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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

Irongate Equine Clinic

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United States
Madison, WI
Irongate Equine Clinic

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Dedicated to the health and well being of the horse. Veterinary Care for horses in Dane County, WI
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As an Equine Ambulatory Clinic, we are able to provide comprehensive care utilizing advanced clinical training and state of the art equipment to effectively diagnosis & treat our patients. Clients can expect compassionate care & exceptional communication along with continued educational opportunities. Our staff is passionate about the health & well-being of the horse, which is why we offer the best services available which include: 24-hour emergency care, preventative and general health care, dentistry, internal medicine, lameness diagnosis, and reproductive services. Irongate Equine Clinic is proud to serve horses and their owners with a team of veterinarians whose experience and expertise in horses are second to none.

11/12/2026

❄️🐴 Hard Freeze, Hidden Risks: Is Your Pasture Safe for Grazing? 🌾

11/11/2026

🇺🇸 Happy Veterans Day! 🇺🇸

Today, we pause to recognize and thank the men and women who have served our country. We are grateful for the sacrifices they've made, the freedoms they have protected, and the dedication they've shown to our nation.

From all of us at Irongate Equine Clinic, thank you to our veterans, past and present, for your service. We are proud to honor you today and every day.

❤️🤍💙

11/10/2026

👀 I spy Dr. Ketover! Out and about in Ohio at the end of last week! 🐴

11/07/2026

❄🐴🌾 Is it safe to graze horses after a hard freeze?

What defines a hard freeze?
🌡 A hard freeze refers to a frost that is severe enough to end the growing season. The National Weather Service defines a hard freeze when temperatures fall below 28ºF for a few hours.
🌾 Cool-season grasses commonly found in Midwest horse pastures go into dormancy for winter and conserve their energy stores (starches and sugars) following a hard freeze.

Is it safe to graze after a hard freeze?
🛑 We recommend keeping horses off pastures for at least 7 days after a hard freeze.
❄️ Frost-damaged pastures are higher in nonstructural carbohydrates (NSC; starches and sugars) because plants can not use up their energy stores as efficiently. It can take plants 7 days to return to more normal NSC levels.
🐴 Higher levels of NSC can lead to an increase risk for laminitis, especially in horses diagnosed with or prone to obesity, laminitis, Cushing's, and Equine Metabolic Syndrome.

What else should you consider before horses resume grazing?
The decision to graze again after a hard freeze depends on the condition of your pasture. After a hard freeze, no additional regrowth of the pasture will occur, even though the pasture might appear green in color. If your cool-season grass pasture is

✅ taller than 3 to 4 inches, then grazing can resume 7 days after a hard freeze and can continue until the pasture is grazed down to 3 to 4 inches.
❌ shorter than 3 to 4 inches, then no grazing should occur after a hard freeze. Grazing below 3 inches can harm the plant and lead to poor productivity next season.

🌾 Plants rely on stored nonstructural carbohydrates in the lower 3 inches for energy. Therefore, the 3- to 4-inch minimum height recommendation is necessary to help maximize winter survival and can help predict a vigorous and healthy pasture come spring. We do recognize horses rarely graze uniformly and pastures tend to have areas of both over and under grazing. You will need to base decisions on the average appearance of your pasture.

11/04/2026

🐴 What Is Ringbone in Horses? 🦴

Have you ever noticed your horse becoming a little stiff, developing a hard swelling around the pastern, or just not moving quite like they used to? Ringbone could be one possible cause.

What exactly is ringbone?

Ringbone is a condition involving abnormal bone growth around the joints in a horse's lower leg. It's associated with arthritis and can cause pain, stiffness, and lameness.

There are two types:

📉High Ringbone: Affects the pastern joint.
📈Low Ringbone: Affects the coffin joint within the hoof.

It can develop from repetitive stress, previous injuries, or conformational factors, and is seen in horses across many disciplines.

Signs to watch for:
Stiffness or short, choppy strides
Swelling or a hard bony enlargement around the pastern
Heat or sensitivity in the affected area
Changes in performance or unexplained lameness

How is it diagnosed and managed?

