First Equine Veterinary Services

08/20/2025

We are seeing a ton of derm stuff lately. Tis the season for it! ☀️

These lesions were found on a patient, what do you think they are??

08/08/2025

A HUGE congratulations to Payton, one of our assistants, who is starting her first year of veterinary school at Auburn!!!

We are ✨SO✨ very proud of her and it’s been an honor to watch her learn about equine vet med and be a part of her journey to vet school!

08/05/2025

Trivia Tuesday!! 🦷🪥

1-How early should horses start having oral exams and their teeth floated??

2-Do old/retired horses need their teeth done?

Bonus if you know how many teeth horses can have! 🧐

08/01/2025

Sports Medicine Spotlight

🔹Shockwave Therapy🔹

Shockwave therapy is a non invasive treatment modality that uses high energy acoustic waves to stimulate healing within tissues. This works by stimulating proteins and growth factors within tissues for healing, increases blood flow and reduces inflammation, subsequently relieving pain.

We use shockwave therapy for treating horses with neck and back pain, tendon and ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, and even navicular issues!

Recent studies have shown that horses with asthma and EIPH (exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhaging), also known as bleeders, can benefit from shockwave therapy which decreases inflammation in asthmatic horses and reduces the risk of bleeding!

07/29/2025

Trivia Tuesday!! 🦟

Vaccines given to horses fall into 2️⃣ categories:

-core: meaning all horses regardless of age, job, or travel should be protected against; can result in mortality

-non-core: all other vaccines given for specific exposures for certain individuals (showing, geography, breeding)

What are the CORE vaccines all horses should get?? 💉

07/28/2025

What a week! 🐴💙 We celebrated Veterinary Assistant Week with a little extra love for our incredible support staff — the backbone of First Equine. Every day brought small goodies and big smiles, but nothing could truly capture the appreciation we have for this hardworking, compassionate crew.

We wrapped up the week with our favorite tradition: the Annual First Equine Olympics! 🏆 Things got competitive, sweaty, and silly — just the way we like it.
🎉 Congratulations to our 2025 FE Olympics Champion: Extern Sam!
🥈 Licensed Tech Abby brought the heat and took second place.
🥉 Dr. Kristin held her own and rounded out the podium with a solid third!

Thank you to every single member of our team who shows up each day with heart, hustle, and a sense of humor. You’re the real MVPs. 💪💕

07/21/2025

We are wondering what YOU want to hear about at our next client education event!

We have not set a date yet, but are trying to get things organized for the rest of the year!

Leave a comment below on what you would like to learn more about!

07/18/2025

A message from the Firsts:

The past 12 months have been quite a roller coaster for our family and practice that has been unlike anything we have experienced. From a growing family to a significant injury and temporary disability, a lot has been different-both privately and professionally. For most of this year, our appointment availability was difficult to navigate with only two doctors both for regular appointments and managing on call.

We wanted to send a heartfelt thank you to our clients and friends that have been so understanding of this difficult season in our lives. We know it affected you and your horses and came with frustrations on your end. That did not go unnoticed. We also realize the difficult strain it put on our staff who stepped up and helped keep everything together, including longer hours and filling in areas that were needed.

Despite the few months of struggle and limitations, we are happy to announce we are back to operating as a four doctor practice! We are now accepting new clients again and our appointment availability in most areas is much quicker than it has been. Dr. Brittany is back to work and is seeing patients again for spinal manipulation, as well as other appointments!! Dr. Kristin is also now taking on appointments as well!

Again, we want to thank you for your patience with us over the last year. We are committed to providing excellent service to our patients and clients and are honored to be a trusted part of your horse’s team.

~Dr.’s Brittany and Patrick First

07/17/2025

Last week, Dr. Kristin spoke at Linda's Learning Farm and Play Park summer camp and even brought some teeth to show the campers!

07/15/2025

Trivia Tuesday! 💫

What do you think these lesions are on this sweet Jenny’s face?

Tell us what you think below!

07/14/2025

🔹Sports Medicine Spotlight🔹

✨Joint Health Products✨

There are several evidence based joint health products available to help keep horses in tip top shape and feeling great. When given, these products directly target joints throughout the body to calm down inflammation and protect joint health.

➡️Scroll down to see our new program we are launching!!

🔹 Adequan® (Polysulfated Glycosaminoglycan – PSGAG)

Adequan repairs cartilage and slows down the progression of degenerative joint disease.

How it works:
• Stimulates production of proteoglycans to rebuild damaged cartilage
• Inhibits destructive enzymes and inflammatory mediators
• Increases synovial fluid production and quality
• True disease modification—not just symptom relief

🔹 Pentosan (Zycosan® – Pentosan Polysulfate)

A versatile injectable that offers cartilage protection, inflammation reduction, and enhanced healing.

How it works:
• Lowers joint-damaging cytokines and prostaglandins
• Inhibits enzymes that degrade cartilage
• Stimulates cartilage repair and improves joint circulation
• Enhances synovial fluid for better lubrication

📊 *In FDA trials, horses treated with Pentosan showed 60% improvement vs. 36% in placebo.* 🤩

🔹 Hyaluronic Acid (IV HA)

A fast-acting intravenous injection that brings quick relief for inflammation and is ideal for horses in high-impact work or with active synovitis.

How it works:
• Replenishes hyaluronic acid in the joint
• Improves viscosity and joint lubrication
• Reduces inflammation and stiffness
• Supports short- and mid-term mobility

🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹🔹

🔊🔊Announcement🔊🔊

We’re excited to roll out our brand new ➡️monthly joint care program⬅️ designed to help your horse stay comfortable, sound, and active—whether they’re in the prime of their career or enjoying a well-earned retirement!

These joint health options mentioned above are now available with us as affordable, monthly maintenance plans—administered by our team, on your farm, with convenience in mind. 🤩

🔹Joint Care Plan Details:

* Prices include a split farm call
* Injections are given by a First Equine-employed technician
* Minimum 3 horses per farm required for scheduling

🔹Adequan-$85/month
🔹Zycosan-$125/month
🔹Hyaluronic Acid- $100/month

🔔 Please note :Monthly pricing does not include the cost of the initial loading dose, which is highly recommended.

Check your email tonight for more details!! 🔔 Please note a lot of emails are going to spam, so be sure to check there so you don’t miss it!

First Equine Veterinary Services is a full service equine ambulatory practice based out of Mobile, A