Western Montana Equine

07/23/2025

Did you know Dr. Witzel is also a plastic surgeon?

This pony came in with a kick to the head that resulted in a broken face 😱

We were able to get him pieced back together 😎

07/09/2025

Thank you to all the amazing farriers that we have the pleasure of working with!

It’s ! Let’s take a moment to celebrate and thank our farriers!

Proper foot care is the cornerstone of maintaining a sound horse, and a good farrier is an essential part of your equine's healthcare team, keeping your horse’s feet balanced and well-supported. Farriers and veterinarians often work together for the best interests of the horse, so a skilled farrier is both a necessity and a tremendous asset. Be sure to let your farriers know they are appreciated!

06/25/2025

Happy Birthday to Dr. Witzel!
We appreciate everything you do for us and our favorite equines.
🎂🎈🎉🐴🩺

06/24/2025

Breeding season is winding down but over the course of this spring I’ve really become partial to my weekend staff 😋

06/10/2025

Things are heating up early here in Montana!

Make sure your horse is drinking plenty of water 💦 to prevent colic.

Dehydration is one of the biggest leading factors of colic and can be brought on by these dramatic weather changes.

Some tips to ensure your horse is staying adequately hydrated:

💧 Make sure you have a constant supply of clean, fresh water. Sometimes if it’s murky or too hot horses won’t drink as much—can you blame them though?

💧 We recommend feeding through your daily salt or electrolyte mineral supplement as opposed to offering it free choice. This way you can ensure your horse is getting an appropriate amount. Ever notice how some horses stay away from salt blocks and others devour them?

💧 Remember, if you see any warning signs for colic we’d rather hear about it sooner rather than later. We have a better chance of helping your horse through it if we know about it as soon as it starts.

06/03/2025

How our team usually looks by Fridays…

Thank you to all of clients for working with our busy schedule and hauling in more for appointments! We appreciate you.

On another note: if you are looking for supplement recommendations Platinum Performance has some really great options. Talk to us about some potential discount pricing!

03/10/2025

Thank you to everyone who participated in our February Dental Special Month!

As much fun as we had with all of you, Dr. Witzel is looking forward to a little rest from doing 10+ dentals a day!

We also appreciate everyone’s patience with the weather and those who were able to coordinate larger groups.

😊🦷🐴

02/19/2025

We hope everyone is staying warm and cozy out there! Spring is right around the corner 😁

02/11/2025

02/04/2025

Some tips to help your horses through these winter storms:

❄️ Make sure your horse has access to fresh tepid water. In colder weather, your horses will be more incentivized to drink if their water is a little warmer as opposed to ice cold. Dehydration is one of the leading causes of colic!

❄️ The digestion of hay will keep your horses warmer than you think—and they will also use up more calories keeping warm in colder weather. So be sure to give your horses extra feed when the temperature drops.

❄️ Pay careful attention to your senior horses with arthritis. Colder weather can make them stiff and uncomfortable, making it harder to move and navigate hazardous and icy conditions. Talk to us about what options you have (such as an NSAID) to help keep them more comfortable.

❄️ To blanket or not to blanket? Remember every horse is different! Different body conditions, ages, riding disciplines (is your horse clipped?), breeds, environments, and health conditions all play a role! Our best advice? If you choose to blanket, stay consistent with the temperature you pick to blanket in.

❄️Stay safe and warm out there everyone!❄️

01/30/2025

Young horses, particularly those that are mouthy, have a tendency to grasp ropes or chains (or in this case a common bucket strap), and if they become spooked while still holding on, they risk fracturing their jaw.

If you observe your horse grabbing onto something with their mouth and pulling back, we recommend inspecting the interior of their mouth.

In such instances, we will employ wiring to facilitate accelerated healing and proper alignment. If left untreated, dental issues may arise due to crooked tooth growth, and the healing process may be prolonged and uncomfortable.

As we are aware, horses have a tendency for inventive self-injury. To minimize this risk, be mindful of clips, chains, ropes, and any other objects that may be accessible to their mouths.

01/28/2025

Are you noticing little clumps of chewed up hay left on the ground after feeding?

These little clumps are referred to as “quids” and are often a sign your horse is having difficulty properly chewing their hay. It can be an indicator for a higher risk of choke!

If you notice these around your feeding area it may be time to get your horse in for a dental! We can help you come up with a feeding regimen to make sure you are maximizing your nutrition from your feed, and lowering your horse’s risk of choke.

We still have openings in February for our dental special month!
Call or text today to get on the schedule and receive 10% off your horse’s dental float 🦷