Your veterinarian may perform a lameness examination, flexion tests, diagnostic nerve blocks, and X-rays to determine whether ringbone is present and which structures are affected.

While existing bone changes cannot be reversed, there are several ways to help manage discomfort and maintain your horse's quality of life, including:

Appropriate trimming and supportive shoeing
Anti-inflammatory medications
Joint injections or other joint-support therapies
Adjustments to exercise and workload
In more advanced cases, surgical joint fusion may be an option

The important thing to remember: Not every horse with visible bone changes is painful, and not every horse with lameness has ringbone. A proper veterinary evaluation helps determine what's going on and the best approach for your horse.

If your horse is showing signs of stiffness or lameness, don't just chalk it up to getting older. Early evaluation can make a difference!🐎

10/29/2026

We support you. 😂🐴❤️

10/27/2026

🐴 Did You Know? Horses Can’t Breathe Through Their Mouths! 🤯

Unlike humans, horses are obligate nasal breathers, meaning they breathe through their nostrils rather than their mouths. Their unique airway anatomy allows them to breathe efficiently through their nose, even during intense exercise!

But did you know this is also why choke in horses is so concerning?

Despite its name, choke in horses is usually not a blockage of the airway. Instead, it occurs when feed or another material becomes lodged in the esophagus (the tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach). Because horses can’t breathe through their mouths, a horse experiencing choke may have difficulty managing the obstruction and clearing the material.

🚨 Signs of choke can include:
🐴 Feed or saliva coming from the nostrils
🐴 Repeated coughing or retching motions
🐴 Difficulty swallowing
🐴 Stretching the neck or appearing distressed

What should you do if you suspect choke?
📞 Contact your veterinarian promptly. Remove access to feed and water, and do not attempt to flush the obstruction or force your horse to eat or drink. Choke can lead to serious complications, including aspiration pneumonia, even after the obstruction clears.

💛 Knowing the signs and acting quickly can make a big difference for your horse!

10/26/2026

🐴 Have you considered acupuncture for your horse?

Acupuncture can be a helpful addition to your horse’s care, especially when managing pain, lameness, and certain neurologic conditions. It can also be used alongside other therapies as part of an overall treatment plan.

The treatment uses thin, sterile needles placed at specific points on the body to stimulate a response. Most horses tolerate it very well, and some even get relaxed enough to fall asleep during their session! 💤

Curious about how acupuncture works and whether it might benefit your horse? Give our office a call — we’re happy to help!

10/20/2026

🐴 Medication Tuesday: Let's Talk Deworming! 💊

Did you know that deworming your horse isn't as simple as picking up a tube of paste every couple of months?

Not every horse needs the same deworming schedule! Factors like age, environment, herd management, and f***l egg count results can all help determine what's best for your horse.

A few things to keep in mind:
🌿 Test before you treat. F***l egg counts can help identify horses that need treatment.
🐴 One plan doesn't fit every horse. Some horses carry more parasites than others, so their needs may differ.
💊 More isn't always better. Overusing dewormers can contribute to parasite resistance, making certain medications less effective over time.
🩺 Have a plan. Your veterinarian can help determine which products to use and when treatment is needed.

The goal isn't just to deworm your horse—it's to keep parasites under control while preserving the effectiveness of the medications we rely on.

When was the last time your horse had a f***l egg count done?

10/19/2026

💙🐴 Happy Veterinary Technician Week! 🐴💙

It’s time to celebrate the amazing people who help keep our 🐴 patients happy and healthy! This week, we’re giving a little extra shout-out to Cheyenne, Brooklynn, and Katie for all they do.

From helping our doctors in the field to caring for our patients and supporting our clients, their hard work, compassion, and dedication make such a difference every day. Equine veterinary medicine takes a team, and we’re so thankful to have these three as part of ours! 🐎💙

Help us show Cheyenne, Brooklynn, and Katie some love this week! 👏

Address

1848 Waldorf Boulevard
Madison, WI
53719

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+16088456006

Website

http://irongateequine.com/

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