Snowfall Equine Veterinary Services

01/02/2026

I didn't realize my name change would usher in another snowpocalypse. 🌨️ My bad! I tried to get the name "75 And Sunny With a Light Breeze Equine" but it was already taken. Sorry! 🥶 ❄️ 🐴

12/29/2025

I hope everyone is surviving their sugar cookie and eggnog hangover today! Current clients, keep an eye on your email as there will be an email going out later today detailing some changes for the practice in 2026.

12/23/2025

‼️December Announcement #3‼️
The educational seminar will be BACK for 2026! Same location but more streamlined and better than ever! 🤓🤩
As always this will be FREE and open to the public!
More details to follow! 🐴❄️🐴

12/18/2025

And and the worst kept secret is out...
I bought a shockwave machine! 🤩
FINALLY!

Not just any shockwave machine, but a portable, quiet and amazingly effective shockwave!
Lots of you already know the benefits of shockwave, but over the next few days I'll be making some posts about what a shockwave is all about and what it can be used for (hint... It's a lot of awesome stuff!)
🥳🥳🥳🐴❄️

12/16/2025

No it's not Gwenyth Paltro... Could it possibly be the second announcement of December coming tomorrow?!? 🤔🤓

12/08/2025

‼️December Announcement #1!
Starting January 1st 2026, Excelsior Equine will officially be rebranding as "Snowfall Equine!" 🕸️🐴 This is a change that many of you were already aware of, but it's now official!
Here's a few answers to questions I'm sure you have:

❔Why the change?
Because really stupid reasons... but I do adore the snow and "Excelsior" was apparently annoying to spell. 🤓

❔What does this mean for me as a client?
No change at all except a different name written on the check. Emailed invoices will also come from "Snowfall" instead of "Excelsior." A transition to www.snowfallequine.com is in the works and there will be a new business email address coming as well.

❔Why do you love snow so much you actually put it in your name you weirdo?
Because extra layers are better than dripping sweat and fresh flakes on your eyelashes are better than being eaten by flies. This is a hill I will die on.

❔Is this the only announcement for December?
Nope! Still (more fun and exciting) things to come!!

12/08/2025

Great breakdown from our Friends at Rhinebeck for two products I love!

💉 It is Medicine Monday! And today we are going to take a look at two different intra-articular joint products: Arthramid and Pro-stride APS.

💉 What is Arthramid?
Arthramid is a patented synthetic 2.5% injectable polyacrylamide hydrogel (iPAAG) injected intra-articularly that integrates into the joint’s synovium, the inner lining of the joint capsule. It is labelled to be used in any synovial joint showing signs of osteoarthritis. Arthramid improves the function of the joint, lameness and the joint fluid quality.

💉 How is Artharmid packaged?
Arthramid is packaged as a pre-filled 1mL syringe. The treatment volume is based on the severity of the osteoarthritis and the joint to be injected.

💉 What is the scientific evidence that Arthramid is an effective joint treatment?
Studies have shown that injecting osteoarthritic joints with Arthramid is safe and effective with over 82.5% of patients responding to treatment. Studies have shown
Arthramid integrates into the synovial tissue within 14 days that may cause a low-grade foreign body response.

🩸 What is Pro-Stride APS?
Pro-Stride APS (Autologous Protein Solution) is a device that processes the horse’s own blood to separate and concentrate the cytokines, proteins and growth factors that heal and reduce pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis.It blocks the proteins that cause inflammation. Pro-stride is an orthobiologic that can be conveniently processed and collected in the clinic or on the road.

🩸 How is Pro-Stride APS collected and processed?
The horse’s jugular vein is routinely prepped for blood collection. Typically, 60mL of blood is collected into a syringe containing a small volume of ACD-A solution, an anti-coagulant. In some cases, two syringes may be collected in order to have a sufficient amount of product to treat the joints. In this case, two Pro-Stride APS kits will be needed. Next, the blood is transferred into the specialized separator device and centrifuged at a specific rate for a set amount of time. After the initial centrifugation, the platelet poor plasma is removed from the device and the cell solution is transferred into the concentrator device. The concentrator device is centrifuged for a specific amount of time. Now, the remaining solution is drawn up to be injected into the joint(s). The process takes roughly 20-30 minutes.

🩸 What is the scientific evidence that Pro-Stride APS is an effective joint treatment?
It is an all-natural, safe and effective therapy option that protects joints from inflammation for horses including young, competitive, geriatric, and PPID horses that prioritizes long-term health. And more studies are in the works.

