Equine Services

We are qualified to provide export documents for horses going across the border. We are also qualified to perform the Coggin’s test that needs to be done before crossing the borders, before shows/clinics/camps, and as required by certain equine associations.

With the use of our ultrasound we provide pre- breeding checks to assess the uterus health and predict ovulation. We are then able to perform artificial insemination, subsequent pregnancy checks and foaling assistance if needed.

The Equine Wellness Program is designed to provide routine check ups on your horse to provide the proper preventative care in order to help your horse be as healthy for as long as possible! Our wellness exam includes a full physical check up, soundness evaluation looking for any early signs of lameness, fecal exams to help choose the best deworming protocol for your horse, dental exam and float, vaccines and dewormer. We are happy to provide these exams to you based on your request during regular hours, some evenings, and some weekends.

We offer a range of minor surgeries such as castrations, cryptorchid castration, lump removals, wound treatments, umbilical hernia repair, eye injury treatments, etc. We are equipped with a surgical room with padded walls and floor designed for safest recovery from surgery, and can do minor surgeries on farm as well.

Diagnostic imaging:

• Portable digital x-ray: We are capable of getting xrays of limbs (hoof to stifle and hoof to elbow), teeth and head. We most often take these in clinic but can go out on farm as well.

• Ultrasound: Our ultrasound can image tendons, abdomen, and reproductive tracts to assist in diagnosing problems to help our equine patients.

• Endoscope: This is a long tube with a camera on the end that we use to examine airways. It can check the guttural pouches, larynx, and trachea (wind pipe).

This is an in depth exam to assess a horse’s health prior to purchasing. We will take the time to perform a physical exam as well as a full lameness exam looking for any concerns we could have about the horse’s health before the sale. We can tailor this exam to fit what you need, whether it is a mare for breeding, pleasure horse, or equine athlete. We will work with you to assess whether this horse will work for you.

Lameness is one of the biggest concerns for many horse owners. When your horse is no longer sound it is difficult to know what the next step is. The veterinarians at the Lloydminster Animal Hospital have extensive experience in helping your horse become sound again. We use advanced digital x-ray and ultrasound to help diagnosis the problem along with a thorough physical exam.

From there we use some of the most up to date therapies including joint injections and other pain management techniques. If the problem requires referral for a surgical correction we can arrange that with our referral network. The veterinarians at the Lloydminster Animal Hospital take continuing education training every year to improve their skills in this area.

Horses need regular preventive dental maintenance every six months to one year. Unlike people, horses’ teeth have an eruption rate of two-three mm per year. The teeth should wear in correspondence to yearly eruption rate. Malocclusions, or improper position of the teeth, can lead to many health issues and behavioral problems. Identifying dental problems as early as possible is important.

There are several factors that come into play at a young age that might increase treatment needed, or make a remedy even possible: loss of food while eating; eats hay before his grain; grain in water bucket; difficulty chewing or excess salivation; loss of body condition; large undigested food particles in manure larger than one quarter inch; head tilting or tossing; bit chewing; tongue lolling; tries to rear while bridling; fighting the bit or resisting the bridal; bucking or failing to stop or turn; foul odor from the mouth or nostrils; traces of blood in the mouth; or nasal discharge or swelling of the face. Other horses may not show noticeable signs, because they just simply adapt to their discomfort.

There are several variables to be considered when planning a deworming program for your horse. The age of the animal and environmental conditions play a key role. Younger animals, foals to 3 year olds, require more frequent deworming than adults. Horses on large pastures require less frequent deworming than stable/turn-out horses. Please come in to discuss your horse’s specific conditions with one of our veterinarians and we will be happy to customize a deworming program for you.