West Metro Equine Practice, Veterinary Medical Center

06/05/2026

New World Screwworm has been identified in the US after a calf in Texas was found to be positive. This can affect other animals such as horses, dogs, and others. Please use these links to find up to date and fact-based information about the current situation in Texas.

Please reference the following resources for additional information regarding New World Screwworm (NWS):

1. Equine Disease Communication Center Factsheet: https://equinediseasecc.org/handler/managedfilehandler.ashx?id=103&ext=pdf

2. USDA Map of Current Outbreak: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animals/animal-health/livestock-and-poultry-disease/current-status?page=1

3. USDA Myth Buster Sheet:https://www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/nws-myth-busters.pdf

4. USDA New World Screwworm Webinar for Animal Industry: https://youtu.be/0ZdBU0mBXKE?si=Vi7_Aqe8V-3Jy72X

5. AAEP Alert to Equine Practitioners: New World Screwworm Enters the United States:https://aaep.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Alert-to-Equine-Practitioners-FINAL.pdf

04/23/2026

Always start slowly when transitioning horses onto Spring pastures.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DhRETDtyQ/

🐴 Hold your horses! Before turning them out to pasture, here’s what you need to know:

🛑 Wait until plant heights average 6 to 8 inches. Waiting allows plants to recover from winter, produce leaves necessary for regrowth, and reach lower nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) levels.

🌾 Slowly ease horses onto pastures in 15-minute daily increments.

⏰ Begin with 15 minutes of grazing on the first day, 30 minutes the second day, and continue adding 15 minutes per day until you reach 5 hours. After that, unrestricted grazing can occur if adequate forage is available. Slow transitions in diet provide time for the horses' microbes to adjust, which reduces the chance of laminitis and colic.

🍽️ To further support a slow transition, feed hay prior to pasture turnout to discourage horses from overconsumption early on.

ℹ️ https://extension.umn.edu/horse-pastures-and-facilities/fall-and-spring-pasture-do-lists -your-pasture-for-grazing-in-spring-69710

02/26/2026

Let us know if you think your horse might benefit from acupuncture! We love offering this service for horses of all ages.

🐴✨ Wellness Day ✨🐴

Today, our amazing therapy horses enjoyed a session of equine acupuncture — a gentle, holistic treatment that supports both body and mind. 💚

For aging horses especially, acupuncture can be incredibly beneficial. It helps:
🌿 Reduce arthritis and joint pain
🌿 Improve mobility and flexibility
🌿 Support circulation and digestion
🌿 Ease muscle tension and stiffness
🌿 Promote relaxation and overall comfort

As our therapy horses give so much of themselves to support others, it’s important we give that same care back to them. Acupuncture helps keep our senior partners feeling their best, so they can continue doing what they love — connecting, healing, and teaching us every day. 🐎💫

02/17/2026

Wishing you and your herd a year of strength, speed, and good hair 🐎✨

Learn more about Piper Hospital at the Leatherdale Equine Center and West Metro Equine Practice: https://vmc.umn.edu/

01/23/2026

With the extreme cold temps and wind chill forecasted for tomorrow, please ensure horses have plenty of forage available as well as access to fresh water. Risk for colic increases when horses reduce their water intake. Our offices will be closed and emergency services are available via our office number if needed. Please stay safe and warm!

The biggest concern for horses in winter is maintaining their body temperature. To stay warm during the cold season, a horse burns extra calories and this can negatively impact their health and body condition — particularly if the horse went into winter in only moderate condition, or if he is elderly or ill.

The graphic shows five things you can do to make sure your horse stays healthy through the cold months. Be sure to consult your veterinarian about any diet or lifestyle changes that may be necessary for your horse to maintain his condition this winter, and don’t forget to monitor your animal's water intake to minimize the risk of impaction colic.

Read more and find additional useful winter care information on our educational partner Equus’s website athttps://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/cs_srgb/MTc3MjU5MjQyNjYxNjE4ODQ5/equus-extra-37-.pdf

12/02/2025

A heads up to our clients- the West Metro Veterinarians will be headed to the American Association of Equine Practitioners Annual Convention Saturday December 6 through Wednesday December 10. All emergencies will be directed to other practices during this time. Our staff will be available during regular office hours to help triage non-emergency calls.

