Desert Mountain Equine

04/10/2026

🩻 Fun Case Friday! 🐴

Here’s an interesting one for you 👀

Take a look at this X-ray and tell us… what do you think is going on? 🤔

👉 What stands out to you?
👉 What would be your concern?

Drop your guesses in the comments ⬇️ — we love seeing how you all think through these cases!

We’ll share the answer later, so stay tuned 👏

04/08/2026

🚨 VSV Travel Update: What You Need to Know Right Now 🐴🇨🇦

We know many of you have been hoping the travel requirements might ease up… but with another confirmed case of Vesicular Stomatitis (VSV) in Arizona, it looks like restrictions are here to stay for the time being.

Here’s a clear breakdown of what this means for travel 👇

⸻

➡️ If You’re Leaving Arizona (or any affected state)
Before you can move into a VSV-free state, you’ll need:
• A current health certificate (must be done prior to travel)
• Negative Coggins (within 1 year)
• Careful timing — some states are tightening health certificate windows

⸻

➡️ 21-Day Quarantine Requirement (for Canada-bound horses)
• Must be completed in a VSV-free state
• 21 consecutive days
• Receipts and documentation required for proof of stay
• This step is essential before re-entry into Canada

⸻

➡️ Returning to Canada
Once quarantine is complete:
• Vet re-exam required in the quarantine state
• International health certificate needed for travel
• Coggins must be within 6 months
• USDA endorsement required (can take up to ~2 weeks)

⸻

⚠️ What’s Changing Right Now
We’re seeing tighter timelines across multiple states for health certificates, for example:
• Nevada — 7 days
• Washington — 24 hours
• Oregon — 72 hours
• New Mexico — 14 days
• Montana — 7 days

With the new confirmed case, it’s also expected that Canadian border restrictions on Arizona horses will remain in place for at least 30 days from the most recent case, and possibly longer.

⸻

👉 Bottom line
If you have travel plans coming up — especially interstate or international — start planning early. A little extra preparation now can save a lot of last-minute stress later.

As always, if you need help navigating paperwork, timing, or quarantine planning, reach out to us anytime — we’re here to help keep you and your horses moving safely 🐎💙

04/08/2026

Heads up from Desert Mountain Equine — we’ve had another confirmed case of Vesicular Stomatitis (VSV) here in Arizona, per the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC).

We’re sharing their post to help keep everyone informed, but here’s what this likely means moving forward:

• Border closures (Canada):
With a new confirmed case, it’s expected that the Canadian border will remain closed to Arizona horses for at least 30 days from the most recent case (and possibly longer).

• For our Canadian clients:
Horses will need to be quarantined in a VSV-free state for 21 days before qualifying for re-entry into Canada.
They are requiring receipts and proof of quarantine, so be sure to document everything carefully.

• Travel + Health Certificates:
We have been seeing tighter restrictions across the board. Many states have shortened the validity window for health certificates, for example:
– Nevada: 7 days
– Washington: 24 hours
- Oregon: 72 Hours
- New Mexico: 14 Days
- Montana: 7 Days

Bottom line: If you have travel plans coming up, especially interstate or international, please plan ahead and give yourself extra time. These rules are shifting quickly, and we want to help you avoid any last-minute hiccups.

As always, if you have questions about travel requirements, quarantine planning, or paperwork, reach out to us — we’re here to help keep you and your horses moving safely

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04/07/2026

This sweet mare came into our clinic after foaling for a retained placenta, got taken care of, and decided a little post-baby recovery nap was in order. We love seeing all the babies this time of year and helping keep both mares and foals safe and healthy 🤍

Important things to watch for after your mare foals:

• Placenta passed within 3 hours – anything longer is considered retained and needs veterinary attention ASAP
• Make sure the entire placenta passed – it should come out complete and intact (think “Y” shape). If anything looks torn, missing, or questionable, call your vet
• Keep the placenta for your vet to examine (it tells us a lot!)
• Excessive bleeding or foul odor – not normal, call your vet
• Mare acting painful, lethargic, or off – could be early signs of complications like infection, colic or laminitis
• Foal nursing within 2 hours and up, bright, and active

Foaling season is beautiful… but it can turn quickly if something is off. When in doubt, call your vet!

We’re always here to help keep your mares happy, healthy, and ready to enjoy their new little ones 🐴✨

04/05/2026

Happy Easter from all of us at Desert Mountain Equine! 🌸🐰
We hope your day is filled with sunshine, fresh air, and time spent with the ones you love—both two-legged and four.
Don’t forget to spoil your horses with a few extra carrots today! 🥕 🐴

03/27/2026

If you’ve been curious about nebulizer treatments, this is a great post from Alpha2EQ explaining how it works.

We’re able to use this system for our patients when indicated—helping deliver treatment right where it’s needed.

03/23/2026

🔥 It only takes one hot day for things to go sideways.

When temperatures spike (especially with sudden changes), we often see an increase in:
• Horses going off feed
• Lethargy or decreased energy
• Mild to severe colic signs

Why does this happen?
Heat can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and changes in gut motility—all of which can set the stage for colic.

