Horse World

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If you discover your horse is sick, you may find you need to take it to the vet or horse doctor.

It is important you find a good vet who is contactable quickly as him attending to your horse at very short notice may mean the difference between life and death for your horse. 

There are several types of animal doctors who focus on specific types of animals and finding one to suit you and your horse is of paramount importance.

There is no point registering with a vet who mainly sees dogs or other domestic animals and knows very little about horses.

There are usually animal directories as well as regular directories you can search to see what vets etc are in your local area.

It is best to keep the location of your vet near-by if possible as you may have to either transport your horse to his clinic or he will more likely have to come and visit your horse at his stable.

Most vets will make home visits; ensure you choose a vet that is happy to do this as it can be difficult transporting an ill horse.
 
You should not commit to one vet until you are satisfied they are competent. A good way of finding a vet is to ask around other horse owners for their recommendations.

You need to be sure that if your horse becomes sick or is injured, he is going to receive the best possible care. Check out the vets qualifications, and see if they have a code of practice.

You may also want to check about payment details. Treating a sick horse can be horrendously expensive, especially if you do not have horse insurance. Many vets will offer payment plans to ensure the bill does not fall too heavily on to your shoulders. 

To ensure the veterinarian is going to provide you the best services, why don’t you ask him to give your horse a checkup anyway?

You will then be able to watch how the vet interacts with your horse. You will be able to see if he has empathy and if he is nervous around horses. You will also be able to check he knows what he is doing.

There are certain standards they are required to reach and specific areas of your horse that are essential to examine such as temperature, respirations, rectal and abdominal examination.

If they do not complete even basic examinations when checking out your horse or if your horse does not seem comfortable with the vet, then you need to be looking for another vet who will provide the level of competence you feel happy with.

Taking care of your horse not only means providing them with the best daily comforts, but also making sure they have the proper medical care when it is needed. 

By providing them with this care, you ensure to your best possible ability that they stay healthy and are prescribed proper medication and given essential examinations when needed.  Having your horse live a long life may depend on which vet or animal doctor you decide to choose.

Previous Articles By This Author

• Buying Your First Horse
• Equipment for Horses
• Basics of Horse Care
• Grooming your Horse
• The History of Horses