Equine Performance Innovative Center: EPIC

Call Directions Website Contact the business

Equine Performance Innovative Center: EPIC Premier conditioning and rehabilitation center in the Ocala area. An expert team and variety of high-quality services to care for your equine.
(1)

An elite horse deserves elite care. At Equine Performance Innovative Center (EPIC), we provide nothing less than the best with every horse that trots through our stable doors. Founded by our head vet, Dr. Alberto, our comprehensive conditioning and rehabilitation services are the best available in the heart of horse country. Our staff has decades of experience with equines and an unparalleled passion for care and performance. Whether you need to get your horse in shape for competition or they’re coming back from an injury and need some time in our hyperbaric chamber, we’re always here to help.

10/17/2026

For horses recovering from certain tendon, ligament, or joint injuries, this creates an opportunity to maintain fitness when regular exercise may place excessive stress on healing structures.

However, swimming is not appropriate for every injury. It does not reproduce normal weight-bearing movement, making it important to combine aquatic conditioning with a structured rehabilitation program.

The goal is to maintain fitness during recovery while preparing the horse for a safe return to its normal workload.

10/16/2026

Not all skin tumors in horses require surgical removal, but identifying the type of tumor is essential before choosing a treatment.

Some tumors can be treated locally, with the goal of destroying abnormal tissue while preserving as much healthy surrounding skin as possible. Treatment may require multiple applications, and the response must be monitored carefully.

Tumor type, location, size, and involvement of surrounding tissue all influence the treatment plan. Even when a tumor appears to have disappeared, continued monitoring is important because some skin tumors can recur.

10/15/2026

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) occurs when cartilage and underlying bone fail to develop normally, potentially leaving fragments within the joint. These fragments can contribute to inflammation and progressive cartilage damage.

Surgical removal may be recommended depending on the fragment's location, associated joint changes, and the horse's clinical signs.

Early identification and appropriate treatment can help limit ongoing joint irritation. However, long-term prognosis depends on the condition of the surrounding cartilage, not simply the successful removal of the fragment.

10/14/2026

Tendon and ligament injuries require ongoing evaluation because healing does not follow the same timeline for every horse.

Shockwave therapy may be incorporated throughout rehabilitation to stimulate biological activity and support tissue repair. Rather than relying solely on a predetermined number of sessions, treatment decisions should consider the horse's clinical response and evidence of healing.

Ultrasound allows us to monitor changes in fiber alignment, lesion size, and tissue structure as recovery progresses.

Combining these findings with regenerative therapies and a controlled rehabilitation program helps determine when to continue treatment, make adjustments, or safely increase the horse's workload.

10/13/2026

When a mass develops along the abdomen, one of the primary concerns is whether it is confined to superficial tissue or extends into the underlying body wall.

That distinction can significantly affect surgical planning, the extent of tissue removal, and the horse's recovery.

Early evaluation of an enlarging mass allows us to assess the structures involved and determine the appropriate treatment before the condition becomes more complicated.

10/12/2026

The size of a leg wound doesn’t always reflect the severity of the injury underneath.

Tendons, ligaments, and joints lie close to the skin, meaning even a small laceration can threaten a horse’s long-term soundness.

Injuries involving deeper structures can lead to infection, scar tissue, and restricted movement.

For a young performance horse, proper wound management is about more than healing the skin. It’s about protecting its future athletic ability.

10/12/2026

Reliable intravenous access is an essential part of preparing a horse for surgery.

The jugular vein provides access for administering anesthetic medications, intravenous fluids, and emergency medications when needed.

Proper catheter placement and management are particularly important in horses because complications such as thrombophlebitis can compromise the jugular vein and complicate recovery.

Careful preparation, sterile technique, and continued monitoring help maintain safe vascular access throughout anesthesia and postoperative care.

10/11/2026

Kissing spine can be an overlooked cause of back pain and poor performance in horses.

When the spaces between the dorsal spinous processes become narrowed, the bones may come into contact, potentially causing pain and inflammation.

However, radiographic findings alone do not determine the severity of the condition. Some horses have significant changes without clinical signs, while others experience considerable discomfort.

A thorough examination is essential to determine whether the radiographic changes are responsible for the horse's back pain and to develop an appropriate treatment and rehabilitation plan.

10/10/2026

Laminitis is a medical emergency, and recognizing the early signs can significantly affect the outcome.

Inflammation and damage to the lamellar structures weaken the connection between the hoof wall and the coffin bone. As the condition progresses, the coffin bone can rotate or sink within the hoof, potentially causing permanent damage.

Early intervention is critical. Radiographs help evaluate the position of the coffin bone, while medical management and appropriate hoof support aim to reduce further damage.

If you notice sudden changes in your horse's movement, reluctance to turn, or unusual weight shifting, contact your veterinarian immediately. Do not wait for severe lameness to develop.

10/09/2026

A horse can look completely sound and still not be ready to return to work.

Pain often improves before injured tendons, ligaments, or other structures regain the strength needed to withstand regular exercise. Increasing activity too soon can compromise healing and increase the risk of reinjury.

That is why rehabilitation requires ongoing evaluation. Changes in movement, tissue healing, strength, and response to exercise help determine when a horse is ready to progress.

We’re pleased to introduce Dani, our new Rehabilitation Facility Manager, who will help oversee each horse’s daily progress and ensure rehabilitation plans are followed closely.

Because returning to work is important, but returning safely is what matters.

Address

5590 NW Highway 225
Ocala, FL
34482

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm
Saturday 8am - 12pm

Telephone

+13523095154

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Equine Performance Innovative Center: EPIC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Equine Performance Innovative Center: EPIC:

Shortcuts

Share

Category