We believe that proactive healthcare is the foundation for a long, comfortable life for your equine partner. At South Valley Equine, our comprehensive preventative care program combines thorough examinations, customized protection plans, and ongoing monitoring to keep your horse performing at their best. By catching potential issues early and maintaining optimal health year-round, we help you avoid costly emergencies while strengthening the special bond you share with your horse.
Preventative Care
Understanding Preventative Care
Preventative care encompasses all the proactive measures taken to maintain your horse’s health and prevent disease before it occurs. Just like in human medicine, regular check-ups and protective treatments form the backbone of keeping horses healthy throughout their lives. This approach involves scheduled wellness examinations, vaccinations against dangerous diseases, parasite management, dental maintenance, and proper identification systems. Each horse has unique needs based on their age, activity level, environment, and exposure risks. By tailoring preventative care to your specific horse, South Valley Equine ensures they receive exactly what they need to stay healthy without unnecessary treatments.
Our Preventative Services
Our comprehensive preventative care services address every aspect of your horse’s health maintenance needs. We partner with you to create a tailored wellness plan that keeps your horse protected and thriving throughout every stage of life.
Annual Wellness Examinations
During these thorough check-ups, our veterinarians perform a complete physical assessment evaluating vital signs, listening carefully to heart, lung, and gut sounds, examining eyes, and assessing overall body condition. These comprehensive exams allow for early detection of potential problems before they become serious issues. It also serves as an opportunity to discuss your horse’s lifestyle, diet, performance goals, and any concerns you may have noticed throughout the year.
Personalized Vaccination Programs
At South Valley Equine, we develop individualized vaccination schedules based on your horse’s specific risk factors, including age, use, travel habits, and exposure to other horses. We follow American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) guidelines while considering local disease prevalence in our region. We’ll explain each vaccine’s importance and timing to ensure your horse maintains optimal immunity throughout the year.
Targeted Deworming Strategies
We advocate for modern, evidence-based parasite control that effectively manages internal parasites while combating growing dewormer resistance. Our approach utilizes fecal egg count testing to determine the specific parasite burden in your individual horse. Based on these laboratory results, we recommend targeted deworming treatments only when necessary, using the most appropriate product for the parasites present.
Equine Dentistry
Horses’ teeth continuously erupt throughout their lives, often developing sharp points that cause pain and interfere with bit acceptance. Routine care includes comprehensive dental examinations and floating, which is the process of carefully rasping sharp enamel points on the teeth that can cause painful ulcers on the cheeks and tongue. We also address minor bite abnormalities, remove problematic wolf teeth, and identify any advanced dental disease requiring specialized treatment.
Coggins Testing and Health Certificates
A negative Coggins test is required for interstate travel and entry into most equine events, as it screens for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), an incurable viral disease. Health Certificates, on the other hand, confirm your horse has been recently examined by a licensed veterinarian. Our team stays current on travel regulations and can guide you through the requirements for your destination, ensuring smooth travel for competitions, breeding, or relocation.
Microchipping
Microchipping provides a reliable and permanent way to identify your horse throughout their lifetime. Each chip contains a unique identification number that links to your contact information in a secure database. This technology is invaluable for proving ownership and significantly increases the chances of recovering your horse if they’re ever lost, stolen, or displaced during natural disasters.
On-Site and Online Pharmacy
Our fully stocked on-site pharmacy carries a comprehensive range of equine medications, supplements, and healthcare products. From routine preventatives to specialized treatments, we maintain fresh inventory to meet your horse’s needs. Our online pharmacy option provides additional convenience, so you can get refills delivered straight to your barn.
Our Preventative Care Process
Assessing Your Horse’s Needs
We’ll discuss your horse’s daily routine, performance expectations, and any health concerns you’ve noticed. Our team reviews previous medical records and performs a thorough physical examination. Based on this information, we create a customized preventative care schedule that aligns with your goals and budget.
Planning Your Horse’s Protection
Your personalized preventative care plan will outline specific services, optimal timing, and anticipated costs for the year ahead. We consider factors like your horse’s age, breed predispositions, and exposure risks when recommending vaccination schedules and screening tests.