🔍 What to watch for:
• Not finishing meals or eating slower than normal
• Decreased water intake
• Dull attitude or reluctance to move
• Pawing, looking at their side, or laying down more than usual
• Dry or firm manure, or decreased manure production

📞 When to call your vet:
• Any signs of colic (even mild!)
• Not eating for more than one feeding
• Persistent lethargy or weakness
• No manure production or signs of dehydration

☀️ How to help your horse handle the heat:
• Ensure constant access to clean, fresh water
• Provide shade and airflow
• Offer electrolytes as needed
• Soak hay or feed to increase water intake
• Adjust riding schedules to cooler parts of the day
• Monitor closely—small changes can escalate quickly

A “quiet” horse in the heat isn’t always a comfortable one—sometimes it’s an early warning sign. Trust your instincts and don’t hesitate to reach out if something feels off.

03/17/2026

Foaling Season is Here 🐴✨

There’s nothing better than welcoming a healthy new foal into the world — and we love being part of these special moments with our clients 💙

Foaling season is exciting, but those first 24 hours are so important for setting a foal up for success.

👉 Early priorities for every newborn foal:
✔️ Standing and nursing within the first 2 hours
✔️ Making sure the mare is producing good quality colostrum
✔️ Dipping the umbilicus in chlorhexidine or iodine
✔️ Monitoring for a bright, alert foal that’s nursing regularly

One important piece we often recommend during this time is an IgG test, which helps confirm that the foal received adequate antibodies from colostrum. This is typically done between 12–24 hours of age and can be a helpful tool in identifying foals that may need a little extra support.

Every foaling looks a little different, and we’re here to help guide you through it — whether it’s your first foal or your tenth 🤍

We love getting to be part of these special moments with our clients and their growing families 🐣🐎

📞 If you have questions during foaling season or want to schedule a newborn exam, don’t hesitate to reach out!

03/09/2026

🚨 Missing Donkey – Reward Offered 🚨

One of our client’s donkeys, Pepper, is currently missing, and we are asking our community to please keep an eye out.

She was last seen heading west on Via De Arboles. Pepper is very sweet and friendly, and she loves carrots—those may help if you are able to safely approach or catch her.

Her owner is offering a reward for her safe return. If you see Pepper or have any information, please contact us immediately so we can help get her home safely. Please share this post to help spread the word and bring this sweet girl back to her owner. 💜

Call us at (480) 294-7403 or text us at (888) 793-5870 with any additional information!

02/24/2026

⏰🐴 Spring Wellness Special — Don’t Miss It! 🐴⏰

Just a reminder that our Spring Dentals & Vaccines Special is running through the end of March — and our schedule is filling up fast!

This package includes:
🦷 Dental exam & float
💉 Core 6-way vaccination
🔬 F***l egg count
💊 Sedation
🏥 Office visit

✨ 15% off when completed together

It’s the perfect time to check off annual dental care, vaccines, and deworming — and it also helps meet the wellness requirements for Platinum Colic Coverage® (complimentary colic surgery reimbursement up to $15,000 when enrolled and requirements are met).

📍 Farm calls welcome (3+ horses required for discount)

📅 Special ends March 31st.
📞 Call or text now to get on the schedule before spots are gone!

02/20/2026

🥁 Mark Your Calendars 🗓️
SUNDAY, APRIL 26th 9am-2pm

Join us for a Lower Limb Dissection Clinic!!

FREE CLINIC w/ Dr. Scott Meyer, DVM & Eddie Palacios, CJF

**If you would like to dissect your very own horse leg, please reserve for $50**

Reserve Lunch/Leg ☎️ 480.855.7963

📍 Location:
Desert Mountain Equine
24760 S Ellsworth Rd.
Queen Creek, AZ 85142

02/20/2026

⚠️ GRAPHIC PHOTOS – Surgical Images Included ⚠️
(For our “show me the cool cases” crowd… this one’s for you.)

This eye has been keeping us humble since October.

We truly threw the book at this case — medications, rechecks, treatment changes, more rechecks… and then a few more for good measure. Our goal from day one was to save the eye and keep this mare comfortable.

The first three photos show the progression over the past several months. Despite aggressive treatment, the eye remained swollen, irritated, and painful. Eventually, this wasn’t about saving an eye anymore — it was about protecting her comfort and quality of life.

After thoughtful conversations with her owner, we made the difficult but necessary decision to perform an enucleation (surgical removal of the eye).

Is it our first choice? Never.
Is it sometimes the kindest choice? Absolutely.

The good news? Horses adapt incredibly well to having one eye. Once that chronic source of pain is gone, they’re often brighter, happier, and far more comfortable — which is exactly what we’re already seeing with this girl.

We’re sharing this case for two reasons:
👀 Because we know some of you appreciate the real, behind-the-scenes medicine (fair warning — these are true surgical photos).
📣 And because eye issues in horses can escalate quickly.

If your horse shows:
• Squinting
• Excess tearing
• Swelling
• Cloudiness
• Light sensitivity
• Sudden behavior changes

Don’t wait. Eyes are always urgent.

Hard decisions are never easy — but doing what’s best for the horse always comes first. And this mare? She’s already on the road to a much more comfortable life. 💙