𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲'𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵

Gastric ulcers are common in horses—especially those in training and competition. While medication can be essential, feeding and management also play an important role in prevention and recovery.

🔬 What’s new?
A 2025 study of performance horses found improved gastric disease scores after switching to a lower-starch feed. Researchers also observed changes in gut microbes, an area scientists are continuing to explore.

🌾 Think forage first.
Frequent access to appropriate hay or pasture encourages saliva production and creates a protective fiber mat that helps limit acid splashing onto the upper stomach.

Help support your horse’s stomach with these daily habits:

✅ Keep forage available: Avoid long stretches without hay or suitable pasture whenever possible.

✅ Rethink the grain bucket: Avoid large grain meals and review your feed’s starch and sugar content.

✅ Choose calories thoughtfully: Ask about digestible fiber sources, such as beet pulp, and fat to meet energy needs with less reliance on starch.

✅ Make time to unwind: Provide appropriate turnout, consistent routines, and regular rest and recovery days.

✅ Build an individual plan: Work with your veterinarian to match feeding and workload to your horse’s needs.

😩𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐮𝐥𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞?
The only way to accurately diagnose equine ulcers is through gastroscopy.
To help raise awareness about gastric ulcers, now through October 31st we are providing 𝐠𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐭 𝟓𝟎% 𝐨𝐟𝐟 but we only have a 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 in this popular program so contact us today!

Interested in exploring more?
https://www.lbemgroup.com/2026-gastroscopy-program/

📱(707) 637-6137
📧 [email protected]

10/18/2026

The AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee is hosting a FREE webinar that we thought you all might enjoy!
Here’s the information and the link to register… Let us know in the comments if you plan to “attend” and would like to hear more about these types of events in the future :)

𝐈𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧?🐴 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒐𝒃𝒗𝒊𝒐𝒖𝒔!

Join us for our Horse Owner Education Webinar with Drs. Kim Allshouse and Michael St. Blanc to learn how to spot the subtle signs of pain, tell the difference between pain and behavior problems, and catch issues early before they become bigger concerns. 🩺

The webinar will be recorded and registrants will receive a link to the recording, so be sure to sign up even if you can’t attend the live event. ✅

📅 Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026
⏰ 8:00 to 9:30 PM EDT

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨 / 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://bit.ly/4hNdayA

10/07/2026

❓Did you know that your horse’s stomach is
producing acid 24 hours a day?
Unlike your stomach that only produces acid when you eat or drink, to help aid digestion, your horse was built to graze 23 hours a day. This is why even horses that live a relatively low-stress life can still develop ulcers.

Some signs of equine ulcers might include:

☑️ Recurrent mild colic
☑️ Reactiveness to being saddled/having the girth tightened
☑️ Ear Pinning/Poor attitude
☑️ Weight loss
☑️ Less interest in grain

If you are concerned that your horse may be suffering from ulcers, the only way to accurately diagnose equine ulcers is through gastroscopy.
To help raise awareness about gastric ulcers, now through October 31st we are providing gastroscopy of the stomach at 50% off but this program is limited to 30 horses so contact us today!

📞(707) 637-6137
📧[email protected]

09/30/2026

☀️ Warm weather & wind ahead! 💨 Napa Community Animal Response Team - Napa CART has an incredible bank of resources to help our community be prepared for wildfire season. 🐎 💪

What's your Plan for your Animals in a Disaster? It's a great time to get a plan together!

Here's a quick check list to get prepared - Be sure to tell us how many items would you add to this list!

Individual Preparedness for Large Animals - Go Bag:
✔️ Vaccine Records ✔️Luggage tags/Mane ✔️Zip ties, plastic bags ✔️ER Kit in Duffel bag ✔️Tarps, temp fencing ✔️Knife, scissors ✔️Wire, bolt cutters ✔️Bandage supplies ✔️Headlamps/lights ✔️Batteries ✔️ Duct tape

Individual Preparedness for Small Animals - Go Bag:
✔️Crates clean, ready ✔️Know evacuation plan/sites ✔️ Collapsible water bowls
✔️Large water bottle ✔️Food, baggies ✔️Hand wipes/Baby wipes ✔️Leash, Collar, Microchip ✔️Recent photos of pet ✔️Vaccine records

Need more tips for planning or preparing for an emergency or disaster? Visit our website at https://napacart.org/emergency.../pre-plan-for-emergency/

09/22/2026

🐕 Our field and office team have expanded today to include Dr. Wilford’s Willow 🥰& Xochi’s Popeye is always ready to help you schedule! 🫡😂 Puppy days are the best days at NVE! 🐎 🐶

09/09/2026

🐎𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠’𝐬 (𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐃) 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐨𝐚𝐭?
…When most owners think of Cushing's (PPID) in horses, they think of a long, dull haircoat, that doesn’t shed well, as the key sign. While this is a strong indicator that your horse should be tested, this is unfortunately a sign of more advanced disease. Some other signs you might see are:
✅ 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲
✅ 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲
✅ 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗹𝘆
✅ 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀
✅ 𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝘀
✅ 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆

If you have seen any of these symptoms in your horse it may be wise to have them tested for Cushing’s.

⭐️Now through the end of September we are providing 𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐮𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 (𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜/ 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞) 𝐚𝐭 𝟓𝟎% 𝐨𝐟𝐟! This is also a great time to have your annual testing done if your horse has already been diagnosed.

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞’𝐬 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭!
📞 (707) 637-6137
📧 [email protected]

09/01/2026

🥹 Our Dr. Katherine Szabo received a thoughtful note & this joyful video thanking her for her care of this dear patient who is 33 years young. This made us muse that we can all only *hope* to be living life this fully in our golden years AND to have access to the care & support of doctors like Dr. Szabo and NVE 💪 🐎

08/24/2026

👋 Please give a warm welcome to Dr. Megan Wilford - a new face you may see in our trucks! Dr. Wilford’s passion for equine care began in the Bay Area, where she grew up riding & volunteering with a therapeutic horseback riding program. While at UC Davis, she actively competed on the IHSA Hunter/Jumper team & acquired her first horse, an OTTB named Moose ♥️. Looking to experience more of the U.S. she dedicated time as a veterinary technician in Oregon and then earned her veterinary doctorate degree from Colorado State University. During her veterinary studies, she engaged in research focused on nutrition & reproduction while also pursuing specialized training in podiatry and sports medicine. Although she enjoys an adventure – Dr. Wilford was drawn back to beautiful Northern California, her family, and Napa Valley Equine! 🐎 🌊

Dr. Wilford’s primary clinical interests encompass wellness & preventative care, emergency medicine, and sports medicine. The NVE team is thrilled to welcome her to our group, and we can’t wait for her to meet our Napa Valley horses and owners! 💫

08/08/2026

The USEF released a notice recently regarding the use of cetirizine (human product - Zyrtec) and also regarding methocarbamol (brand name Robaxin) during competition.

Cetirizine is a popular and very useful medication for horses with many types of allergies and methocarbamol is often prescribed as a muscle relaxant…
Read more about the updated regulations and how these changes might impact your horse: https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-releases-new-guidance-for