Rocky Mountain Veterinary Wellness Centre

11/23/2025

In light of the current EHV-1 outbreak, the AAEP and the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC) have organized a horse owner education webinar to bring you the most up to date information on this issue.

Next Tuesday, join specialists Lewis R. “Bud” Dinges (Texas Animal Health Commission Executive Director and Texas State Veterinarian), Dr. Krista Estell (AAEP/EDCC) and Dr. Katie Flynn (USEF) for an informative discussion about what EHV-1 is, how to recognize it, and most importantly, how to prevent its spread.

This webinar is FREE, but registration is required. Register here: https://events.zoom.us/ev/AnIoJrASj0vuX7Q_K87mKEjg5bxeMAkqp7fpSoOgVtVm_Zgo1g5m~AiiV7ZQ3bbmlEW2iSkeRTSAfMCYf2QhFMoprr7WRbM_MsiJRcBGT1oLj0Q

*PLEASE NOTE: the attendee limit for this session is capped at 1,000. However, all who register will be emailed a link to an on-demand recording that will become available 24 hours after the live session ends.

11/21/2025

08/26/2025

Happy Tuesday! A reminder of our contact information for appointments, questions or product ordering information!! 😊

08/16/2025

Hay & Nutritional Needs: Why One Size Doesn’t Fit All 🌾🐴

Not all hay is created equal — and not all horses have the same dietary needs. Two big examples:

1️⃣ Horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS)
For EMS horses, controlling sugar intake is critical to help prevent laminitis and manage insulin regulation. The key number to watch? NSC (Non-Structural Carbohydrates).

-Aim for NSC under 10% to reduce sugar/starch spikes.
-A hay analysis will tell you exactly where your forage falls — looks alone can’t reveal NSC content.

2️⃣ Growing Horses & Young Stock
Young horses have higher mineral demands, especially for bone development. One of the most important ratios to watch is calcium:phosphorus:
• Adult horses: Around 2:1 is ideal.
• Young stock: Can safely go up to 6:1, as long as the minimum phosphorus requirement is met. Too much calcium without adequate phosphorus can cause developmental issues — balance is key!

Takeaway:
The same bale of hay might be perfect for one horse and problematic for another. That’s why forage testing is one of the smartest investments you can make in your horse’s long-term health.

📋 Pro tip: Pair your hay analysis with your horse’s age, workload, and health status to build a feeding plan that truly fits their needs.

08/13/2025

🌾 With hay buying season upon us it’s time to think about the importance of testing your hay!

🐴 Horses are naturally meant to consume a diet based on forages. Pasture and hay should usually make up the majority of the average horse’s diet. When it comes to selecting hay, many people know that good-quality hay smells good, is soft, and has more leaves than stems. But how does this visual inspection match up with the actual amount of nutrients in the hay? How much crude protein or starch is in that bale of hay? To find out, you need to take a sample of hay and do a hay analysis.

A hay analysis will reveal the specific amount of various nutrients that are found in the hay. These days, it is relatively simple to obtain a hay analysis. Using a hay corer, collect samples from 10–20 percent of the bales in a single load (Figure 2). Do not combine loads of hay, even if they are different cuttings from the same field, or the same cutting from different years.

🧑‍🔬Once a sample is collected and placed in a labeled bag, the sample is shipped off to a laboratory for analysis. The results are then sent back in a 1–2-page document.

📊 Results can be hard to interpret as a horse owner but understanding factors such as key nutrient requirements and the moisture levels of the forage you purchase for your horses is ideal!

Please visit https://extension.psu.edu/understanding-a-hay-analysis

To dive into the ins and outs of Hay Analysis and what it all means!

08/08/2025

🐾🌍 Happy International Cat Day! 🌍🐾

Today we celebrate the purr-fect companions who steal our hearts (and our spot on the couch 😼).

Whether your feline friend is a cuddly lap cat, a mischievous adventurer, or the ruler of your household, we want to see them! 📸✨

📣 Drop a pic of your cat in the comments and tell us their name + one thing that makes them the best cat ever. Bonus points for toe beans, bleps, and attitude! 😻

Let’s fill this feed with whiskers, fluff, and feline love. 💕

08/07/2025

Product highlight: 4cyte Canine/Feline!

4CYTE™ has been developed specifically to help restore the matrix of cartilage and promote overall joint health. Scientific research has demonstrated that the prophylactic use of 4CYTE™ may assist in the joint’s ability to function under stress. 4CYTE™ can be used proactively as a daily supplement or pre/post-operatively as adjunctive support.

Fun fact about 4 Cyte:

The Pellets include green lipped mussels and the Gel has green lipped mussels.

