One of the greatest fears for a rider is that their once-in-a-lifetime horse will become injured. In 2019, this worry turned into a reality for Rileigh Tibbott who was thinking about retiring her heart horse, Charley. Before making that difficult decision, Tibbott decided to take Charley to Dr. Bryan Dubynsky of Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) in Wellington, FL, for another opinion. Although it took more than a year, the decision to trust PBEC with Charley’s care ended up changing the outcome of his career as a performance horse.
Rileigh Tibbott and Charley. Photo by Jacquie Porcaro
Tibbott and her show jumping mount Charley, a now 14-year-old Warmblood gelding by Numero Uno, competed together in the Under 25 division and at the FEI three-star level. At the time, the main cause of Charley’s lameness was soreness in his front feet. After meeting with Tibbott and examining Charley, Dr. Dubynsky felt that he could work with Charley’s farrier to help the gelding.
“Instead of doing MRIs or any other diagnostic work I focused on working with Rileigh and the farrier as a team to get him shod properly,” explained Dr. Dubynsky. “My pitch to Rileigh was to fix the foundation on the horse. He was foot sore but I thought most of the issue was due to being improperly trimmed. There was a lot of excess foot on him, and a lot of foot imbalance. He also had some coffin joint compression areas that needed to be alleviated.”
Once Dr. Dubynsky began working with Rileigh’s farrier, the team found success almost immediately and Charley was able to return to the show ring.
Unfortunately, since Charley had gone so long with poor foot balance, he had also developed sidebones, a condition that results in the ossification of the collateral cartilages of the foot. The condition causes the collateral cartilages, which are found on the inside and outside of the foot, to become a harder and less flexible bone. Normally it is not problematic unless the sidebones become excessive. If that happens, a horse can more easily hit themselves in that area and fracture the sidebones causing lameness. At the beginning of 2020, Charley’s sidebones became an issue when he was competing on the grass derby field during the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington, FL.
“Charley overstepped taking off to a jump and his hind studs tore through and cut one of his sidebones,” recalled Tibbott. “Unfortunately, after getting stitched up Charley developed an infection. This extended his recovery time and we spent months trying to get him sound again. Charley does not do well with time off so while trying to bring him back from that injury he managed to keep re-injuring himself. The most difficult injury was a suspensory issue in his left hind in April 2020.
Rileigh Tibbott and Charley. Photo by SportFot.
“We tried multiple times for many months to start him back but every time it seemed as though jumping would not be an option for him again,” continued Tibbott of Charley’s recovery process. “Dr. Dubynsky knew how much this horse meant to me and really thought outside the box while trying to treat him. I had a few other veterinarians tell me that he needed to be retired but Dr. Dubynsky really fought to get him back in the ring for me.”
Dr. Dubynsky recommended a plan to bring him back slowly rather than giving up. The regimen included frequent check-ups and a close partnership with both the farrier and Tibbott. Dr. Dubynsky also injected areas he felt would help make Charley more comfortable and aid in his recovery.
“We injected his coffin joints and around the sidebones,” commented Dr. Dubynsky. “Most importantly, every several months we would repeat foot x-rays and make sure we were getting a proper balance trim. I always emphasize the trim, not being shod. For me, it’s 90% how you trim the foot and then 10% what you are putting on the bottom of it. The relationship between the vet and farrier was critical during Charley’s recovery process.”
Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
After a total of 19 months, Charley made a full recovery and was able to successfully return to the show ring. Although Charley is now back competing, Dr. Dubynsky continues to check in on Charley regularly and work closely with the farrier to ensure Charley is performing at his best.
“My goal is to have him back in the grand prix ring,” said Tibbott of her plans for Charley. “Without Dr. Dubynsky and our access to such a world-class facility at PBEC, I think Charley’s outcome would have been very different.”
The phrase “It takes a village” is commonly heard in the equestrian world. From the groom and barn manager to the professional rider, there are multiple individuals who help a horse reach its full potential and continue performing at its best. Although many people may think a veterinarian is who you call only when tragedy strikes, Palm Beach Equine Clinic’s team of veterinarians pride themselves on being an integral part of a horse and rider’s success. For Megan McDermott, a young show-jumping professional, Palm Beach Equine Clinic’s team of professionals has been there every step of the way.
McDermott, who started riding at the age of seven, originally planned to have a career in the film industry after graduating college and continue riding as an amateur. However, after a fateful meeting with Daniel Bluman and months under his mentorship and coaching, McDermott began spending more time in the saddle and eventually made a full career switch. “I remember my first Saturday Night Light class was a three-star grand prix at the Winter Equestrian Festival, and at the time, I had just turned pro so I didn’t have a trainer,” shared McDermott. “Dr. Richard Wheeler was the last person to speak to me before I went into the ring and the first person I saw when I came out.
“Not only is he a fantastic veterinarian, but he also acts as an advocate and understands that you’re doing this because you love horses and that there’s a business aspect to it as well,” she continued. “He’s able to give phenomenal advice and really understands the rider’s perspective. He also understands the trajectory of the horses’ careers and at what point they need to peak and is very conscious of your money, your time, and of course, your horses’ careers. He’s more than just a veterinarian, and I think all his clients feel that their wins are his wins.”
