Summit Equine Hospital

06/13/2025

Healing with Horses-

🐴✨ Therapeutic Riding Thursday ✨🐴
At Horse and Buddy, every ride is a step toward confidence, connection, and pure joy!

Today, we’re celebrating the powerful bond between our amazing riders and their four-legged partners. Whether it’s a high-five after a great session or a quiet moment of peace in the saddle, these small victories mean the world.

👀 Did you know therapeutic riding can improve balance, coordination, and emotional well-being all while working on riding skills? For our riders, it's more than just a ride — it's a journey.

👇 Tell us in the comments: What’s your favorite thing about being around horses?

06/13/2025

With afternoon thunderstorms and the summer heat, these are some great tips for barn safety-

What measures have you taken to reduce fire risks in your barn? 🧯

According to the National Interagency Fire Center, in 2024 there were 64,897 wildfires reported, consuming 8,924,884 acres in the U.S. As we head into the hottest time of the year, make sure your farm has a fire prevention plan and an evacuation strategy in place to keep both equines and people safe.

Check out the graphic for ten fire prevention measures to get you started on the right track to a safer facility. This list is not meant to be exhaustive, and we invite you to contact your local fire department and your veterinarian for guidance on designing a prevention and response plan tailored to your specific situation.

Barn fires are the number one local emergency affecting agricultural facilities. They can cause horrific injuries and kill more equines than any other type of disaster, so being prepared is only in your best interest!

06/13/2025

Have you ever been told to not allow a hot, sweaty horse to drink cold water because it could lead to colic, founder or tie up?

This notion is actually a myth, and a dangerous one too, because it could lead to dehydration and very serious (and real) consequences. A sweaty, hardworking horse needs to be rehydrated without delay (i.e. don’t wait for the horse to cool down first).

The key, however, is to know how much water to allow at one time — because of the equine stomach’s relatively small capacity, offer small amounts of water every 20 minutes until the horse drinks his fill rather than letting the animal drink it all at once.

Remember that water is the most vital nutrient for a horse. A horse’s daily water requirements are influenced by many factors, but the average idle 1,100-pound horse in a cool environment will drink 6 to 10 gallons of water per day. That amount may easily double or triple in a hot environment! Therefore, it goes without saying that providing cool, clean water to your horses at all times is of paramount importance.

Source: Equus Magazine and AAEP member Dr. Anthony Blikslager. More information about offering a horse water can be found at https://equusmagazine.com/horse-care/offering-a-horse-water-after-exercise-8622

05/22/2025

Even Furbabies behave better for Grandma's! Cymro's "Grandma" is visiting from England and enjoyed a spa day with her favorite "grandchild", 🥰

05/20/2025

In observance of Memorial Day, our office will be closed on Monday the 26th and will reopen on Tuesday the 27th at 8am. If you have an equine emergency, please call our main number and follow the prompts.
We wish you a safe and Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

05/17/2025

Kiwi and Peaches visited patients and staff today at UNC Johnston Health Clayton.

05/08/2025

04/18/2025

Preparing for horse show season involves meticulous planning, training, and preparation of both the horse and the rider. This includes organizing your calendar, ensuring your horse is physically and mentally fit, practicing your courses or patterns, and having all necessary equipment and supplies ready.
Horse Preparation:
Start Training Early:
Begin training your horse well in advance of the show season to build fitness and confidence.
Conditioning and Fitness:
Ensure your horse is in peak physical condition with proper exercise, diet, and conditioning.
Grooming:
Regular grooming, including bathing, hoof care, and trimming, is essential for a clean and presentable appearance.
Tack:
Clean, polished, and properly fitted tack, including saddles, bridles, and stirrups, is crucial.
Health:
Consult with your veterinarian for necessary vaccinations, deworming, and health checks.
Mental Preparation:
Familiarize your horse with the show environment through schooling shows and gradual exposure to show routines.
Rider Preparation:
Practice:
Practice your show routine, courses, or patterns consistently to build confidence and fluency.
Learn the Rules:
Understand the specific rules and regulations of the shows you plan to attend.
Clothing:
Ensure your show attire, including coat, gloves, and boots, is clean, polished, and appropriate for your discipline.
Show Book:
Create a detailed show book with show schedules, lodging information, and any other necessary details.
Mental Preparation:
Develop a pre-show routine to help manage anxiety and focus on your goals.
Nutrition:
Plan your meals and snacks strategically to maintain energy and focus throughout the day.
Show Day:
Packing: Pack everything you need, including tack, grooming supplies, and personal items, the day before the show.
Travel: Plan your travel route and ensure your trailer is in good working order.
Arrival: Arrive at the showgrounds early to settle in and prepare your horse.
Turnout: Ensure your horse is presented at his best, with proper grooming and tack.
Show Routine: Follow your pre-show routine and focus on the tasks at hand.
Stay Positive: Maintain a positive attitude and focus on achieving your goals, regardless of the outcome.

04/18/2025

If you believe that horses need grain in their diet to meet their nutritional needs, you are not alone. However, horses should get most of their nutrients from a good quality forage source such as grass, hay, hay pellets, or a complete feed.

Horses generally eat between 1.5-2% of their body weight each day, so an average size 1,000 lbs horse should eat 15- 20 lbs of hay daily. To help fill any nutrient gaps such as essential vitamins or minerals, a ration balancer may be beneficial. Depending on breed, body condition, and exercise level, concentrates may be added in to provide additional energy but are often not needed.

When deciding on what to feed your horse, it is best to invest in high quality forages as the foundation of your feeding plan. You can even have your hay tested to see exactly what nutrients it is providing.

Please consult with your veterinarian or an equine nutritionist about your horse's diet before making any major changes, and remember that any changes should be made gradually over time to avoid GI upset.

Thank you to the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee for providing this information.

04/10/2025

Dr Maxwell providing equine education at Friendship High School's Animal Science Class yesterday.

04/10/2025

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.

03/15/2025

Happy St Patrick Day from this little Herd!
Stampede of Love