Southern Equine Service

05/25/2026

05/21/2026

🇺🇸 Memorial Day Office Update 🇺🇸

Southern Equine Service will be closed for regular appointments on Monday in observance of Memorial Day. Our doctors will be available for emergencies only.

💊 Please note: our pharmacy will also be closed on Monday. If your horse needs medications, refills, or supplies, please place requests by early Friday to ensure pickup before 5:00 PM.

🩺 For emergency cases, especially those located farther away, please remember horses may need to be hauled into the clinic. We also maintain a list of local haulers available if assistance is needed.

📞 803-644-1544

As we honor and remember those who have served and sacrificed, we wish everyone a safe Memorial Day weekend. ❤️🐴

05/12/2026

WHAT IS CELLULITIS? 🔎

Cellulitis is a common condition in horses where there is infection/inflammation in the tissues of the limb, most often the distal limb.

WHAT MIGHT YOU NOTICE?
Owners often first notice a leg that suddenly looks and feels “not right.” While the exact signs can vary case to case, rapid-onset limb swelling is a classic sign. Fever is also a sign to watch for with cellulitis. If your horse's temperature is elevated, contact your vet.

DIAGNOSIS:
Because a swollen, painful leg can have different causes, your veterinarian may use a combination of:
• Physical exam and patient history
• Imaging, including ultrasound, to help assess what’s happening in the tissues and whether there are complicating factors.

HOW IS IT TREATED?
There is limited scientific evidence that definitively tells us the single “best” treatment plan for every horse, and more research is needed (especially to support responsible antibiotic use). Your vet may tailor the plan to your horse’s severity, comfort, and response to therapy.

QUICK ACTION MATTERS:
• Cellulitis can be more than “just swelling.” It can become serious, and in rare severe scenarios, cellulitis/lymphangitis has been reported to progress to distal limb ischemia (loss of blood supply) with catastrophic tissue damage.
• Cellulitis can also lead to a condition called lymphangitis where the lymphatic system is affected, so resolution becomes more difficult. Multiple episodes of cellulitis/lymphangitis in the same leg can cause scarring, which makes recurrence more likely and recovery more difficult.

⚠️Cellulitis needs individualized diagnosis and treatment:
• Call your veterinarian promptly if your horse develops sudden, significant lower-leg swelling, heat, pain, or lameness.
• Don’t self-treat with leftover antibiotics. The evidence base is limited, and appropriate antibiotic choices/duration matter for both patient outcomes and antimicrobial stewardship.

04/08/2026

We are looking for help managing our barns! Please come by the main clinic to apply

04/06/2026

Spring has sprung, which means foaling season is in full swing! Here is some great information about mare wax and foaling from our friends at Idaho Equine Hospital:

"🐴 Mares Wax: A Key Sign Foaling is Near

If you’re monitoring a pregnant mare, one of the most talked-about signs of impending foaling is “waxing.” But what does it actually mean?

Mares wax when small, bead-like droplets of colostrum (first milk) appear on the ends of the teats. This happens as the udder fills and the body prepares for birth.

✨What to know:
- Waxing usually occurs 12–48 hours before foaling, though timing can vary.
- Not all mares will wax—so don’t rely on this sign alone.
- The presence of wax indicates that colostrum production is underway, which is essential for the foal’s immune protection.

⚠️ Important tips:
- Once waxing appears, increase monitoring—foaling could happen at any time.
- If the mare drips significant milk before foaling, consult your vet. This can mean loss of valuable colostrum.
- Combine waxing with other signs like relaxation of the tail head, softening of the muscles, and behavioral changes.

Being attentive during these final stages helps ensure a safe delivery and a healthy foal.

We would love to see pictures of your mares that are due or even foals that have already hit the ground! Happy Foaling Season!"

04/05/2026

🌷🐣 Happy Easter from Southern Equine Service 🐴🌿

Wishing you and your horses a safe, healthy, and happy holiday. Spring is a time of renewal, and we’re grateful to be part of your horses’ care through every season.

If you have any concerns over the holiday, don’t hesitate to reach out—our team is always here for you.

📞 803-644-1544

04/04/2026

🌟🌟 Congratulations to vet assistant Abby Parker for being the 1st recipient of our Employee Recognition Award 🌟🌟

Thank you for all that you do Abby!

04/02/2026

DO YOU KNOW WHAT CAUSES GRASS FOUNDER?

Spring is a wonderful time of the year, but it may be the beginning of some serious problems for horses vulnerable to grass founder — like horses that are over the age of 10, easy keepers, overweight or cresty-necked.

Laminitis or founder, as it is commonly called, is inflammation of the laminae of the horse’s foot. Laminae are the delicate, accordion-like tissues that attach the inner surface of the hoof wall to the coffin bone (the bone in the foot). A horse suffering from laminitis experiences a decrease in blood flow to the laminae, which in turn begin to die and separate. The final result is hoof wall separation, rotation of the coffin bone and extreme pain. In severe cases, the coffin bone will actually rotate through the sole of the horse’s hoof where it becomes infected and can ultimately lead to the horse having to be euthanized.

Laminitis can be triggered by different causes, like repeated concussion on hard ground (road founder), grain overload, retained placenta, hormonal imbalance (Cushing’s syndrome), obesity, and lush grass.

In cases of grass founder, the sugar fructans produced by rapidly growing grass stimulates an overgrowth of bacteria in the horse’s large intestine. The bacteria produce and release toxins (endotoxins) that are carried by the bloodstream to the foot where they cause damage to the laminae and small blood vessels.

The best way to deal with laminitis is preventing and managing the causes under your control. Consult your equine practitioner for further information and to formulate a plan tailored to your horse's individual situation. If you suspect laminitis, consider it a medical emergency and notify your veterinarian immediately.

03/23/2026

📢 WE’RE HIRING! 🐴
Billing Assistant | Aiken, SC

Love numbers, organization, and a fast-paced team? Join us at Southern Equine Service!

We’re looking for a dependable, detail-oriented Billing Assistant to support the financial side of our equine veterinary practice.

✨ What you’ll do:
• Process invoices & payments
• Keep accounts accurate and organized
• Follow up on outstanding balances
• Assist with daily financial tasks
• Communicate with clients about billing

✔️ You’re a great fit if you:
• Have strong attention to detail
• Are organized & reliable
• Are comfortable with computers/billing software
• Communicate clearly and professionally
• Have the ability to work both independently and as part of a team

➕ Bonus points:
Vet/medical office or billing experience

💼 Full-time (flexible)
📍 Aiken, SC

📩 Apply:
Email Pam Cox at
[email protected]

🐎 Be part of a team that cares about horses and the people who love them.

03/17/2026

🍀 This festive friend is feeling extra lucky today 🐎

From all of us at Southern Equine Service, we wish you a Happy St. Patrick’s Day filled with healthy horses.💚