Anna Herath, DVM - Equibalance Integrative Veterinary Services, LLC

06/21/2025

Great advise! Stay cool!

Are you and your equine friends ready for the heat advisory starting today at noon? 🥵

A great way to encourage hydration as well as replenish electrolytes lost in sweat is by supplementing their feed with salt or equine electrolyte powders, providing salt blocks, or by administering equine electrolyte pastes. You may also offer a bucket of water with electrolytes, but ALWAYS provide a separate source of fresh water available at all times as well.

Make sure to stay safe and do not increase exercise, or exercise your horse during peak hours for heat/humidity in this hot weather. Fly sheets should generally be removed when heat indexes are above 90° as well to prevent overheating.

Check out the site below for a helpful calculator to see about how much salt you can supplement a horse based on their weight, or consult with us if you’re unsure the amount for your horse’s specific lifestyle.

Hope everyone stays cool out there! 😅

https://madbarn.com/how-to-feed-salt-to-your-horse/?srsltid=AfmBOoqsSOEiFrtGWdmuGrACmlF1Q-YXE3eVuV0wYxP-lFEOB0f8qGqx

06/05/2025

Good Evening! I hope everyone is enjoying the start to their summer! I am currently booking 10-12 weeks out! EEEEK!! I have therefore decided to temporarily stop taking on new barns/clients. You are welcome to reach out and I can add you to my wait list. I will re-evaluate this decision in the fall. I am beyond grateful and humbled by all the love, support and trust you have put into me that I even have to consider this decision.
SERIOUSLY THANK YOU!!
Anna Herath, DVM, CVC, CVA

(Naughty but adorable puppy for Facebook tax!)

06/04/2025

👀🐎

🎓 Education Event: Saddle Fitting with Cindy Cope 🐴
📅 June 18th | 🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
📍 National Equestrian Center, Lake Saint Louis

Join us for an informative evening with expert saddle fitter Cindy Cope as she shares insights on how to achieve the best fit for both horse and rider. Whether you're a seasoned equestrian or just starting out, this is a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and improve your horse’s comfort and performance.

✅ Free to attend
✅ Open to all disciplines
✅ Bring your questions!

📢 Spread the word and invite your barn friends—let’s make it a great evening of learning and community!
Register Here: https://f.mtr.cool/sqlsdrplbb

05/28/2025

Riverstone Animal Hospital days are the best! 😍

Riverstone 2025 Dates:

Wednesday July 2nd
Wednesday August 13th
Wednesday September 24th
Wednesday November 5th
Wednesday December 17th

05/27/2025

I hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day celebrating the 2 and 4 legged soldiers who have served us. 💝

He stands in silence. Without a rider. Without glory. Only an empty saddle and a heavy, hunched body. Before you is a monument to the horse that went through war. His rider did not return. And now he stands as a symbol of all those who fought without a choice, who carried pain, weight, and death on their backs.

This monument is located in Lexington, Virginia. But its meaning is universal. It honors all horses lost in wars — especially during the American Civil War. It’s known as The Riderless Horse. And in its silence, there is more sorrow than a thousand words could express.

This is not just bronze. This is grief. This is honor. This is a memory of those who had no voice, yet served until their final breath. His lowered head is a prayer. His empty saddle is a loss. His posture is a testament to loyalty that asks no questions — it simply goes… until it falls.

We bow not only to the soldiers who fought. We bow to those who carried them — through mud, through fire, through fear… and still moved forward.

Because sometimes, the truest heroes are silent.

05/11/2025

Here’s your real world reminder that vaccinating your pets isn’t just to keep them healthy and safe, but for the people in their lives health and safety too! I’m so glad this veterinarian is recovering!

‼️Why We Strongly Recommend the Leptospirosis Vaccine‼️

Leptospirosis is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease that affects both animals and humans—making it what’s known as a zoonotic disease. It’s caused by bacteria found in the urine of infected animals and can be spread through contaminated water, soil, or direct contact with infected pets. Even dogs that live primarily indoors are at risk, especially after heavy rain or flooding.

Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to protect your dog—and your entire household—from this dangerous illness.

Recently, this hit close to home. Our own veterinarian, Dr. Jason Kennell, likely contracted leptospirosis from a contagious patient. He was hospitalized for five days, after battling symptoms for nearly a week. This has been a sobering reminder of just how real and serious this disease can be—not only for your pets but for the people who care for them.

We can’t stress enough how important it is to vaccinate. It’s a simple step that can prevent significant suffering for both pets and people.

Finally, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of our wonderful clients who have been so patient and understanding while we adjusted schedules. Being down Dr. Jason and allowing his wife, Dr. Kaci, time to be by his side meant some changes in our daily operations—and your support has meant the world to our team.

Thank you for trusting us with your pets—and for being part of our extended clinic family. 💙💙🐈🐕

05/08/2025

05/07/2025

Guys!! I just sat down to address some appointment requests and realized how FULL my schedule is getting! May is pretty much full, June has a few openings, and July is about 1/2 full. Please, please, please - if you need an appointment or have a specific summer event you know you want a tune up for - please reach out asap so I can get you on the books! Thank you all for making me feel so loved!!

04/30/2025

It's been a bit crazy lately! I spent some time this morning working through LOADS of texts, FB messages, emails and voice mails. If you've reached out in the last week or two and have NOT heard back from me - please try again! Thank You!!

(Fun pic of my oldest checking out a crazy jump/ditch at Defender last weekend! If you've never gone, put it on the bucket list! It's worth the trip!)

04/20/2025

Happy Easter!!🐣 ✝️

04/15/2025

Yin and Yang (proper pronunciation is y-ah-ng, NOT y-aaaa-NG). I think everyone is familiar with light vs. dark, and has a basic understanding that it relates to balance.......But did you know in traditional Chinese veterinary medicine it represents so much more?

Yin Yang
Dark Light
Female Male
Cold Warm
Old Young

And so much more! When I'm evauating a patient for acupuncture treatment I need to identify if they are yin deficient or excess vs. yang deficient or excess. For example: if one is yin deficient your internal AC isn't working! The perfect example is a woman in menopause who is experiencing hot flashes.

Keeping yin and yang in balance is key to maintaining health!

02/20/2025

Another gift basket headed to Boots & Saddle Club. 🤩