There are many benefits to green lipped muscles for your furry friends including reducing joint inflammation and providing a healthy dose of omega-3s!

Contact Laura for more information!

07/30/2025

🐴 Donkey & Pony Maintenance Matters! 🫏🐎

Donkeys and ponies may be small, but they require BIG care to stay healthy and happy. Here’s what every responsible owner should keep in mind:

🫏 Donkey Maintenance Checklist

✅ Teeth: Routine dental care is essential—donkeys often hide signs of dental pain.
✅ Feet: Their hooves grow slowly but need regular trimming to prevent painful conditions.
✅ Body Condition Score (BCS): Donkeys naturally carry more fat—monitor BCS to avoid obesity and related issues.
✅ Social Needs: Donkeys are deeply social animals and suffer without companionship—ideally, another donkey!
✅ Tetanus Protection: Donkeys are especially vulnerable to tetanus. Keep vaccinations up-to-date.

⸻

🐴 Pony Maintenance & Health Tips

✅ Teeth: Dental issues may not cause obvious weight loss in ponies—regular checks are critical.
✅ Feet: Small but mighty—pony hooves need routine care to prevent lameness.
✅ Endocrine Awareness: Be alert for signs of:
• EMS (Equine Metabolic Syndrome): Linked to insulin resistance and laminitis.
• PPID (Cushing’s Disease): Common in older ponies; look for changes in coat, energy, and muscle.
✅ Body Condition Score: Ponies gain weight easily—monitor BCS closely.
✅ Grazing Muzzles: Help manage intake on lush pasture, reducing the risk of laminitis.
✅ Nutrition: Feed by need, not habit. Balance forage with minerals; avoid excess sugar and starch.

⸻

✨ Caring for donkeys and ponies takes more than just love—it takes knowledge, observation, and regular preventative care. Keep them thriving with thoughtful maintenance routines.

07/22/2025

Donkey nutrition - It’s important to understand that donkeys are not horses so they have different nutritional requirements!!

Check out the donkey sanctuary website or the below specific link for some great information about the do’s and don’ts of feeding, body score condition and maintaining a healthy weight in your donkeys!

https://www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk/for-owners/owners-resources/feeding-donkeys

07/17/2025

Equine & Canine Behaviour: When It’s More Than Just a Mood

Did you know that sudden changes in your horse or dog’s behaviour could be their way of saying, “I’m in pain”?

Animals don’t always show discomfort in obvious ways. Instead, behavioural changes can be the first clue something is wrong.

As an example a behaviour change in your horse may be one of the only initial indicators that tells you something is off. In horses we have to consider that they are prey animals so they have an amazing ability to transfer discomfort around their body to not highlight to the predators and herd any imbalances or dysfunctions and to alter lameness patterns for a better chance of survival (this still happens in today’s horses - its nature 😉)

Watch for signs like:

In Horses:
• Increased irritability or aggression
• Resistance to saddling or grooming
• Reluctance to move forward, bucking, or head tossing
• Sudden spooking or anxiety
• Changes in herd dynamics or withdrawal
• Changes in eating or drinking patterns

In Dogs:
• Uncharacteristic growling or snapping
• Hiding or avoiding interaction (withdrawal from touch, noise or movement)
• Limping or reluctance to go for walks
• Excessive licking of a limb or joint
• Whining or pacing at night

These changes may point to issues like joint pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, dental disease, or even neurological conditions.

Pain is often mistaken for bad behaviour — but when we shift our perspective, we open the door to better health and understanding.

If your animal’s behaviour changes suddenly or doesn’t feel right, contact your veterinarian. A full physical exam can rule out or identify a medical cause behind the mood.

👉 Compassion starts with observation. Be their voice. 💛

07/14/2025

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Vet + Farrier = Better Horse Health

When it comes to your horse’s wellbeing, communication and respect between your veterinarian and farrier are key!

Both professionals bring unique, essential skills to the table:
- Your vet is trained to diagnose, treat, and manage medical conditions, lameness, and systemic issues that impact hoof health.
- Your farrier specializes in hoof care, trimming, and shoeing — with a keen eye for biomechanics and long-term soundness.

Together, they can:
✔️ Collaborate on complex lameness cases
✔️ Develop custom shoeing and treatment plans
✔️ Prevent injuries through proactive care
✔️ Catch subtle changes early by sharing insights

Whether it’s a chronic condition or routine maintenance, a respectful and communicative vet-farrier relationship helps ensure your horse stays sound, healthy, and happy.

Horse owners: Encourage open dialogue, share updates, and be the link that keeps the team connected. Your horse deserves a united support system.