Carmen Franck Flippin, DVM

07/31/2026

Attention all itchy and back sore horses! There are 2 USEF rule changes!

1) Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is now an approved substance! No more itchy ponies at shows!

2) There are now two different recommended withdrawal times for methocarbamol. If it is the only drug being given they are recommending 12 hours before but if another drug is also being used Methocarbamol processing may be delayed and so a withdrawal time of 24 hours is recommended.

Happy showing!

https://www.usef.org/media/press-releases/us-equestrian-releases-new-guidance-for?fbclid=IwdGRjcATZg7FjbGNrBNmDS2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHv57n1lHDrqRA-oK1-v2M4vjUML2bFaRa0GubKZdB1D2hDF3rTw-TOAtjGhL_aem_Bvg2blGdnBMRXwVu6Zs6dQ

Effective immediately, cetirizine will become a permitted substance in USEF-licensed competition

07/12/2026

My parents have been my rocks and my inspiration not only my whole career, but my whole life. I grew up in a vet truck, I don't know any other way. And after 102 collective years of veterinary medicine of working together, they retired together last week. I could not be happier for them and even though they SHOULD be getting a retirement present, they are instead giving it to me. Tex has one more day on the road at 817,480 miles before he retires to farm life and in about a week I will take over the wheel in my mom's vet truck 💙 Emory suggested June should name it and since she has a love of dinosaurs and with a little nostalgia to Tex, meet T-Rex 🦖

Thanks mom and dad 💙 I love you!

07/06/2026

It's that time of year! A week dedicated to the farriers that help maintain soundness and prevent lameness in your horses every single day! I have been shoeing my own horses for 24 years now and can honestly say I couldn't, and wouldn't, be able to be a farrier for a living. It is a brutal job that also requires an art and knowledge on how to use and apply that art. And, 90% of lamenesses are in the foot, if your horse is sound, definitely thank your farrier!

Some things I strongly recommend to keep your farrier happy and best able to do their job:
1) Have a clean flat surface for them to work. Their boxes do not roll well on gravel or dirt, a few mats go a long way! This does not have to be in a fancy barn, it can be under a shade tree, in a run in or garage! An extension cord or power source, broom, fan and bucket of water are also helpful!
2) Have your horse clean and dry! Holding a wet or muddy leg in farrier position is no fun and "sticks with them" the rest of the day!
3) Have a horse thats fidgety or bad for the farrier? Contact me for sedation or work them before the farrier arrives so they are more willing to stand. It is very hard to do a good precise job on a moving (or dangerous) target!
4) Finally, show them you appreciate them! Farriery is not just a job, it is an art! Send them a picture after a win, have a cold water on a hot day or just say thank you!

05/08/2026

We are excited to be able to add gastroscopy to our list of services! First case completed this morning!

A study presented at NAEP in 2023 showed that it's not just racing thoroughbreds that have ulcers, 50 to 90% of even moderately ridden pleasure horses have ulcers! 50% that are grade 2 or greater, 90% if all grade 1 (very mild) are included.

04/04/2026

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.