Jacksonville Equine Associates / Southern Georgia Equine

13/05/2026

Hello Jax Equine family, we have some pretty exciting news to share! As some of you know Dr. Weldon is taking a step back from his emergency rotation, and with that change we needed some additional support for our ever growing client base. We are welcoming a very exciting addition to our team, Dr. Alex Bridges DVM has joined Jacksonville Equine Associates as a full time veterinarian. We could not be more excited to have her on the team and would like everyone to give her a big welcome!

“Dr. Alex Bridges was raised in northeast Florida, where she grew up riding on the beach and competing in various disciplines. She studied microbiology at the University of Florida before transplanting to Texas for veterinary school at Texas A&M University. After graduation in 2019, Dr. Bridges completed an equine medicine and surgery internship at Pine Ridge Equine Hospital in Tulsa, OK. After a few years of working, she recognized her true calling in veterinary medicine and went on to complete a residency in large animal emergency and critical care at Loomis Basin Equine Medical Center in Penryn, CA.

Her special interests include emergency medicine, diagnostic imaging, and wound repair and management. She also harbors a strong passion for teaching and instilling good habits and work ethic in the next generation of veterinarians.

Outside of work, Dr. Bridges loves to spend time with her dog, Bash, and her horses, Taj and Orion. She also has a love for motorcycles and can often be found on the road during her free time.”

07/05/2026

After late nights, emergency calls, and helping care for your horses when it mattered most, we’re saying “see you later” to Dr. Melissa as she steps into an exciting new chapter focused on growing her family. ❤️

Some of you may have met Dr. Melissa during emergency calls, especially while covering some of Dr. Weldon’s ER nights. Whether she was meeting you at the clinic after hours or out on a late-night farm call, we’re so thankful for the compassionate care, calm presence, and dedication she brought to our clients and patients.

While we will absolutely miss having her as part of our emergency coverage team, we are so excited for all that lies ahead for her and her family.

Please join us in wishing Dr. Melissa all the best in this next season of life — we know she’ll be amazing at it, just like she has been here. 💙

24/04/2026

🔥 METABOLIC MAY-HEM IS HERE 🔥
All of May 2026 | $150

It’s official—this is your sign to get ahead of metabolic issues before they become problems.

If you have an aging, overweight, or at-risk horse, this panel gives us a powerful snapshot of their overall health heading into the rest of the year.

✔️ Includes:

CBC (Complete Blood Count): evaluates red/white blood cells + overall health
Chemistry Panel: checks organ function (liver, kidneys, muscles, electrolytes)
Fibrinogen: screens for inflammation in the body
ACTH (Baseline): helps diagnose PPID (Equine Cushing’s Disease)
Insulin: identifies insulin resistance + Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) risk
F***l Egg Count: evaluates parasite load + guides deworming

💡 BONUS SAVINGS:
Haul in to our Green Cove Clinic and receive a wellness exam included + NO farm call fee

📞 CALL NOW TO SCHEDULE
Spots will go fast—don’t wait! 904-387-3330
www.jaxequine.com

21/04/2026

NORTH FLORIDA WILDFIRE UPDATE + EVACUATION PREP

We’re seeing rapidly spreading wildfires across North Florida including areas close to home like Clay, Putnam, and Hilliard—and the smoke alone is enough to impact your horses.

⚠️ Signs of Smoke Inhalation
Increased respiratory rate
Flaring nostrils / labored breathing
Persistent coughing
Nasal discharge (especially dark or sooty)
Lethargy or reluctance to move
Decreased appetite
🚩 Call your vet ASAP if you see:
Open-mouth breathing
Severe coughing or distress
Weakness or inability to stand
Gums that look dark, red, or abnormal
🐴 Quick Tips
Limit exercise
Keep horses in cleanest air possible (avoid heavy smoke areas)
Provide constant access to fresh water
Soaking hay and reduce dust where possible
🚛Trailers & Vehicles
Fuel up trucks NOW
Check tires, brakes, lights
📦“Go Kit” Essentials
Coggins + paperwork (paper + digital)
Halters/lead ropes (labeled)
Medications & first aid
3–5 days of feed/hay
Buckets & water
🏷️ ID Your Horses
Neck bands / halter tags
Spray phone number on hooves/coat
Take updated photos
📍Plan Ahead
Have 2–3 evacuation locations lined up if you can
Know your routes (fires can close roads quickly)
⚠️ Practice loading NOW
Horses behave differently under stress

