Equine Partners Veterinary Services, PLLC

12/10/2025

Just wrapped up an inspiring trip to the AAEP Annual Convention in Denver, CO! 🌟 As your dedicated team at Equine Partners Veterinary Service, I’m thrilled to share what I’ve brought back to elevate care for our equine community.

Dove deep into cutting-edge diagnostic imaging techniques, advanced strategies for diagnosing and treating cervical disease, the newest breakthroughs in orthobiologics for joint disease management, best practices for stallion management with frozen semen, and critical updates on the ongoing equine herpes virus outbreak.

Staying ahead with the latest research means we can deliver even better, innovative care for you and your equine athletes. Let’s keep pushing boundaries together—your partners in equine health are here for you! 🐴💪

11/25/2025

We will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 27th and 28th, for Thanksgiving!

Emergency services will still be available during this time, should the need arise.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃🍁

11/19/2025

A link to the Texas Animal Health Commission press release is included in the post.

AUSTIN, TX – The Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC) received confirmation of equine herpes myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the neurologic disease linked to equine herpes virus (EHV-1), in a Texas Quarter Horse on November 18, 2025.

The horse attended the 2025 WPRA World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event in Waco, Texas on November 5-9, 2025. TAHC staff are working closely with event coordinators, equine owners, and veterinarians to respond to the outbreak, take measures to protect equine, and prevent the further spread of the virus. Additional participants of this event have been notified by the TAHC and are currently being monitored under hold orders.

View the full press release here:https://www.tahc.texas.gov/news/2025/2025-11-19_EHM-Waco.pdf

11/19/2025

EDIT TO ADD: In the comments are links to helpful resources for this outbreak, including a document with extensive details about how the virus is contracted, how we test, how we treat, and what EPVS is doing to best protect our patients. Please refer to this document if you have questions or concerns!

As you may have heard, the Brazos Valley region is experiencing an outbreak of Equine Herpes Virus Type 1 (EHV-1), specifically the neurologic strain. Early recognition and strong biosecurity are critical to keeping your horses—and our equine community—safe.

Signs to Watch For:
- Re**al temperatures >101.5F
- Lethargy or decreased appetite
- Hind-end weakness or incoordination
- Difficulty walking or frequent stumbling
- Nasal discharge or respiratory signs (in some cases)

If you notice any of these symptoms, isolate the horse immediately and contact EPVS.

We encourage people to stay home if possible and avoid large gatherings of horses. If you must go somewhere, biosecurity is key!

Biosecurity Measures to Implement:
- Minimize movement of horses on and off the property
- Isolate horses that have been off property recently for 14 days to avoid potential exposures
- Check temperatures daily, especially after travel or events
- Avoid sharing equipment (buckets, halters, grooming tools)
- Disinfect frequently touched items regularly
- Wash hands between handling horses—especially if moving between groups

What You Can Do at Home:
- Avoid hauling, shows, clinics, or mixing horses for the next few weeks
- If your horse has traveled or been exposed to other horses recently, take their temperature twice daily
- While vaccines do not prevent the neurologic form of the disease, they may decrease viral shedding and shorten the length of the disease. Do not vaccinate your horse without consulting with a veterinarian!

If you have concerns about your horse or think they may be displaying symptoms of EHV-1, please contact us at 979-324-5822!

We are adding links to helpful resources for biosecurity, temperature logging, and other information in the comments!

11/18/2025

If you see Dr. Hutka today, be sure to wish him a Happy Birthday! 🥳 🎂🎉

Whether it’s being a talented equine vet or entertaining his granddaughter on the tractor, Dr. Hutka is amazing at what he does! Enjoy your birthday Doc!

11/07/2025

Big travel plans this fall and winter? Planning to hit the big rodeos or winter show circuits? Don’t forget to booster your horses’ vaccinations!

Traveling, contact with new horses, and communal spaces (like shared water troughs) are some of the biggest risks for several contagious diseases, such as Equine Influenza, Equine Herpesvirus (EHV), and Strangles.

The good news is, we can vaccinate for these diseases to minimize the risk of contracting them!

Call or text us at 979-324-5822 to schedule your appointment to vaccinate your horse ahead of a busy winter travel season!

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween! 🎃👻

This is the best time of year to disguise your hospital bandages as a terrific mummy costume! 😉

We’d love to see it in the comments if your Equine Partner dresses up for Halloween too!

10/14/2025

✨ Success Story Spotlight! ✨

We’re thrilled to share a heartwarming recovery story from one of our amazing patients!

Lucario (affectionately known as Luke) was first seen on September 2nd by Dr. Demi for a severe case of laminitis (founder). The prognosis was initially grim, but we decided to take it 24 hours at a time and give Luke a chance.

And today, we’re so glad we did! 💛

Luke spent over three weeks in the hospital receiving intensive pain management and customized hoof care. During that time, he was also diagnosed with PPID (Equine Cushing’s disease) — the likely culprit behind his laminitis flare-up — and began treatment to keep it under control.

At his first recheck since going home, Luke looks phenomenal! 🙌

We’ll continue to work closely with his dedicated owner to support his recovery and help him live a long, comfortable life!

Photos featured:
Photo 1: Luke lying down in a stall prior to being seen by EPVS
Photo 2: Luke’s initial radiographs of his right front foot showing severe laminitis
Photo 3: Luke feeling much better!

08/30/2025

We’re overjoyed to welcome home our practice manager, Megan, her fiance, and their beautiful baby boy after a near two-week hospital stay following a car accident far away from the Brazos Valley. By God’s grace, an emergency C-section delivered a healthy little c**t, and everyone’s on the mend. Thank you for your prayers and love—our EPVS crew just grew by one precious baby boy!

Help bless them with meals as they continue recovering or contact the clinic for other ways to support their family:

On August 15th, Daniel and Megan were involved in an devastating head-on collision caused by a wrong-way driver in Lubbock. At the time, Megan was 36 weeks pregnant. Due to the trauma of the accident, she required an emergency C-section caused by a placental abruption. Welcoming their new baby boy W...

07/02/2025

What a wonderful opportunity to meet the great staff that helps us help horses! Semira Schnell Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Lab (TVMDL)

06/28/2025

Say hello to the newest member of the Equine Partners family — Dr. Demi Striligas!

Born and raised in West Tennessee, Dr. Demi’s been horse-obsessed since she could reach the stirrups. After earning her degree in Animal and Dairy Science from Mississippi State (hail State!), she went on to become a DVM at the University of Tennessee (go Vols!).

She enjoys optho (eye cases), colics, and she has a soft spot for newborns and neonatal medicine — basically, she’s the kind of vet you want on speed dial.

When she’s off the clock, you’ll probably find her deep in a book, stitching something by hand, or taking her Thoroughbred mare, Rimini, for a ride into the sunset. (Cue the horse girl heart eyes.)

Dr. Marcus Hutka and the whole team couldn’t be more excited to welcome her aboard and introduce her to our amazing clients — equine and otherwise!

06/11/2025

It's a full moon don't forget to bubble wrap your horse. Marcus Hutka Lee Cumpian Rylee HutkaMegan KmiecKirby Rawlinson