Sawtooth Equine Service

06/20/2026

Performance Under Pressure: Coffin Joints

Every stride begins at the ground.

The coffin joint is responsible for absorbing tremendous forces while providing flexibility and shock absorption with every step your horse takes. Whether competing in the arena or working on the ranch, these joints experience repetitive loading every day.

Early signs of discomfort can be subtle:

• Shortened stride

• Reluctance to move forward

• Changes in landing pattern

• Difficulty performing collected work

• Reduced willingness to perform

Many factors can influence hoof and joint comfort, making it important to evaluate the entire horse rather than focusing on a single area.

A Performance Evaluation helps identify movement patterns and develop a plan that supports your horse's long-term soundness and success. Give us a call if you have concerns about your horse and would like to book a performance exam.

Because every great performance starts from the ground up.

06/19/2026

🇺🇸 Independence Day Holiday Hours 🇺🇸

Our offices will be closed July 3–5 in observance of Independence Day so our team can celebrate with family and friends.

Emergency veterinary services will remain available during this time. Please call our main clinic number to reach the on-call veterinarian if needed. 208-788-1465

We wish you and your horses a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend!

06/18/2026

Performance Under Pressure: Hocks

Few joints work harder than the hocks.

These powerful joints absorb concussion while providing the leverage and engagement needed for acceleration, collection, stopping, turning, and pushing forward.

Over time, repetitive athletic demands can place significant stress on the hocks, particularly in performance horses.

Watch for subtle changes such as:

• Loss of impulsion

• Difficulty engaging the hind end

• Resistance to collection

• Shortened stride

• Changes in attitude under saddle

Performance issues are often multifactorial, which is why a comprehensive evaluation is so important. Identifying the source of discomfort allows for thoughtful, individualized treatment recommendations tailored to your horse. If you have concerns about the performance of your horse, call us to book a performance exam.

Healthy movement begins with understanding how your horse moves.

06/16/2026

Performance Under Pressure: Stifles

The stifle is one of the largest and most complex joints in the horse's body, generating tremendous power while absorbing significant stress during athletic performance.

Whether your horse is sliding into a barrel turn, collecting for a dressage movement, or pushing off over a fence, the stifle plays a critical role in propulsion and stability.

Subtle signs of discomfort may include:

• Difficulty picking up or maintaining a lead

• Reduced impulsion from behind

• Resistance in transitions

• Shortened stride

• Inconsistent performance

Not every change in performance means a horse needs joint injections, but every change deserves attention. A thorough Performance Evaluation can help identify where your horse may be compensating and guide the most appropriate treatment plan. If you have concerns about the performance of your horse, give us a call at Sawtooth Equine and book a performance exam today!

Because great performance starts with understanding the whole horse

06/15/2026

For those planning on traveling: Texas and New Mexico are currently states with an established New World Screwworm (NWS) infested zone. Obtain accurate information directly from Idaho State Department of Agriculture OR your veterinarian. If you have any questions, please reach out to us at Sawtooth Equine. Let's keep our horses, livestock and companion animals safe! Read the full release from Idaho State Department of Agriculture below.

06/13/2026

Why Do Veterinarians Flex Joints?
One of the most common questions we hear during lameness exams is:
“What exactly is a flexion test?”
Flexion tests involve briefly stressing a joint or region of the limb before evaluating the horse’s movement. This can help identify areas that may be contributing to discomfort and provides additional information about where to focus our diagnostics.
Flexion tests are just one piece of the puzzle, but when combined with history, palpation, and movement evaluation, they help us build a more complete picture of your horse’s soundness.
Interested in having your horse looked at for a lameness issue? Call Sawtooth Equine to get on our schedule. If you live outside our mobile service area, we are happy to host you at our full-service clinic in Bellevue.

06/10/2026

We're excited to welcome Dr. Mike Howell to Sawtooth Equine June 17-19.

At Sawtooth, we believe great medicine is a team effort. Bringing together experienced veterinarians with different backgrounds and areas of expertise allows us to provide even more options for our clients and their horses.

So if you have that horse; the one with the performance issue, lingering lameness, or diagnosis that just hasn't come together, Dr. Howell is exactly the kind of veterinarian who enjoys a challenge.

Outside our mobile service area? We are accepting haul-in appointments at our fully equipped Bellevue treatment facility.

Appointments are limited. Give us a call to schedule!

Offering the highest quality veterinary services to the equine owner and patient.

06/09/2026

Some veterinarians enjoy routine cases. Dr. Mike Howell enjoys a good mystery.

With decades of experience in every aspect of equine medicine including building and managing an eight-doctor sport horse practice, Dr. Howell has developed a reputation for tackling the cases that leave everyone else saying,
"Hmmm..."
• The horse that's been off for months but no one can pinpoint why.
• The performance issue that just doesn't add up.
• The reproductive challenge that needs another set of experienced eyes.
• Those are the cases that spark his curiosity.
If you have that horse, the one that's been difficult to diagnose or simply hasn't responded as expected, this is your opportunity to get another experienced set of eyes on the case.
Dr. Howell will be at Sawtooth Equine June 17–19.
Not within our mobile service area? No problem! We are accepting haul-in appointments at our fully equipped treatment facility in Bellevue, allowing horse owners from surrounding communities to access advanced diagnostics and Dr. Howell's extensive expertise.
Sometimes all it takes is a fresh perspective. Sometimes it takes decades of experience.
Call Sawtooth Equine today to reserve your appointment. The trailer ride might just be the best investment you make for your horse.

06/08/2026

Sawtooth Morning staff meeting:

Dr. Roos: "What's our plan today?"

Emma: "We've got wellness exams, lameness evaluations, and vaccinations."

Toad: "I'd like to stop at every gas station and meet everyone we pass."

Toad's motion was unanimously approved. Our apologies if our appointments run behind today.

05/28/2026

How do you clean your feed and water buckets? Drop a comment below and share your summer sanitizing protocol!

When, why, and how often should you clean your horse's buckets and feeders? Click the link in the comments to find out. 👇