Cave Creek Equine Hospital/Sports Medicine & Surgery

10/15/2025

It takes a team to keep our horses healthy, comfortable, and performing their best — and our technicians and assistants are at the heart of that mission.
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Their compassion, skill, and dedication shine through in every patient they care for and every client they support. 💛
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During 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤, we want to say thank you for the countless ways you make a difference — for our horses, our clients, and our entire team.
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We’re so grateful for all that you do! 💙
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10/14/2025

New swag has arrived 🎉
Tail bags and hats are available in our front office.

What other colors would you guys like to see? Comment below for a chance to win a free hat or tail bag of your choice!

10/10/2025

Just another day at Cave Creek Equine — when your coworker’s horse becomes today’s VIP patient. 🩺🐴

10/09/2025

Ever wonder what lameness looks like inside the hoof? 👀
This horse came to us for a persistent front foot lameness that didn’t respond to conventional therapies.
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MRI gave us the missing piece — a clear view inside the hoof capsule that revealed the source of pain and guided the right treatment. 🩺
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Precision diagnostics = better treatment, faster recovery. 💪🐴
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10/08/2025

When a performance horse isn’t quite feeling like themselves, it’s our job to look deeper for the cause. 🩺
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In this case, our veterinarians performed a re**al ultrasound to evaluate internal structures that could affect performance, such as the reproductive tract, bladder, or portions of the gastrointestinal system. They also performed a gastroscopy (“scope”) to check for gastric ulcers, a common but often hidden source of discomfort and reduced performance.
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By combining advanced diagnostics like ultrasound and endoscopy with hands-on evaluation, our team can identify issues early and create a targeted treatment plan — helping each horse feel and perform their best. 🐎💪
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ℐ𝓉’𝓈 𝒶 𝓉ℯ𝒶𝓂 ℯ𝒻𝒻ℴ𝓇𝓉 — veterinarians, technicians, and technology working together to find clear answers and guide every horse toward better health and performance.
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09/30/2025

🔍 Behind the Scan: Advanced Imaging Q&A with Dr. Lea Walker
From mysterious lameness to subtle performance issues, getting the right diagnosis starts with the right tools.
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In this carousel, Board-Certified Equine Sports Medicine specialist Dr. Lea Walker explains how MRI and bone scans reveal what X-rays can miss, when she recommends advanced imaging, and why expert oversight matters every step of the way.
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➡️ Swipe through to learn:
• When advanced imaging is worth considering
• How MRI and bone scans uncover hidden injuries
• Why the quality of each image is critical for an accurate diagnosis
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✨ Whether you’re a competitive rider or a devoted horse owner, these insights show how precision diagnostics can protect your horse’s performance and future.
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09/30/2025

Oh, those skin allergies... 🐴
If your horse is uncomfortable, losing hair, or has sores that don’t heal, give us a call to schedule an appointment with our team.
📞 623-581-5508

Equine Skin Allergies: What Horse Owners Should Know ✍️

What are they?
Skin allergies in horses can cause itching, hives, hair loss, and skin sores. The most common types are reactions to insect bites, environmental allergens (like pollen or dust), and, rarely, certain foods or contact with chemicals.

Common Signs:
• Excessive scratching, rubbing, or biting at the skin
• Hives (raised, bumpy areas on the skin)
• Hair loss or bald patches
• Scabs or crusty skin

What causes them?
• Insect bites: Especially from midges (“no-see-ums”), flies, or lice
• Environmental allergens: Pollens, molds, barn dust, etc.
• Contact allergies: Shampoos, sprays, bedding
• Food allergies: Rare in horses

When do they happen?
Seasonal allergies often flare up in warmer months (due to insects or pollen). Year-round itching may be due to dust, molds, or other ongoing exposures

What can you do as an owner?
• Reduce exposure to known triggers (like insects or dusty bedding)
• Work with your veterinarian to identify the cause and create a treatment plan
• Treatments may include special shampoos, medications, or allergy shots

When to call your equine veterinarian:
If your horse is uncomfortable, losing hair, or has sores that don’t heal, consult your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment options.

09/16/2025

Does this sound familiar? 👇
✨ Your barrel times are slower
✨ Your horse resists certain maneuvers
✨ They’re sore longer after workouts
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These could all be signs your horse needs a 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. At Cave Creek Equine, our sports medicine team uses advanced diagnostics to catch small issues before they turn into bigger problems.
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📖 Read the blog: https://cavecreekequine.com/blog/5-signs-your-horse-may-need-a-performance-evaluation/
📞 Call us today to schedule your evaluation. 623-581-5508
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Learn the 5 subtle signs your horse may need a performance evaluation. Early detection helps prevent injury and optimize performance.

09/14/2025

🏇 Weekend vibes at 𝑪𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑪𝒓𝒆𝒆𝒌 𝑬𝒒𝒖𝒊𝒏𝒆! Dr. Vidal took his polo horse out on our 1/3-mile sand training track for a workout.
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𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐚𝐯𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐮𝐬𝐞? Whether you’re conditioning a performance horse or just want to have some fun and school your horse in the arena, we’ve got you covered:
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✨ 1/3-mile sand training track
✨ 200’ x 125’ arena
✨ Six-horse Priefert walker with programmable speeds
✨ Monthly boarding with daily walker exercise
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📩 Email [email protected] for more details and pricing.
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Come ride, train, and condition at 𝐶𝑎𝑣𝑒 𝐶𝑟𝑒𝑒𝑘 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑛𝑒 𝑆𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑡𝑠 𝑀𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑛𝑒 & 𝑆𝑢𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑦!
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09/12/2025

There’s nothing like wide open skies, fresh fields, and a good ride to welcome the weekend. 🌿🐶🐴 Happy Friday from all of us at Cave Creek Equine!
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What’s bringing you joy today?
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09/11/2025

We will never forget! 🇺🇸

Today, we remember those who lost their lives on this tragic day, 24 years ago, and honor those who selflessly served to protect our nation.