11/21/2025

As we continue to monitor the current outbreak of the neurologic form of equine herpesvirus (EHM) infection, let's take this opportunity to discuss once more the importance of biosecurity measures to stop disease spread. We recommend the following biosecurity precautions for horse owners, particularly if their horses have recently traveled to horse shows or were exposed to horses that have traveled:

1) Monitor horses for clinical signs (including fever, discharge from the nostrils, toe-dragging or a lack of balance) and take the temperature twice daily. Temperature greater than 101.5 F is considered a fever.

2) Immediately isolate any horse(s) showing clinical signs. Equine herpesvirus is an aerosolized virus and is spread through shared airspace, direct contact, and contaminated caretakers or equipment. A good isolation area is a separate barn or shelter that does not share airspace with healthy horses.

3) Implement movement restrictions until the situation is evaluated.

4) Contact your veterinarian to evaluate your horse and to propose a comprehensive biosecurity protocol.

5) Increase biosecurity measures that include extensive cleaning and disinfection of surfaces and equipment that come in contact with affected horses: wash or sanitize your hands between interacting with horses; take time while filling water buckets and feed tubs, do not cross contaminate; minimize the use of shared equipment and tack.

6) Make sure your horse is up to date on vaccinations.

7) Establish communication with all parties involved (owners, boarders, trainers, etc.).

More resources and information regarding biosecurity are available on the Equine Disease Communication Center's website at https://equinediseasecc.org/biosecurity

To learn more Equine Herpesvirus (EHV), visit: https://www.equinediseasecc.org/equine-herpesvirus

11/20/2025

🏇 When Susan and Ulf Holm-Johansen’s young Standardbred mare, Lena, fractured her pastern bone during her very first race, they feared her racing dreams were over. Thanks to expert surgical care and a few well-placed screws from Dr. Jenna Young and the University of Minnesota’s Veterinary Medical Center team, Lena made a full recovery. After months of rest and rehab, Lena returned to the track this spring—stronger than ever.

“They are fantastic,” Holm-Johansen says about Young and the VMC staff. “You can tell that they really care about what they’re doing with these animals. As an owner and trainer, I find that reassuring. We’re not just a number.”

It’s ! Donations of any amount to the VMC help improve patient care and provide life-saving treatments, and support the compassionate professionals on the team. Thanks to Phyllis Wisen and an anonymous client family, every 25 gifts given will unlock a match up to a maximum of $35,000. Donate now: z.umn.edu/aw81

|
Read Lena's full story: z.umn.edu/aw7z

11/20/2025

It's ! Every year, the Veterinary Medical Center serves thousands of patients, large and small, who come to our hospitals. Their care depends on both our medical teams, as well as on the generosity of people who believe in this work. Gifts of every size help make advanced, compassionate treatment possible. This year, our goal is 200 gifts. If we get there by the end of the campaign, a $35,000 match from Phyllis Wisen and a generous client family will be unlocked to support the VMC’s work.

Help us succeed by making your gift: z.umn.edu/aw6h
|

11/07/2025

Save the date! November 20 is , Minnesota's annual giving holiday and an opportunity to share your pride in being part of the Veterinary Medical Center (VMC)! Each year, more than 15,000 animals come through the door of the VMC. Their care—whether it’s routine, urgent, or pioneering—depends not only on our medical teams, but also on the generosity of people who believe in this work. Gifts of every size help make advanced, compassionate treatment possible. This year, our goal is 200 gifts. If we get there by the end of the campaign, a $35,000 match from Phyllis Wisen and a generous client family will be unlocked to support the VMC’s work. Help us kick off the campaign by making your gift TODAY. Your support expands the possibilities of our lifesaving work and brings comfort and hope to our patients and their families. Any donation counts toward our goal, no matter the amount! Donate early here: z.umn.edu/av0g

|