Countryside Large Animal Veterinary Services

05/27/2026

F***l Friday is May 29th this month. Bring in your animal f***l samples to test for parasites. Spring is a great time to evict the worms!

05/21/2026

See you on Tuesday!

05/08/2026

05/04/2026

Update: Thank you all for your shares! I think we are all set for right now. I will update again if that changes.

Hello Countryside Family! We are in need of a nurse mare currently in milk and a good mom. Please let us know if you know of anyone.

05/04/2026

Will you be traveling to Canada this summer? Plan ahead!!!

04/30/2026

Here is a little nostalgia post for you. Who remembers when the Countryside Large Animal Vet building was being erected? See the article written in 2003. A reminder of fond memories and dreams realized.

It may not be on the scale of North Colorado Medical Center’s surgery theater.But in the large-animal world, it’s pretty impressive.Countryside Large Animal Veterinary Service has moved to 3765 O St.Owned by Drs. Wade Shoemaker…

04/28/2026

Look out for those purple flowers. Enjoy the nice Spring weather on your walk through the pastures.

Spring is here… and so is one of the more dangerous plants in our pastures. 🌱🐴

As everything starts greening up, it’s important for horse and livestock owners to keep an eye out for locoweed. While it may not look like much, this plant can be highly toxic and can cause serious neurological issues, weight loss, and long-term damage if consumed. Even more concerning—once animals develop a taste for it, they may continue to seek it out.

Early growth is when it’s easiest to spot and manage, so now is the time to walk your pastures, identify problem areas, and remove it where possible. Prevention is key.

If you’re not sure what to look for or want to learn more about the risks and symptoms, we’ve put together a full breakdown here:
https://coloradohorseforum.com/locoweed-and-horses-a-toxic-combo/

Stay ahead of it now so you don’t have to deal with it later.

04/28/2026

What is the most important part of a horse's diet?

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.

04/20/2026

We had a beautiful day for Client Appreciation Day and Equine Vaccine Clinic. Thank you to all who came to visit!

04/18/2026

Long ears are here!! Client appreciation day and equine vaccine clinic is rolling!! Lunch will be here a little after 11. ❤️ #ᴠᴀᴄᴄɪɴᴇᴅᴀʏ💉