Equine Preventative Medicine in Palm City, FL
Preventative medicine is essential in maintaining the health and well-being of your horse. At Harbour Ridge Equine, timely vaccinations, targeted deworming, Coggins testing, and an annual dental examination form the core of every preventative care routine. A routine appointment is also the perfect time to speak with your veterinarian about any concerns you may have about your horse’s health.
request an appointmentEquine Wellness Exams
A yearly wellness exam gives our veterinarians the chance to evaluate your horse from nose to tail, including body condition, heart and lungs, eyes, skin, hooves, and movement. Small changes caught early, such as weight loss, a developing lameness, or dental issues, are often easier and less costly to treat. Wellness visits are a great time to schedule your horse’s annual dental exam and floating.
Equine Vaccinations
Vaccines help minimize your horse’s risk of infection and aid in protection from certain infectious diseases. The diseases we most commonly vaccinate against in South Florida are:
- Influenza (Flu)
- Equine Herpes Virus (Rhino)
- Eastern Encephalitis (EEE)
- Western Encephalitis (WEE)
- West Nile Virus (WNV)
- Rabies
- Strangles
- Tetanus
We strongly encourage all horse owners to have their horses vaccinated in line with the AAEP (American Association of Equine Practitioners) guidelines. Florida’s warm, humid climate allows mosquitoes to thrive for much of the year, which makes mosquito-borne diseases such as EEE and West Nile Virus a particular concern. Broodmares and foals may need a modified schedule, which we coordinate with our equine reproduction team.
Coggins Test
A Coggins test, also known as an Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) test, is a blood test done annually to detect antibodies to the Equine Infectious Anemia virus. Regular Coggins testing is required by the state of Florida and is necessary for horses traveling between states and for participation in horse shows.
Our in-house Coggins lab allows us to provide both routine and emergency (1-hour turnaround) tests. Need your certificate? Visit our Links page for Coggins download information.
Deworming
In an effort to reduce overuse of and resistance to the most common deworming products, we take a targeted approach to equine parasites. We do this by performing a fecal egg count. By identifying and counting the number of parasite eggs in your horse’s feces, we can determine which (if any) dewormer is most appropriate to administer to your horse and when.
How to Test
Bring a completed form, available on our Forms page, along with one fecal ball to our clinic. Fecals must be dropped off during business hours (the sample should not be more than 21 hours old at the time of collection and may be refrigerated for up to 48 hours). Call to speak to one of our doctors if you have questions about deworming.
Preventative Care for Every Stage of Life
Foals, performance horses, broodmares, and senior horses all have different needs. Senior horses may benefit from bloodwork to screen for endocrine conditions through our internal medicine services, while competition horses may need additional vaccines and travel paperwork. Our team will build a plan that fits your horse’s age, use, and lifestyle. Considering a new horse? Start with a pre-purchase examination.
Equine Preventative Medicine FAQs
Does my horse need the same vaccines as every other horse in the barn?
Your horse’s vaccination plan should reflect their individual needs. At a wellness visit, we can review their health and activities and recommend an appropriate plan.
How can a fecal egg count help guide my horse’s deworming plan?
A fecal egg count measures parasite eggs in a manure sample. The result helps us recommend a more targeted deworming plan for your horse.
If I deworm my horse twice a year, do I still need to do a fecal test?
Yes. Deworming twice a year doesn’t tell us how many parasite eggs your horse is shedding. A fecal egg count twice a year helps us tailor their deworming plan.
What is a Coggins test?
It is a blood test for antibodies to Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA). A current negative result is needed for travel and horse shows.
My horse’s Coggins has expired and we’re leaving for a show soon. Can you help?
Call our office as soon as possible. Our in-house lab offers routine Coggins testing and emergency testing when a fast turnaround is needed.
How quickly can your in-house lab provide Coggins results?
We offer an emergency Coggins testing option with a one-hour turnaround. Call us to discuss timing and availability for your horse.
Why choose an in-house Coggins lab?
When a show or a trip is coming up, timing matters. In-house testing gives our team an option to process urgent Coggins tests locally.
Keep Your Horse Healthy Year-Round
Schedule your horse’s wellness exam, vaccinations, Coggins, or fecal egg count with Harbour Ridge Equine. Call (561) 744-9026 today.