Evacuation Option
*Jacksonville Equestrian Center25/ night. This fee is only to cover the cost of stripping the stalls after you leave and 2 bags of shavings. – Call ahead and visit them on Facebook for updated info and contact numbers
* The Ranch at Traders Hill LLC is taking evacuations from both Florida and Georgia, and may be able to assist with trailering
Please call at (904) 735-5066
*If you have room, consider helping neighbors relocate animals early

Below are links to stay updated on current fire updates:

watch duty app: https://app.watchduty.org/

FDACS: tinyurl.com/mt94pdfa

09/02/2026

✨ It’s BACK! ✨
Our February Float Special is officially here — and if you know, you KNOW.

🦷 February Float Special
💲 $80 per horse
📅 Available through the month of February

This is one of our most requested specials of the year, and for good reason.
We only offer it twice a year, and appointments go QUICK.

📞 Call or email to book: 904-387-3330

Pricing does not include sedation, exam, or additional services.

04/02/2026

28/01/2026

This is a great opportunity to learn as an owner!

HORSE OWNER WEBINAR ALERT! 📢

Join us for the first Horse Owner Education Committee webinar of 2026! Our topic will be "Equine Dentistry – A Closeup Look Inside Your Horse’s Mouth."

If you've ever wondered what your veterinarian is looking for inside your horse’s mouth, this is your chance to find out! Learn what makes horse teeth unique and why oral exams and odontoplasty, or “floating,” are performed. We’ll also review what to expect during a dental appointment, common pathologies and diseases, and how dental management will often change as your horse ages.

Registration is FREE but required. A recording of the webinar will be available if you miss the live event. Register at: https://events.zoom.us/ev/Au79KIEGlUQNYp3MIwhImixtX96-V_4BY6zUczb-JyUAmnaMAMOO~AmWA7Q-adjl446fnk29Fr5TyD20L79wemxDsn628LwZjZ4BHVqqEh-rjTA

This informative session is brought to you by the AAEP Horse Owner Education Committee.

27/01/2026

Cold Weather = Higher Colic Risk
North Florida’s frigid temps can sneak up on our horses and their digestive systems. Cold weather often means less drinking, changes in routine, and higher colic risk.

The good news? A few simple steps can make a big difference:

✔️ Keep water from getting too cold or frozen
✔️ Add 1/2 - 1 pint of mineral oil to your current feedings to keep manure soft when motility is slower
✔️ Increase forage to keep the gut moving - though avoiding coastal is ideal, or soaking it if not.
✔️ Blanket appropriately
✔️ Stick as closely to normal feeding and turnout routines as possible
✔️ Watch closely for early signs of colic

Start these steps now and continue through the cold weather.
Cold snaps don’t have to turn into colic emergencies. Prevention is key—and early intervention matters.

If you notice any changes in appetite, manure, or behavior - trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. Call us early—we’re always glad to answer questions and concerns before it gets bad.

24/01/2026

Nothing better than spending time with our local ag community. Thank you Dr. Price Black Creek Veterinary Hospital and Clay County Cattlemen's Association for having us. We’re grateful for opportunities to connect with the farmers, ranchers, and families that make our area so special.

16/01/2026

🚨 Equine Travel Update – EECVI(Extended 6 month Health Certificates)Trip Permits 🚨

GlobalVetLink has released an update regarding EECVI trip permits following last year’s Equine Herpes Virus (EHV) outbreak.

✅ As of January 13, 2026, EECVI trip permits have been re-accepted in most states.
⚠️ Exceptions:
Trip permits are still NOT accepted for travel to or from the following states:
• Kansas
• Maryland
• North Dakota
• South Carolina

What this means for horse owners:
• If your horse is traveling to or from one of the states listed above, a CVI (30 day health certificate) is required
• Always confirm entry requirements with the destination state AND the event or farm location before traveling
• EECVIs are still valid for up to 6 months from the date they are submitted, or until the Coggins expires (whichever comes first)

We’ll continue to monitor updates and keep our clients informed as state requirements change. Please contact us if you have questions about upcoming travel or health paperwork for your horse.

Thank you for helping protect equine health!