A vet is your partner in maintaining your horse's health so it's important to make sure the vet you choose is the best fit for both you and your horse. Do you know what traits you should be looking for in a great equine vet?

Listening to the Owner

Any good vet needs to have the ability and willingness to listen to the horse owner. A good vet should listen to and acknowledge your concerns, and should also have a conversation with you about your horse’s condition, potential treatments, and overall prognosis.

When you’re talking with a vet, you shouldn’t feel like the vet is rushing the conversation (unless the vet has received an emergency call – then you need to make an exception). And while a vet may have a different approach to horse care or a different view of your horse’s health than you do, a good vet will also be willing to listen to your perspective.

Understanding the Demands of Your Type of Riding

While your vet doesn’t have to compete in eventing or reining, it helps if he understands the demands your sport places on your horse. This can come into play when you start getting your horse in shape after a lay-off.

Answering Owner Questions

Answering owner questions is an imperative trait of any good vet. You should feel that you are able to ask your vet any concerns you might have about your horse’s health. In some cases, symptoms raised through questions can help your vet pinpoint medical issues that may be plaguing your horse. Asking questions help better inform you about your horse’s health and any changes that you may make to keep him healthy or improve his health. And most importantly, your vet should never act like you are silly for asking questions.   

Staying on Top of New Veterinary Advancements

A great equine vet will make an effort to stay on top of new medical advancements. Veterinary studies, treatments, and procedures are constantly being revised, discovered, and released. A vet who stays on top of the news and advancements in the veterinary field can better treat his or her equine patients. Classic Equine Equipment manufactures products that benefit not only personal barns but also commercial facility and equine hospitals and clinics. From safe footing and proper ventilation, having updated equipment can be very useful in a clinic when treating animals. 

Offering Emergency Coverage

Emergencies always happen at the most inopportune times. Nights, weekends, and holidays seem to be the occasions during which your horse will become seriously ill or injured. Even if a vet practices solo, it’s important that he or she offers emergency coverage. Whether it means securing another vet to stand in or making arrangements with another practice to handle client emergencies, a great vet will ensure that help will be available if or when you need it, even if it’s during the off-hours.

Great vets possess the above traits, and more. Most importantly, they all have a true commitment to keeping their equine patients healthy.

Check out Tennessee Equine Hospital: