High Water Veterinary Services

09/04/2026

I often get told, “wow, you do a lot of things!”

Yes.

Our practice is primary focused at Sports Medicine.

But… I personally believe the whole
Horse matters. In so many occasions focusing just on the axial skeleton leaves a lot of room for things to go wrong.

I personally view Wellness, Dentistry, Nutrition, body work and several more factors lead to good Soundness and competition. If you aren’t address the whole. Only fixing small problems. It won’t fix the bigger picture.

We do not limit ourselves to just one area of practice.

We are here to make your visits as comprehensive as possible. And when it is more than I know, I have a slew of -brilliant, smarter than me - Doctors I reach out too.

From the backyard horse who needs to be comfortable to our elites athletes headed to Congress, Dressage Nationals, AEC’s and World’s.

We got you.

Sometimes we take care of a few other species too. 💙🩶

(419)577-9060
[email protected]

09/03/2026

To the clients seeing me today….

I suffered a bit of Heat Stroke yesterday. I realized I was profusely sweating, and getting light headed. I ended up sitting/falling several places in the barn. I sprayed myself with water. Had a bit of the shakes and a headache. I have 2 moments of darkened to blackened vision. Definitely scared a few when they found me sitting quietly starring off into space.

I spent my afternoon rehydrating. Got checked by my resident EMT, and declined a trip to the hospital.

I am feeling better this morning but still have a massive headache and a little weak. If I sit down for a few minutes today, I just need a second.

This all occurred within 15-20 minutes of me riding Bratley. Initially I was mad I was riding like absolute trash…. Until I realized my lights were about to trip off. Thankfully I didn’t stubble and fall until I had gotten off and made it to the barn. My 7 year old OTTB stood quiet as can be, and shuffled his feet quietly until I took a seat.

Having never had Heat Stroke before.. not sure why yesterday decided to check it off the “not so great” bucket list. Highly do not recommend.

See you out on the farms possible a little bit quieter today. I promised Matt, I would come home and make Charlie drive if it started back up again.

Be careful my equestrian friends.

For all the things this little horse lacks in being ridden. He sure does make up in loving you. Good boy Bratley. Even if I was super pi**ed at you initially, I quickly realized you knew I wasn’t right.

Dr. Meer

09/02/2026

Let’s talk about emergencies. Focusing on horses for a moment.

Lacerations, Colic, Choke, Eyes, Down Horses, Laminitis, Non weight baring lameness, Tying up….. etc.

Emergencies happen. That is life. But you can be prepared.

Most Emergency costs start around $500-800 depending on time of day and what day of the week it is. Daytime hour Emergencies during the work week have a less expensive charge due to Doctors being often already on the road.

After hours, on that weekends or Non clients are more expensive.

Intensive Emergencies often cost $1000-2000. Referral to hospital settings go beyond that. Some referrals require a down payment. OSU for example asked for $1000 down right off the bat.

I strongly, highly beg you have a savings fund, AND a Care Credit application already filed. A $2500-3000 savings fund is a great place to start. Put it in a high yield account and let it just make money if not used. Aim to add $2500 a year and you may eventually have enough for potential colic surgery or a major catastrophe emergency. This way, financial concerns do not have to dictate care.

There is Insurance and some Emergency care programs but that is not always a guaranteed coverage.

It is incredibly hard on all involved when finances limit even the most minor of emergencies from being seen.

Horses ARE expensive. Basic vaccines twice a year, and dentistry runs about $1000 a year. (Rounding up.)

Please make a bank account specifically for possible Emergencies. It makes everyone’s lives easier.

A tired, weary Veterinarian who is sick of being “in it for the money and not loving animals.”

09/01/2026

08/31/2026

Another weekend spent spaying and neutering cats at a Low Cost Rescue servicing our community and building the skills of my future colleague (and wonderful friend.)

Back on the farms this morning with a few extra bags under my eyes but a full heart.

08/30/2026

Maybe doesn’t account for Equine or large animal….