Delivering Your Horse’s Care
Our experienced team implements each aspect of your preventative care plan with precision and compassion. We schedule appointments at convenient times and send reminders to help you stay on track. During each visit, we perform services efficiently while maintaining a calm environment for your horse. We document all findings and treatments thoroughly, maintaining comprehensive health records accessible through our patient portal.
Optimizing Your Horse’s Recovery
Following each preventative care service, we provide specific aftercare instructions to maximize effectiveness and monitor for any reactions. Our staff shares practical tips for daily health monitoring, including checking vital signs and recognizing early warning signs of illness. We also provide guidance on nutrition, exercise, and environmental management to support your preventative care efforts.
Maintaining Your Horse’s Wellness
Regular follow-up ensures your preventative care plan remains effective and adapts to your horse’s changing needs. We track vaccination due dates, schedule reminder calls for annual services, and monitor parasite testing results over time. As your horse ages or their lifestyle changes, we adjust the preventative care plan accordingly to maintain optimal protection.
Why Choose Us for Preventative Care
South Valley Equine stands out as the premier equine veterinary facility in our region, with a team that includes experienced professionals like John Sieverts, DVM. We’ve built our reputation as specialists in equine medicine by combining advanced technology with personalized care that treats every horse as an individual. Our mission to provide compassionate, expert veterinary care strengthens the bond between horses and their owners, ensuring a lifetime of health and happiness. As a one-stop shop for all aspects of equine wellness, we’ve invested in state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and surgical facilities while maintaining the personal touch that sets us apart. Our vision extends beyond treating illness. We aim to be the cornerstone of equine health in our community, partnering with owners to keep horses thriving through every stage of life.
Protect Your Loyal Steed With Preventative Care at South Valley Equine
Don’t let another season pass without giving your horse the comprehensive preventative care they deserve. Small problems caught early can save you thousands in emergency treatments later. Take the first step toward protecting your horse’s health by calling 801-254-2333 to speak with our caring staff, who will help you create a preventative care plan that fits your horse’s needs and your budget. Check us on Yelp, where our clients consistently share their positive experiences, or connect with our community on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn for helpful tips and updates.
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FAQs
What vaccines do horses need?
All horses need core vaccines that protect against tetanus, Eastern and Western equine encephalomyelitis (sleeping sickness), West Nile virus, and rabies. These diseases can be fatal and are endemic in most regions, making annual vaccination essential. Beyond core vaccines, your horse may need risk-based vaccines depending on their lifestyle and exposure. Your veterinarian will create a customized vaccination plan considering your horse’s age, use, and environmental factors.
How often should you deworm a horse?
The frequency of deworming depends entirely on your individual horse’s parasite burden, which is why we now recommend fecal egg count testing rather than calendar-based deworming. Most adult horses should have fecal testing performed 2-4 times yearly to monitor their parasite levels. Low shedders may only need deworming once or twice annually, while high shedders might require more frequent treatment. After your initial consultation, your veterinarian can create a deworming plan tailored to your horse’s overall health.
Do horses need dental care?
Yes, horses absolutely need regular dental care throughout their lives. Unlike humans, horses’ teeth continuously erupt to compensate for the grinding wear from chewing rough forage. Over time, sharp enamel points can form, causing painful mouth sores, difficulty chewing, weight loss, and behavioral issues under saddle. By practicing regular dental care, you save your horse unnecessary pain and help them live a happier life.
What is equine coggins?
A Coggins test is a blood test that screens horses for Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA), a potentially fatal viral disease with no cure or vaccine. Named after Dr. Leroy Coggins, who developed the test, it detects antibodies to the EIA virus in your horse’s blood. Most states require a negative Coggins test for interstate travel, and virtually all equine events, shows, and boarding facilities require proof of a negative test within the past 12 months.
What is a horse wellness exam?
A horse wellness exam is a comprehensive health evaluation performed by your veterinarian to assess your horse’s overall condition and detect potential problems early. This annual check-up provides an opportunity to update vaccinations, discuss parasite control, and plan preventative care for the coming year. Regular wellness exams help establish baseline values for your horse, making it easier to recognize when something’s wrong.