High Water Veterinary Services

10/12/2026

One of the most common things I hear while performing Lameness exams is a “chiropractor” diagnosed something as “Out.”

You will always see me cringe.

Chiropractic or Spinal Manipulation does not correct “out.” It corrects a restriction within normal range of motion. Whether do to muscling, poor movement or soreness, the full range of motion has been impaired. A High Velocity Low Amplitude adjustment is made to restore the range of motion. This correction helps with nerve impingements, muscling changes and over all discomfort.

“Out” refers to a Dislocation of a joint. Meaning the joint or the components of the joint have move outside the joint capsule. These are immensely painful, and the initial dislocation. Overtime, if not addressed these animals will figure out a way to move around, even if they are not capable of bearing weight on the limb. (I worked with a dislocated shoulder slipping in and out for months. So I have some personal experience here.)

Dislocations almost always require heavy sedation, possibly anesthesia and almost always a form of surgery to replace, change and repair the joint. Other wise, Euthanasia is often the other recommendation.

If you are using someone who adjusts, and they tell you something is “out.” Please reconsider using them.

Or quickly call your veterinarian.

Just a few examples of “out.”

Dr. Meer

10/11/2026

I was once told by a boss very early in my career, “You are a good doctor, but your personality will ruin your career.”

It took me a long time to let that voice stop renting space in my head. It almost ended my entire young career.

I made sure he was never so incredibly wrong about a veterinarian as he was about me.

And oh yea, F**k that guy. He is a complete as***le.

And we don’t allow as***les here.

💙💚Be Brave my young colleagues. You have allies all around you. 💚💙

10/10/2026

I have a major problem with needing to always have a Hustle. Maybe it’s my childhood, or being a millennial veterinarian. Maybe it’s because a lot of us are barely getting by, despite the public opinion that we are all rich and “in it for the money.”

But my clients and their animals benefit from my inability to rest.

Close to 30 cats to alter today.

Medical notes are on the schedule for tomorrow. You know…. because that’s an “off day.” (Yes, I am a bit spicy 🌶️ this morning.)

Dr. Meer

10/09/2026

The month of October is “Congress Season”’in Ohio.

We have well over 30 horses attending and multiple trainers in multiple disciplines.

One of my joys of practice is the versatility of what I do. English, western and all those In between. We are not limited to one thing, and neither are the horses.

Great Rides. Safe Travels. To all those showing and attending!

Back on the farms.

10/08/2026

After my insomnia hit some new ground, Invoices for the last two weeks are sent out. Yes, the time stamp is from myself personally at the wee hours of the morning.

I am still working on medical notes….

If you haven’t received your invoice please let us know.

Our practice software changed how Labwork is documented. Those should also all be updated and Kim will be sending those notes out today.

Back out on the farms today. Here are some pictures of cases from the last few weeks.

Please let us know how we can help your animals!

(419)577-9060
[email protected]

10/07/2026

Often, Wednesday’s are referred to as “my off day.”

In all honestly, I am not sure exactly how that commented started…. Considering a -on call every day of every week for every hour- is there really a moment off?

Wednesdays are attempts to catch up. 10 days of paperwork with over 70 invoices to double check. The corresponding medical records edited and proofread to defend my actions if ever sued or subpoenaed into court. Written so clients, trainers and other veterinarians know exactly my words, and actions. They are in depth. They are long and they are detailed.

A day used to squeeze in urgent appointments, or others which need some grace and time.

I often hope to see my own horses, without a rush or time schedule. Perhaps get a longer, hot shower with a wh***ey 🥃 in the ledge to change my nervous system to parasympathetic instead of the always moving, always thinking always on edge. Maybe have a conversation with my husband more than where I am, what he is making for dinner or that I am just too tired and going to bed.

In the last 3 days I have heard a variation of “must be nice to have Wednesday off.” It’s a bit defeating.

