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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm Saturday 8am - 12pm

Equine Performance Innovative Center: EPIC

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United States
Ocala, FL
Equine Performance Innovative Center: EPIC

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Premier conditioning and rehabilitation center in the Ocala area. An expert team and variety of high-quality services to care for your equine.
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An elite horse deserves elite care. At Equine Performance Innovative Center (EPIC), we provide nothing less than the best with every horse that trots through our stable doors. Founded by our head vet, Dr. Alberto, our comprehensive conditioning and rehabilitation services are the best available in the heart of horse country. Our staff has decades of experience with equines and an unparalleled passion for care and performance. Whether you need to get your horse in shape for competition or they’re coming back from an injury and need some time in our hyperbaric chamber, we’re always here to help.

11/03/2026

A significant bone abnormality does not always mean severe joint disease.

Calcifications, bone spurs, and areas of reduced bone density can develop following previous injuries or chronic mechanical stress. Some changes remain stable for years, while others may contribute to inflammation, discomfort, or altered joint function.

The important distinction is whether these findings are actively affecting the horse.

Radiographs reveal structural changes, but their clinical significance depends on the horse's examination, history, and performance. Understanding that relationship helps determine whether treatment is necessary or continued monitoring is more appropriate.

11/02/2026

A severe tendon injury can permanently change a horse's ability to support its own weight.

The superficial digital flexor tendon plays a critical role in controlling fetlock extension. When extensive tearing occurs, the remaining support structures experience increased mechanical stress, potentially leading to further injury.

One of the biggest challenges is protecting the damaged tendon while maintaining enough controlled movement to encourage proper fiber alignment during healing.

Regenerative therapies, therapeutic shoeing, and structured rehabilitation each address a different part of recovery. The extent of the original damage, the quality of tissue healing, and the horse's response to rehabilitation will ultimately influence its long-term prognosis.

11/01/2026

Pain and inflammation may improve long before the damaged fibers regain their normal structure. Increasing exercise too early can place excessive stress on healing tissue and increase the risk of reinjury.

Ultrasound allows us to monitor changes in fiber alignment, lesion size, and tissue organization throughout rehabilitation.

These findings, combined with clinical examinations, help determine when to increase exercise, modify treatment, or extend recovery time. The objective is to make rehabilitation decisions based on evidence of healing, not appearance alone.

10/31/2026

Happy Halloween from all of us at EPIC!

Wishing our clients, colleagues, and the entire equine community a wonderful Halloween. Enjoy the celebrations, stay safe, and give your horses an extra treat from us!

10/31/2026

A 90% tendon tear presents a significant challenge, particularly when the fetlock has lost much of its normal support.

The superficial digital flexor tendon acts as an essential support structure during weight-bearing. When most of its fibers are damaged, the remaining tissues must withstand forces they were not designed to manage alone.

Mechanical support becomes critical during recovery. Limiting excessive fetlock extension helps protect the injured tendon while reducing additional stress on the surrounding structures.

With injuries this severe, rehabilitation is measured in months, not weeks. Even with regenerative treatment, healing must be closely monitored, and any increase in activity must be guided by the tendon's structural recovery rather than improvements in comfort alone.

10/30/2026

A severe corneal ulcer can progress from a treatable eye injury to permanent vision loss in a matter of days.

When infection and inflammation damage the cornea, the tissue can begin to break down, potentially leading to corneal perforation and loss of the eye. Even when the infection is controlled, excessive scarring can permanently affect vision.

Preserving the eye requires more than controlling the infection. Protecting the remaining corneal tissue, supporting healing, and closely monitoring the response to treatment are equally important.

Squinting, excessive tearing, swelling, or cloudiness should always be treated as urgent warning signs. Early veterinary intervention can make a significant difference in preserving both the eye and its function.

10/29/2026

Chronic lesions can develop persistent inflammation, excessive tissue growth, or structural changes that prevent normal healing. In certain cases, continued medical treatment alone may not be enough.

Surgical intervention may provide an opportunity to remove problematic tissue and establish better conditions for healing.

However, surgery is only part of the process. Careful postoperative management and monitoring are essential to evaluate tissue healing, identify complications, and determine when a horse can safely return to normal activity.

10/28/2026

The superficial digital flexor tendon plays a critical role in supporting the fetlock and absorbing forces during movement. When extensive damage occurs, the surrounding structures must compensate for the loss of support, increasing the risk of additional injury.

One of the greatest challenges in tendon rehabilitation is that healed tissue does not automatically regain its original strength and elasticity. Scar tissue can develop with a different fiber arrangement, leaving the tendon vulnerable to reinjury.

Successful rehabilitation requires more than healing the tear. It involves protecting the limb, carefully managing mechanical stress, and progressively rebuilding the tendon's ability to tolerate weight-bearing and movement.

10/27/2026

The guttural pouches are one of the most unique anatomical structures in horses, but their location also makes certain diseases particularly dangerous.

These air-filled structures sit near major blood vessels and important cranial nerves. Infections, fungal disease, or significant inflammation within the guttural pouches can lead to serious complications, including difficulty swallowing, nerve damage, and potentially life-threatening hemorrhage.

Because these conditions can progress without obvious external signs, endoscopic examination plays an important role in identifying abnormalities and determining the appropriate treatment.

Understanding this anatomy is essential when evaluating horses with unexplained nasal discharge, abnormal swallowing, or bleeding from the nose.

10/26/2026

Repeated hoof abscesses should never be considered normal.

A keratoma is a benign growth that develops within the hoof capsule. As it expands, it can place pressure on the coffin bone, potentially causing bone remodeling, persistent discomfort, and recurring abscesses.

The challenge is that a horse may improve after each abscess is treated, only for the problem to return because the underlying cause remains.

Recognizing a pattern of recurring abscesses is important. Further investigation can help identify structural abnormalities before prolonged pressure causes additional damage.

Address

5590 NW Highway 225
Ocala, FL
34482

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm
Saturday	8am - 12pm

Telephone

+13523095154

Website

https://epcrehab.com/

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