04/19/2026
As many of you have heard by now our neighbor, Dover Equine Veterinary Service, will be closing the end of May. I would like thank Dr. Callie for over two decades of service to the local horse community. Her unwavering dedication, expertise, and genuine love for every horse in her care have been the heartbeat of her practice. Thank you for the late-night emergency calls, the muddy barn visits, and for being a steady hand and a compassionate voice for our equine friends through every season that has defined your practice.
The closure of this practice highlights a serious change in the equine veterinary community. For the past several years there has been much discussion about veterinarians leaving general ambulatory practice and the changes that will be required to have care available for your equine friends. In my experience these discussions have largely been meet with resistance and an unwillingness to believe 24/7 care at your property, especially in rural areas, is seriously in danger. In the past 12 months there have been 5 equine vets that left ambulatory practice in this area alone. None of these positions have been filled. The statistics are even more staggering if you go back the last 5 years.
In an effort to offer more appointment times and continue to field emergency calls River Equine is thrilled to announce a major upgrade to the care we provide for our Central Virginia equine community. While I still love visiting you at your farms, I am now officially accepting haul-in appointments at the brand-new facility in Mechanicsville!
Why haul in to see us?
• Save on Fees: Skip the farm call charge and put that budget toward your horse's wellness!
• Advanced Diagnostics: Our facility provides a controlled, level environment with optimal lighting and diagnostic equipment—perfect for detailed lameness exams, wellness care, and emergency care.
• Rain or Shine: No more worrying about the weather! Our indoor, climate-controlled space ensures your horse stays comfortable and our equipment stays dry, no matter what Virginia’s forecast holds.
• Faster Scheduling: Haul-in slots often allow us to see you sooner, making it even easier to fit routine wellness into your busy schedule.
As we continue to grow and provide the best possible care for your equine partners, we wanted to share a few reminders on how to reach us and how to best prepare for when things don’t go as planned.
1. Respecting the "Doctor on Call" 🕰️
I work incredibly hard to be there for you. To help maintain a sustainable balance, I kindly ask that you:
• Text only during business hours: For all non-emergency questions, scheduling, or routine updates, please limit texts and calls to our regular business hours (Monday–Friday). Email is best for non-urgent questions. [email protected]
• Emergency? Text messages may not be seen immediately when a vet is out in the field or resting. If you have a true emergency after hours and a text isn’t returned within 20 minutes, please call (804) 230-9247. If I am not on call the emergency information is always on my voicemail.
2. Make Your "Haul-In" Plan NOW 🚛💨
Be prepared to haul in for emergency care.
We are asking all clients to have a transport plan ready:
• Don't have a trailer? Talk to a neighbor or professional hauler today so you know exactly who to call if your horse needs urgent care at the clinic.
• Practice loading: Don't wait for a colic or injury to find out your horse is a difficult loader. Practice now so they are comfortable and ready to go.
• Better Care, Lower Cost: Remember, hauling in skips the farm call fee and gives me the best environment to treat your horse quickly and effectively.
Thank you for your continued support and for helping me provide the highest standard of care for the horses we all love!
Send a message to learn more