Respectfully…. What is off? This veterinarian has no idea what that actually looks like.

This Wednesday, I will be helping a client process the difficult act of saying Goodbye with Grace. Which means I will be out of contact during that time. Respectfully, sending a cherished soul to whatever is beyond means my phones stay in the car. They deserve my full attention. Kim will have the phone.

Then I will be addressing the long list of administrative work I have frankly not had the time to do after working 12-14 hour days for the last 10+ days.

I don’t calculate my hours. I truly do not want to know how little I actually get paid.

As always, Please be kind.

Dr. Meer

**as a side note. Thank you to the clients who greet Charlie and me with a coffee, energy drinks and snacks. Especially in seasons when things are exhausting and hard these small acts of kindness keep my feet moving and my heart joyous. I will be hugging you. Because I am a hugger. Small acts of simple kindness goes a long way.***

10/06/2026

Please know, and understand the legal laws of the state you live in.

It does matter. For your own protection, and your horses.

WHO IS REALLY WORKING ON YOUR HORSE?
In Ohio, some of these lines are more black-and-white than many horse owners realize.
Ohio law defines the practice of veterinary medicine to include diagnosing or treating an animal’s dental or physical condition and prescribing, applying, or dispensing drugs or anesthetics.
A registered veterinary technician may perform specific equine dental procedures—including floating teeth, removing deciduous teeth, and extracting wolf teeth—but Ohio requires DIRECT VETERINARY SUPERVISION.
Ohio defines direct veterinary supervision as the veterinarian being “in the immediate area and within audible range, visual range, or both.”
That does NOT mean the veterinarian prescribed the sedative and left, is available by phone, knows the person is working on the horse, or happens to be somewhere else in town.
An owner administering medication prescribed for their own horse is a different legal situation from an independent lay provider administering drugs as part of a paid service.
Training at an equine dentistry school, association membership, or a private certification may document education. It does not, by itself, create legal authority to practice independently in Ohio.
The same distinction matters with “animal chiropractic.”
Ohio has a specific legal pathway for an Ohio-licensed human chiropractor who also holds an approved animal-chiropractic certification and registers with the Ohio State Chiropractic Board to practice as an animal chiropractic practitioner.
Veterinarians operate under the veterinary practice act instead. A veterinarian may perform spinal and joint manipulation as part of veterinary medicine, but that does not make the veterinarian a human chiropractor or require the veterinarian to hold themselves out as an “animal chiropractor.”
A certification course alone does not turn a farrier, trainer, massage therapist, or other layperson into an animal chiropractic practitioner.
Before anyone uses dental equipment, takes diagnostic X-rays, administers sedation, extracts a tooth, or manipulates your horse’s spine, ASK:
What is your actual professional license or registration?
Can I verify it through the State of Ohio?
If you are not a veterinarian, who is supervising you—and are they physically present when the law requires direct supervision?
Who is administering the sedation, and under whose professional authority?
Do you carry professional liability insurance that specifically covers the procedure you are performing?
And that last question matters more than many owners realize.
If something goes wrong—your horse suffers a fractured jaw, neurologic injury, serious adverse drug reaction, requires emergency surgery, or dies—who pays?
A licensed professional generally has a regulatory board, professional standards, medical records, and professional liability coverage behind the work they perform.
An independent lay provider may or may not have comparable coverage.
If they do not, obtaining a judgment and actually collecting enough money to pay a five-figure referral bill—or compensate you for the loss of your horse—can be two very different things.
The time to find out whether someone is properly licensed, operating legally, and adequately insured is before something goes wrong.
Credentials matter. Scope of practice matters. Supervision matters. Insurance matters.
“Everybody at my barn uses them” is not a credential.
So who really is working on your horse—and is what they’re doing legal?
Ohio references:
ORC 4741.01 — Definitions / practice of veterinary medicine / direct veterinary supervision
ORC 4741.19 — Veterinary technicians and equine dental procedures
ORC 4741.20 — Exceptions
ORC 4734.151 — Animal chiropractic
OAC 4741-1-05 — Prescribing, administering and dispensing drugs
This post is intended for owner education and is not legal advice. Laws and regulations can change; current requirements can be verified through the appropriate Ohio licensing board.