🩺 It is important to note that all joint injections carry risks that should be discussed with your veterinarian in order to choose the best options for you and your horse.

Zoetis Equine
Arthramid Equine

12/03/2025

Happy December everyone! Isn't this snow amazing ? ❄️ 🤩 Frozen water buckets and numb toes aside, December is going to be great as there will be *multiple* fun things to share over the month!
Maybe some new services ..? 🤔
Maybe some future events...? 🤓
Maybe some big changes for Excelsior...? 🐴
..and no... Still not (and never will be) pregnant 🤪

Stay tuned!

11/28/2025

Wishing all my clients a quiet and warm Thanksgiving. You have all given me a lot to be thankful for this past year. 🍂 🧡
And of course I made a purple sweet potato pie for dessert. Obviously 🤪

11/20/2025

Many clients have reached out to me with concerns over the EHV-1 outbreak occurring out West. The important things to know is that there are no reported cases in New York state at this time and a horse requires direct contact with an infected horse in order to catch the virus. If your horse has not traveled out west or has not had direct contact with a horse who was potentially exposed they are not at risk. For anyone that may be planning to travel to a state with documented cases with their horses I recommend staying home until this all settles down. The vaccine is effective against respiratory illness but it does NOT protect against the neurologic strain. Eliminating possible exposure is the most effective way to prevent your horse from contracting the herpes virus.
The great folks at Rhinebeck made a very educational post about the disease which I have shared below.

‼️ Recent cases of EHV-1 and EHM are confirmed after the WPRA event in Waco, Texas with potential exposure at other events. We have posted about EHV-1 and EHM in the past so here is a refresher on this highly contagious disease.

📖 What is EHV-1?

Equine Herpes Virus type-1 (EHV-1) is a virus that causes respiratory disease, abortion, neonatal death, and neurologic disease. EHV can cause Equine Herpesvirus Myeloencephalopathy (EHM), the neurologic form of herpes.

🤧How is it spread?

EHV-1 is primarily spread by direct horse-to-horse contact by respiratory secretions. However, indirect contact with contaminated equipment and personnel can spread the virus. Following infection, horses may become latent carriers and the virus may be reactivated after stress such as travel and exercise, or high doses of corticosteroids. The incubation period ranges from two to 10 days.

🩺What are the symptoms of EHV-1?

Common symptoms include fever, coughing, lethargy, nasal discharge, and inappetance. Symptoms of the neurologic form include ataxia (incoordination), weakness, difficulty standing, recumbency, loss of tail tone, and difficulty urinating.

💊 What is the treatment for EHV-1 and EHM?

Treatment is primarily supportive care. Patients with EHM may require a sling.

😷How can you protect your horse?

💉 While vaccination can decrease clinical signs and shedding, it does not protect against the neurologic strain.

👃 While at a show, avoid nose-to-nose contact with horses from other barns, and don’t share equipment such as buckets, wheelbarrows, and pitchforks. Wash your hands frequently, and take extra precautions if working with multiple groups of horses.

🌡️ Consider taking your horse's temperature twice a day when traveling. Temperatures greater than 101.5 or any signs of illness should be reported to your veterinarian immediately. And consider quarantining horses returning from horse shows or are new to the farm.

🧬How is EHV-1 diagnosed?

The virus is detected in nasal swabs and blood samples by PCR testing. At Rhinebeck Equine, we offer in-house rapid EHV-1 PCR testing on nasal swabs. Results are available in ~60 minutes.

📸: We recommend horses avoiding nose to nose contact while at horse shows and events. These Chincoteague ponies clearly didn’t hear our recommendations.

09/24/2025

Great post by The folks over at Rhinebeck! Something I talk to clients about all the time

09/22/2025

ITS FINALLY AUTUMN!! 🍂 🎃

Summer sucks and Fall is the BEST... fight me 💪🏻🍁

Why? Because NY apple season is my happy place and then add in a little ice cream 🍎 🍦 🤤 Also like every basic white girl I love a good PSL. 🙌🏻

Plus who wants to ride when it's like >90*F??? So much better when it's cool and crisp and the horses get a little spicy spicy 🔥 🐉🐎

In other news, I seem to finally be recovering from COVID last week 😷 Back to business as usual this week (although moving a little slow and getting tired still) Thanks to everyone that has tolerated the needed schedule changes! ❤️