Maine Equine Associates

09/10/2021

It's recommended to RSVP to ensure there is enough seating.

07/17/2021

06/30/2021

Veterinarian David Jefferson draws from decades of experience as an equine veterinarian.

06/28/2021

I have a new blog post available at horsehealthwithdrj.com. It is from my first book; Maine Horse Vet: On the Road with Dr J and is also available on Amazon. Head over to the blog post to see why taking a closer look at manure could save you a whole lot of money with the vet, and see small problems before they become big ones.

06/01/2021

I want to highlight the message below from the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals. I am on their Board of Directors, believe wholeheartedly in their mission, actively support their programs and support their work financially. I am asking you to help out as well.

Breezy, the c**t born at MSSPA in February, is now a strapping 3-month-old with a big appetite! While he is still nursing for now, he already loves to eat hay and will need more and more as he grows. Horses take years to fully mature, and so Breezy will stay at the MSSPA shelter until he is grown and until his training has progressed far enough to ensure a successful adoption well into the future.

During his time at MSSPA, Breezy will eat a lot of hay! An average horse eats a bale of hay every day, at a cost of nearly $2,000 per year. And that's in a year when hay is not as expensive as it is in Maine right now. This year, MSSPA needs to raise $80,000 to provide all the rescued horses the hay and grain they need to thrive. The Society's annual Buy-A-Bale campaign is almost over, and thanks to everyone's generosity the goal is within arm's reach! Since March 1st, an astounding $73,000 has been raised for the MSSPA horses. Can you support my campaign to buy a bale for Breezy and help raise the last $7,000 needed for hay this year?

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/davidjefferson-1

04/16/2021

This book addresses one of the most difficult choices every owner has to make on behalf of their horse. A decision so personal it is even hard to discuss with friends. I believe this is the first book on the subject of equine euthanasia. I have tried to shed some light on the process from planning to completion. It is my hope that understanding the decision, the process, and the grief will help. Visit my new blog www.horsehealthwithDrJ.com to read one of the chapters.

Dr J

05/12/2020

With mixed emotions I am announcing my full retirement from equine practice as of May 1, 2020. I will miss your horses and the personal friendships. I am currently teaching large animal courses to the vet tech students at York County Community College. Working around our farm takes the rest of my daylight hours. A second book is in the works. I am happy, and hope you are. I wish you the very best and pray for your health and safety.

David A Jefferson, DVM

05/21/2019

Time to order predator flies!

Although Maine Equine is no longer a full service equine practice, we are still interested in your horse’s health. For a number of years I have sent out an early spring notice with information on how to cut down on your fly population. I am again recommending the Spalding Fly Predator program. Sign up and a shipment of the tiny predators will arrive at your place monthly during the season. Follow the company’s instructions and shake the tiny bugs onto your manure pile. They drill into fly eggs and as a result the flies never hatch out. The method is totally green and works beautifully. The company also has a fly trap to capture flies coming over from neighbors, and a product called Bye Bye Odor that keeps your barn smelling good.
If you use our Maine Equine Associates partner number when you order, we receive a rebate check. The amount you pay is the same, whether you use the number or not. The entire rebate will be turned over to The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals in Windham. I am on their board and assure you that they have a deep commitment to horse welfare, and are funded totally by donations. The Spalding phone # to call for more information and ordering is:

1 888 562 5696

Or, The website is www.spalding-labs.com

Our partner # when ordering is: 10-521
Thanks for cutting down on the fly population and your support of MSSPA.

David A Jefferson, DVM
Maine Equine Associates

06/14/2018

June 14, 2018

To clients of Maine Equine Associates:

The rumors are mostly true. After 49 years of practice, I will be semi-retiring on June 30 of this year. Because I have always loved what I do, my nearly half century of practice seems like five years. Well, maybe 15. I deeply appreciate your friendship and the opportunity to work on so many memorable horses. Some as incredible athletes, some as wonderful companions. Thank you for allowing me to be their doctor.

