Why Are Mobile Equine Units Important
Ambulatory care for horses offers many benefits. It provides easier care for very young, sick, or old horses. You can rest easy knowing that you won't need to leave your other farm, facility, or animal-related responsibilities to seek out care for your horse. The veterinarian and their technicians will travel to you and provide necessary veterinary care at your farm.
Along with being able to meet you at your farm, these ambulatory services and equine vets can meet you on location at events, races, shows and more. In recent years, the focus on safety and care on-site has become a main focus. This push for horse safety is likely a main contributing factor to the reduction in serious and fatal injuries and long-term complications.
How an Equine Ambulance Can Help With Sport Horses
Sports horses can easily become injured while they are pushing their limits and working hard to win their events. Unfortunately, these injuries can be catastrophic, especially if they are unable to receive care right away.
This can make a difference in whether the horse recovers quickly, returns to work, is forced to retire early, or suffers from chronic pain or recurring conditions.
Common Injuries Experienced by Sports Horses
Horses are very active, and some are pushed quite hard, especially high-performance sports horses. Unfortunately, this means injuries may become more likely to occur. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Suspensory Ligament Injuries
- Deep digital flexor tendon Injuries (DDFT)
- Bone Bruises
- Joint Inflammation
- Soft Tissue Injuries
How an Ambulance Can Help During an Equine Sports Event
The ambulances are designed to handle rough ground and are stocked with specialized equipment. The mobile veterinary team has extensive horse rescue experience and is well-trained in moving injured horses quickly, safely, and humanely. When at an event, they work with trainers, on-site veterinarians and officials to assess where to position the ambulances and determine the best routes to maneuver around and exit the site.
How Non-Sports Horses Benefit from Ambulance Services
While there is a great benefit to sports horses, mobile equine ambulance units can also be helpful for regular horses as well. The veterinary team in these units can often perform routine checkups, health monitoring, care for injuries, or preventive services. This can be safer than loading a horse into a trailer and attempting to visit a clinic.
At Florida Equine Veterinary Associates, we offer ambulatory services for horses in Ocala. Our veterinarians travel with a fully stocked truck and can diagnose and treat most medical issues right at your farm. Whether it's for an unexpected injury, wound repair, X-rays, ultrasounds, or a lameness exam, our mobile veterinary team is equipped to manage any health concern on-site.
How to Find a Mobile Equine Vet in Ocala
You can look for a mobile equine vet in a few different ways. One is to do an internet search for equine ambulatory services of mobile veterinarians in your area. This will allow you to look at reviews for each one and determine which might best fit your needs. Another option is to contact your primary care veterinarian and ask for recommendations for mobile services.
Mobile Services Provided by Florida Equine Veterinary Associates
Our equine veterinary team proudly offers a range of elective performance-related diagnostic procedures using advanced mobile technologies, including:
- Digital radiography utilizing the latest wireless technology
- Digital ultrasonography
- Digital endoscopy
- Lameness and performance-related physical examinations
Once your horse has been diagnosed, our vets can provide therapies to aid in healing and improve performance. These may include:
- Ultrasound-guided joint/tendon and ligament injections
- Acupuncture
- Regenerative medicine
- Shockwave therapy
- Liquid nitrogen cryotherapy
- Stem cell therapy
- PRP / IRAP treatments
- Mesotherapy
Note: The advice in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding equine animals or professional advice regarding equine regulations. Please contact your vet to diagnose your animal's condition and help navigate regulations governing the care and transportation of equine animals.