10/06/2026

Congratulations to my clients and friends on your successful Regional Championships! 💙💚

10/05/2026

When becoming a veterinarian, it was always important to remember, even in medicine, my horsemanship came first. This lead me on a path of expanding not only my western medicine, but eastern medicine as well. Understanding the anatomy, nerves and fascial planes and advocating while listening to the horses. Many whisper while others scream.

This expands conversations with clients but also other professionals.

This past weekend, I attended a clinic because Yogi Sharp, The Equine Documentalist, was coming. I have followed Yogi for several years, watched his videos,learning more about how to not only manage feet but talk to my Farrier Colleagues. I use his Hoof App several times a week. The clinic was joined with Celeste Lazaris who has pioneered The Balance Through Movement Method. I knew nothing about her prior to the clinic.

Before moving on, I must say, Veterinary Medicine is often hard. When attending clinics or workshops not immersed in veterinarians… I am often anything but. I keep quieter. I listen more, and I sometimes claim to be a bank teller by day and a st****er by night. Call it imposter syndrome. Or knowing that often, in the world of osteopaths, body workers, lay floaters, farriers, trainer or any other professionals… we as a whole are not liked.

We are also cannibals. Devouring each other with no remorse or care or how it affects the humans behind the letters. To say it is a hard world to navigate is an understatement.

My dearest friend with magical hands quickly, and sharply removed my quiet cover. Imposter syndrome on full display.

At the end of the weekend, when standing in the shower, my head spun trying to process the increased knowledge with perhaps a small glimpse of hope. We all want the same thing.

We all love the horses.

My asterisked Notes are as follows;

*Do not trim or shoe for how it looks. Trim and shoe for how it loads
*Too much moisture in the foot makes it loose 90% of its elastic properties. They are not made to be soaking wet.
*The dorsal wall has more flexion than the quarters.
*Removing the toe is often not the answer. Supporting the caudal aspect of the foot is. Put on the bigger shoe, and support the whole caudal structure.
*Wrye feet are not the same as a flared feet.
*Conformational swing can not be affected by a farrier, but it can be by posture.
*Every 1 degree negative is 4 degrees of excess force on the DDFT (NPA)
*BTMM changes the order of “correct schooling.” Reversing the German pattern.
*The horses must feel safe.
*A horse’s muscling tells you more if you watch and listen. Posture matters.
*Stop being in a rush. Development takes time.

Perhaps the most validating for me

🌶️The Sympathetic nervous system causes postural changes and concerns leading to TMJ/teeth issues, poor hoof balance and riding concerns. 🌶️

🌶️You must be advocating for the WHOLE horse. Both environmentally, emotionally and physically.🌶️ Be willing to have hard conversations with other professionals. And owners🌶️

🌶️Be aggressive in your management of the feet. Aggressive changes increase comfort. This then corrects the pain driven posture. Be aggressive in shoeing cycles, do not allow the foot to go back to negative. 3 week cycles are often needed. 🌶️

Be willing to have a target 🎯 on your back.

Be a horseman first.

Be willing to hear others and think outside of the box. There are always more than one correct answer. Not every path is the same.

Be fierce with your convictions but kind in your delivery.

And let the horses speak for your methods.

My candle is burnt at both ends. I am exhausted but full of hope and conversation. With a bit of my head still spinning. Bonus I spent the weekend with 2 of my cherished friends and colleagues. 💚💙

Dr. Meer

10/03/2026

I am back at Creekside Eventing Complex this morning for another day of learning!

I have the phones, but they will be silenced. I will be keeping an eye on them while in lectures and demos.

Dr. Meer