But…. She isn’t wrong when it comes to the Small Animal side and Specialty hospitals.

Food for Thought. 💭

08/29/2026

💙💚It has been a relatively quiet week between fairs, and the start of school. Which allowed me some time extra time to spend with a few beloved clients and learning more about what some of my 4H kids do. It was great to see the Lorain County fair for the first time and have a very knowledgeable tour guide. I didn’t realize how many clients I had there.

I am not sure who had a bigger smile. Them or me.

Off to spay and neuter some cats today with my Favorite Fourth Year Veterinary Student, The soon to be Dr. Brown. 💚💙

08/28/2026

Dearest Ohioans,

Though we have enjoyed the last few gorgeous weeks of cooler weather, Summer is not over yet.

Next week there are projections of 90+ degree temperatures. It’s Ohio, so there will also be humidity.

Please tell me you haven’t stopped treating your Anhydrosis horses? Cause we gonna be in trouble….

Since Rambler isn’t a fan of ANY NEEDLES, let alone Acupuncture, this is how I keep the “Perfect One” sweating. Every horse has its own concoction of supplements, medications and treatments which work for them. It is just finding the right combination.

Please keep us posted on how your horses are sweating and handling the heat.

We are here for you!

(419)577-9060
[email protected]

08/25/2026

It’s that time of year again for Fall Vaccinations and check ups.

I was recently told one of my 4H kiddos got a questions wrong regarding Equine Vaccines. She said vaccines are twice a year. (CORRECT!) She was told it was only once a year. She happily told me she knew she was keeping her horse safe, and knew what she was talking about! (LOVE IT!)

While vaccine recommendations can appear to be crystal clear, they are not. Horse vaccinations are determined by region you live, lifestyle, age, Immune status and exposure of the horse.

My practice is in an area of Ohio where we have A LOT of water sources. Including a large Great Lake. This means A LOT of bugs. Mosquitos, Mayflies, Snails, lots of flavors of flys and more.

For my clients, I recommend boostering Fall vaccines with:

1) Encephalopathies. Eastern, Western and West Nile. All of these virus are spread by mosquitos. They are fatal. This vaccine is once a year to every 3-4 months depending on your location. In our area, I recommend twice a year.

2) Potomac Horse Fever. Diarrhea, Fever and Laminitis. PHF can appear in many ways. It does not require all the above signs. The fever is often missed. It is spread by mayflies, and snails. The vaccine is recommended every 3-6 months depending on location. I follow this recommendation.

3) Influenza and Herpes are spread by other horses. Any horse who is horse showing, or any horse at a facility in which horses are coming and going on and off site, even if your horse is not. I recommend vaccinating every 6 months. This causes respiratory signs with fever. It can also turn into a Neurologic form. The Neurologic form is not fully understood.

4) Tetanus is automatically including within my vaccine set. This allows there to be no question if your horses are UTD in case of abscess, scratches, lacerations, etc.

My active clients have received Rabies in the spring.

Additional lifestyle vaccines include Botulism, and Strangles.

This is also a great time of year to make sure your horses teeth are in their best condition prior to the winter haul.

September and October are the months of Congress and Dressage Regionals. I have several patients and clients going to both.

If you have specific dates or times needed to work in your schedule. Please call to book now to obtain the best dates, and times.

Just a reminder, Preventative Medicine SAVES lives AND money. Illness is always more expensive to treat, and if we are vaccinating for it…. That means it is potentially fatal.

Please, just vaccinate your animals. Vaccines given by Veterinarians come with a Guarantee! It can save you thousands.

The face of a happily vaccinated with all the things, teeth floated twice a year, thriving at life 30 yr old.

Let us keep yours horses healthy!
(419)577-9060
[email protected]

08/24/2026

“The hold horses have over us is unexplainable, they are so much more than “just a horse,” and my feeble attempts to put thought into words leaves me frustrated” Sharon White

Happy Monday. Eventually, I ll get my act together and make some “veterinary posts.”

But for now, the perfect one.