Picking the Right Vet

When beginning the search to the right veterinarian for your horse, horse owners should first consult their trainers, farriers, or other horse owners. Farriers are very helpful since they often work closely with vets for serious issues such as lameness. Reaching out to multiple people in your area will help narrow down the local potential veterinarians and see if there is a recurring name that pops up. Horse owners should also ask other horse owners what they like about their veterinarian and, possibly, bring up costs.
Horse owners should start their search by figuring out which local, large animal vets provide emergency services. While ideally horse owners should search for only equine vets, emergency situations may call for the soonest available service. You must ensure that your vet will be there for your horse when you need them. Ask potential vets about their appointments as well to know how far in advance appointments need to be made.
In addition to being accessible in emergency situations, your veterinarian should be easy to contact. Learn how vets in your area communicate with clients: over the phone, email, text, etc.
Talk to your trainer or other horse owners for referrals for trusted vets and do some research to get a grasp on their level of experience and expertise. Trainers can help find veterinarians that may have certifications to work with horses from your specific sport/discipline. When it comes to caring for your horse, you want to find the most qualified and easiest to get a hold of and work with. Make sure that all potential veterinarians have the education and certifications needed to provide proper care for your horse as well as years of experience in their practice. Equine Vet clinic employees with a bachelor’s degree work as vet techs while veterinarians must attend a four-year veterinary school and graduate with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Medical Doctor degree.
Ask potential vets LOTS of questions to ensure that they will provide the kind of care that you want for your horse. Owners should take the opportunity to go to their facility and make sure the vets and other employees in the clinic have the proper equipment. Note all the services that a potential vet offers, including whether or not they have dentistry qualifications and provide dental care.
Vet bills are not fun to see in the mail. Make sure that you check your vets prices and services so you know what you are paying for. Researching and talking to other horse owner’s about costs can help give you a ballpark of how much you should be paying your veterinarian.
Do your research, talk to other horse owners, ask potential equine veterinarians about their services and experience to find a trusted vet to care for your horse.