The staff at Maine Equine has been a huge support, and has enabled me to stay active this long. I have been blessed by Erin Austin, Lizzy Soucie and those who have held their positions in the past. I said semi-retired because I will continue to do chiropractic, acupuncture, and consultations, but am letting go of the daily practice work like vaccinations, health exams, and emergencies. I will make myself available on an appointment basis to euthanize horses for old friends.

The second page of this letter lists all the veterinarians I know who do all or mostly all equine work in our part of the state. I will be happy to talk to you personally about your choice of a future practice. If you don’t have all your horse’s health records, we will send copies to you or to the veterinarian of your choice. There will be a fee for that service, which will vary depending on how many pages need to be copied and whether you want them scanned and sent by email or by postal service. For the time being you can reach me through the MEA number 782- 8318. My cell is 415-2706.

A number of clients have asked what my plans are. First, I enjoy working on our farm here in New Gloucester and have planned new trails through our 40 plus acres. By this time next year my goal is to put in some camping sites on the property. Bonnie and I will be spending more winter time in Florida. I have tentatively accepted a position with the York County Community College teaching a Large Animal Management course to the vet tech students. I will continue to be a part of my church’s jail ministry, visiting inmates at our county jail every week. Finally, I am in the process of writing a new book which I am excited about.

My best to you always, and I will see you here or there around Maine.


David A Jefferson, DVM
Maine Equine Associates

03/14/2018

This photo was sent to us by a client 2 days ago. Whenever we get fresh snow we will get a call or two about red areas like this in paddocks or pastures. The concern is about possible urinary problems. Would this alarm you if you saw it? Below is a link to a chapter from Dr J's book about these rusty looking spots and what they could mean.

I had been out of vet school just seven months. I was working in a general practice in northern New Hampshire that had hired me right out of vet school. It was a busy practice, and in those several months I had seen a fair number of horses. I was just barely getting over being …

02/26/2018

Every year the Bangor Savings Bank makes $100,000 available to community non-profits. The bank asks the local communities how to distribute this grant money. The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals in Windham gets my vote as it did last year. I am on the board of the Society and assure you that they are doing a huge service for abused horses in the state. If enough horse owners vote for the Society it will receive a $5000 grant. To vote you need to fill in your name and email address and zip code. Under Cumberland County write-in Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals, push submit and you are done. Thank you for your support.

Vote. Vote. Vote! For your favorite nonprofit in your local community by ballot or online at www.bangor.com/cmm

02/01/2018

Been a Long, Long Winter
But, Soon the Flies will Return!

For the past several years we have sent out an early spring notice with information on how to cut down on your fly population.

We are once again recommending the Spalding Fly Predator program. Sign up and a shipment of the tiny predators arrives at your place monthly during the warm months. Follow the company’s instructions and shake the little predators out onto your manure pile. These busy bugs drill into fly eggs and flies never hatch out. The method is totally green and works incredibly well! The company also has a fly trap to capture flies coming over from the neighbors, and a product called Bye Bye Odor that keeps your barn smelling good.

If you use our Maine Equine Associates partner number when you order, we receive a rebate check. The amount you pay is the same, whether you use the number or not. The entire rebate will be given to The Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals in Windham. I am on their board and assure you that they are deeply committed to horse welfare. The Spalding phone # to call for more information and ordering is:

1 888 562 5696
Or, the website is www.spalding-labs.com
Our partner # when ordering is: 10-521

Spalding tells me that if you order by the end of this week (2/1/18), there is a price break. Thanks for cutting down on the fly population and your support of MSSPA.

Dr David A Jefferson
Maine Equine Associates

When It Comes To Fly Control For Horses, Dogs, Cows, Pigs and Other Livestock, Nobody Knows Organic Fly Control Like Us. Top Brands Include Fly Predators.

11/08/2017

Set up has been tested. We are loaded up and Hitting the Road with Dr J. Come see us in the Better Living Building at the Equine Affaire.

10/30/2017

Just a reminder with all the downed trees, if you have any red maple trees down in a pasture they need to be removed IMMEDIATELY. It does not take many leaves to cause toxicity if they eat them. Stay safe out there everyone!