VETERINARY & FARRIER CARE

Your Retired Horse's Healthcare

Your retired horse’s health care includes preventative care, such as a diet composed of low starch and sugar ingredients, exercise, vaccinations, deworming, teeth floating, supplements and medications as needed, emergency care when needed, and above all working in harmony with the horse.

 

Franktown Meadows recognizes that boarding retirees involves managing health and soundness issues as the norm, not the exception.

 

Our equine veterinary services are provided by Dr. Kris Purcell with Carson Valley Equine, Gardnerville, NV.  Clients are required to establish an account with Carson Valley Equine, who bills owners directly for vaccinations, teeth floating, and any veterinary services provided.

 

Clients are required to establish an account with our farrier, Foothills Farrier, who bill owners directly for trimming and shoeing.​

 

Comstock Equine Hospital is located 7 miles (10 minutes), and UC Davis Equine Hospital is located 150 miles (2.5 hours) from Franktown Meadows.

 

The advancements in veterinary medicine are allowing horses to live longer healthier lives; however, the cost associated can become prohibitive for owners without insurance. Franktown Meadows highly recommends that owners continuously maintain their medical insurance policy until the horse ages out at 18-20 years old.

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Vaccinations

Horses are scheduled and boosted every six months as recommended by our veterinarian: 

• EWT (Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis and Tetanus)

• West Nile

• Rhino Flu

• Strangles

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Deworming

Franktown Meadows follows AAEP recommended protocol for deworming.

Products used may include:

• Ivermectin

• Ivermectin with praziquantal, (Equimax or Zimectrin Gold) for tapeworms

• Panacur Power Pack - double dose of fenbendazole given five days in a row

• Quest

• Strongid- pyrantel pamoate

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Our deworming program is included in Franktown Meadows’ full care retirement services.

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Chiropractic and Acupuncture

Our veterinarian offers Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, ESWT. ESWT is used to restore soundness, reduce pain, treat navicular syndrome and other musculoskeletal conditions, and heal wounds.

 

Alternative therapies such as Acupuncture, Acutherapy, Chiropractic, Massage Therapy, and Physical Therapy recommended by our equine vets or requested by owners can be arranged in cooperation with our veterinarians. We utilize only veterinarians trained in these modalities or a therapist working under the direct supervision of our vets.

 

Providers bill owners directly for these services.

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FARRIER CARE

Trimming & Front Shoes

Horses’s hooves are trimmed every six to eight weeks or as necessary by our professional full-time farrier, Daniel Torok with Foothills Farrier Service. He consults and works closely with our equine vet, Dr. Kris Purcell, on cases requiring x-rays. If a horse requires rear shoes, either temporarily or on a permanent basis, individual turnout is necessary for the safety of the other horses in the herd.

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DENTAL CARE

Teeth Floating

Your horse is checked twice a year by our equine vet during their spring and fall wellness exams. If required, your horse will be sedated and have their teeth floated. While sedated your gelding will have their sheath thoroughly cleaned and mares will have their udders cleaned.

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EMERGENCY CARE

Staff live on the farm 24/7. Pasture horses are checked twice a day and throughout the day.

 

Comstock Equine Hospital is located 7 miles (10 minutes) and UC Davis Equine Hospital is located 150 miles (2.5 hours) from the barn.

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​When owners sign Franktown Meadows’ boarding contract, they authorize Franktown Meadows to arrange emergency veterinary care if they cannot be reached. Franktown Meadows encourages owners to provide an emergency contact and discuss their preferences for their horse’s care, which helps guide our actions in case of an emergency.

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POST OP / REHAB CARE

Horses requiring stall rest have the option to utilize the 12’x16’ box stall. Restricted turnout is provided in a 30’ x 30’ dirt paddock or similarly sized grass paddock.

 

Fees, if any, for these services are determined on an individual basis.

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GERIATRIC HEALTH ISSUES

Metabolic Disorders

Horses with metabolic disorders are managed in cooperation with our veterinarians, farrier, and owners. Management includes diet, limiting turnout on pastures, and medication.

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Horses are monitored & re-tested per veterinary recommendation

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Arthritis

Boarding retired horses often involves managing arthritis and maintaining soundness. Movement, weight management, and superior farrier care are essential for arthritis care.

For some horses, administering an NSAID daily can enhance a horse’s comfort.

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Colic

Colic is the leading medical cause of death in horses. A critical part of the intake process is to understand owner’s stance on colic surgery. This conversation provides guidance to allow Franktown Meadows to act swiftly during a colic episode, especially if the owner cannot be contacted. However, Franktown Meadows always strives to communicate with the owner before making any decisions, even in urgent situations.

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Sheath and Udder Cleaning

Franktown Meadows conducts routine cleaning for both geldings and mares one to two times annually while sedated, typically after dental procedures.

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