Southside Equine Services

05/02/2026

Who is your pick for the Kentucky Derby today? My personal favorite is famous, but not built for speed: Harley the sugarbush draft! However if I had to pick an actual contender, I'm rooting for Albus, but Incredibolt has a great name. Comment your pick below and post pictures of your derby hats! The hat with the most likes by Tues at 8am wins a free in-house f***l for your horse

04/17/2026

01/25/2026

Due to the dangerous road conditions, we will be operating appointments on an emergency-only basis on Monday Jan 26. We will be available by phone during our regular business hours 8:30am to 5:30pm to schedule appointments or call in refills etc. We will continue to monitor weather conditions and keep you posted about appointments later in the week. Stay warm and stay safe

01/20/2026

As many of you have likely seen, we are forecasted to receive a significant amount of snow this weekend. While the storm is still a few days out, freezing temperatures mean any precipitation—snow or ice—could create hazardous conditions. Now is the time to prepare. Here are a few tips to help keep your horses safe and comfortable:
Fresh, accessible water
Ensure horses always have access to fresh water by using trough or bucket heaters, or by breaking ice multiple times a day. If using heaters, confirm they are properly grounded and not causing any electrical shocks. To encourage drinking, you may offer flavored water (alfalfa, molasses, electrolytes, etc.), but plain water should always be available as well. Adding water to feed and providing 1–2 tablespoons of salt (or pre-made electrolytes) can also help increase water intake.
Adequate hay and feed
Make sure horses have consistent access to hay or forage. Digesting hay helps keep them warm, and horses often eat more during cold weather.
Shelter and blanketing
Horses should have access to shelter to escape wind and harsh weather. Blankets may be used when appropriate; just be sure horses are dry underneath, change wet blankets promptly, and remove blankets daily to check for rubs.
Check fences and surroundings
Heavy snow and ice can bring down trees and damage fences, creating safety hazards. Regularly inspect fencing and remove heavy snow or ice buildup from fences and shelters when possible.
Plan ahead
Ensure you have sufficient supplies—hay, feed, water—for horses, pets, and people before the storm arrives. Avoid traveling during snow or ice if you can.
Stay safe, stay warm, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns! ❄️🐴

01/12/2026

It's that time of year again when Dr Rossner goes to observe the newest and best techniques on taking care of our equine friends. She will be out of the office from January 16th to the 25th and will return to work on January 26th. The office will be open for medication refills and making appointments, however, please bear in mind, I will have limited access to Dr Rossner while she is in the seminars so response times may be longer. Please remember to keep the referral hospitals phone numbers handy and the list of haulers that are available for transport if your horse needs medical attention. We are excited to see what new products and developments are in store this year!

12/30/2025

Well, we are a little biased - we think every year is the year of the horse!

HOLIDAY CLOSING
Southside Equine will be closed Wednesday, December 31st, and Thursday, January 1st for the New Year Holiday. Normal hours will resume on Friday, January 2nd. Cheers to the new year and wishing everyone peace, health, and happiness in 2026.

12/22/2025

Holiday Closing:
Southside Equine Services will be closing at noon on Wednesday, December 24th, and will be closed Thursday December 25th and Friday December 26th. We would like to wish everyone a very happy and safe holiday and hope everyone is on the nice list this year!

12/08/2025

❄️ Winter Weather Safety for Your Horses ❄️
As the snow starts to fall, it’s important to make sure your horses stay safe, warm, and healthy through the storm.

Here are a few key tips to keep in mind:
🐴 Shelter: Provide access to a run-in shed or barn to protect them from wind, sleet, and heavy snow.
💧 Water: Make sure water sources stay unfrozen—hydration is crucial in cold weather. Heated buckets or tank heaters can help, but make sure they are working functionally before use.
🧂 Salt & Hydration Boost: Cold weather can reduce your horse’s urge to drink. Adding loose salt at 1-2 tablespoons per day (or the premade electrolyte mix of your choice) to feed or offering a separate pan of loose salt encourages better hydration. You can also add extra water to grain or soaked feeds to increase daily water intake and help prevent impaction colic.
🌾 Forage: Horses stay warm from the inside out. Offering plenty of hay helps keep their digestive system—and body temperature—steady.
🐾 Footing: Keep pathways and heavily trafficked areas cleared to prevent slipping or ice buildup.
🧥 Blankets: Not all horses need one, but if yours is clipped, elderly, or struggles to maintain weight, a well-fitted waterproof blanket can make a big difference. Change out wet blankets for dry ones regularly and blankets should ALWAYS be removed daily to check for any rubs.
🚧 Fences: Heavy snow, fallen branches, and snow drifts can damage or hide fence lines. Walk your pastures regularly to check for downed boards, loose wire, or hidden weak spots to prevent escapes or injuries.

If you have questions about winter care or notice your horse behaving differently during cold snaps, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help your equine partners stay healthy all season long! ❄️💙

11/29/2025

For those who may not know, Elmer Glick, the farrier, is still hospitalized. In the meantime, local farriers are coming together to make sure his clients and their horses are taken care of.

If Elmer is your farrier and you currently need farrier services, please reach out to Matt Grimm (Rafter MG Shoeing) or Tim Meadows to get set up with one of the local farriers.

It’s truly heartwarming to see our community step up in support. Please keep Elmer in your thoughts, and don’t forget to send Cindy all your love. ❤️

UPDATE:

Elmer has gone to be with the Lord and is healthy and watching over Cindy now. Cindy has returned to work and is taking one day at a time! She is happy to be back with her grooming family!! I know a lot of her clients have asked about her and have sent many prayers! She appreciates each and everyone of you !

Hello everyone, we have some difficult news to share: over the weekend, Cindy's lifelong partner, Elmer, suffered a stroke. Upon admission to the hospital, multiple blood clots were discovered in his brain, leading to his transfer to Roanoke Hospital, where he experienced two additional strokes and underwent two surgeries. Elmer is currently on a ventilator and has been unconscious since Saturday. Cindy will be out until further notice, with that being said, we are collecting donations here at Steph's, with all proceeds from nail trims going directly to support them. Anything can help & will be greatly appreciated.

Our address is: 27 Green Hill Drive, Forest VA, 24551

11/27/2025

In case you haven't seen it yet, here is the link to Tues' webinar presented by the EDCC and leading veterinary infectious disease experts on the current EHV outbreak. It includes information about the outbreak and lots of great information on EHV.

This is the recording of a webinar held November 25, 2025. Please note that the current EHV-1 situation is changing rapidly. To get the most updated informat...

11/24/2025

Holiday Closing! Southside Equine Services will be closed Thursday, November 27th, and Friday, November 28th for the Thanksgiving Holiday. We are so very thankful for our clients and wish you all a happy and safe holiday!