During the summer, McDermott spends a lot of her time traveling to different shows in the Northeast, sometimes making it difficult for her horses to be seen by their primary veterinarian. “If Richard can’t see me where I am during the summer, he’s extremely willing to collaborate with other veterinarians,” she noted.
McDermott recalled when her horse Tizimin LS sustained a severe injury while competing at HITS Saugerties in 2018. “Tizi was my first FEI horse, and we shared a really special bond,” she commented. “We were competing in a big jumper class and going clear, and then at the last jump, something happened, and his hind end just gave out. At the time, people thought he was going to have to be put down in the ring. It was horrible.”
She continued, “Dr. Sarah Allendorf was there at the ring when it happened. Richard wasn’t there, but he had dealt with something similar before, and he was the only person who told me Tizi would be able to recover. We sent Tizi to Rhinebeck [Animal Hospital], and Richard was there for me every step of the way. He was constantly talking to all the veterinarians there and so invested in helping me get him back into the ring.” Tizi stayed at Rhinebeck for three months before getting the green light to return home, where he continued to recover and returned to the FEI ring in 2020.
Although Dr. Wheeler is McDermott’s primary veterinarian, she shared that her success is thanks to a collaborative effort with other veterinarians at Palm Beach Equine Clinic.
McDermott explained, “All of the veterinarians there are extremely collaborative. Most veterinarians get very possessive in a way that makes them single-minded, but I think it’s really important to be open to different perspectives and be creative, and all of the veterinarians at Palm Beach Equine have been like that for me. Although Richard is my primary veterinarian, Dr. Sarah Allendorf, Dr. Laura Hutton, and Dr. Selina Watt have also done a lot for me and my horses. Managing sport horses is a bit of an art form, and I think they all understand sport horses a lot more than most veterinarians do.”
Equine ulcers have long been a common concern for horse owners. Our understanding of ulcers has dramatically improved over time through medical advancement, and there is currently more nuance to the diagnostics, treatment, and management of horses suffering from these internal sores. Gastroscopy and ultrasound have become more readily available, and their increased accessibility have allowed non-specialty practitioners more experience and a greater comfort level with these tools. These developments throughout the industry have led to more animals being correctly diagnosed and appropriately treated.
Jordan Lewis, DVM of Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) sees a variety of equine ulcer cases. She breaks them down into three categories: gastric ulcer disease of the squamous mucosa, gastric ulceration of the glandular mucosa, and colon ulcers of the right dorsal colon.
Equine gastric ulcer disease of the squamous mucosa refers to the ulcers found on the stomach’s inner lining closer to the esophagus. They are primarily caused by exposure to stomach acid and vary in severity depending on the amount of time the stomach’s lining has been in contact with the stomach acid.
“We often see this increased stomach acid exposure with the squamous mucosa in performance horses due to the mechanical aspects of exercise and abdominal pressure,” Dr. Lewis described. “The increase in acid production and contact time can also be seen in fasting animals and animals with delayed gastric emptying or slowed motility.”
Glandular mucosa describes the stomach lining around the pyloric region closer to the intestines. Ulcers found here are typically caused by a decrease in mucosal blood-flow as well as a decrease in mucus production, which normally serves as a protective barrier for the stomach lining. Stress and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as phenylbutazone (“bute”) or flunixin meglumine (“Banamine®”) are the usual culprits in this case.
Similarly, ulcers found in the colon are also usually caused by stress and NSAID administration, leading to a decrease in the mucosal wall protection resulting in ulceration and inflammation.
“In some cases with colon ulcers of the right dorsal colon, we see minimal thickening noted on the right abdominal wall, but other times it can be more severe thickening with more ominous clinical signs of colic, fever, hypoalbuminemia (protein loss), ventral and limb edema, and diarrhea,” detailed Dr. Lewis.
The tricky thing about ulcers is that they do not always present with the same symptoms in every horse. It can be difficult to know when it’s time to be a little more invasive in order to take a closer look at a horse’s digestive system. At a minimum, persistent symptoms warrant a veterinarian consultation.
“The range of symptoms can vary from mild to severe,” Dr. Lewis explained. “The horse might be being a picky eater, or they might exhibit moderate to severe colic symptoms like signs of abdominal discomfort such as pawing or rolling. Even still, some horses present with the only outward sign being poor performance.”
Dr. Lewis uses varying diagnostic tools for a complete understanding of the affliction. Sometimes she will perform the Succeed test, which is a fecal test that generally helps indicate the presence of ulcers. Another option is to perform a gastroscopy with a three-meter endoscope to see the stomach where both forms of gastric ulcers are found. Ultrasound is the primary diagnostic tool to look for thickening of the right dorsal colon wall indicating ulceration in the colon. Basic bloodwork to determine total albumin, a protein made by the liver, also helps indicate more severe cases of colon ulcers.
Once a horse has been diagnosed with ulcers of any variety it’s important to begin treatment, especially since horses suffering from ulcers are predisposed to colic. Because each type of ulcer disease has a different underlying cause, the treatment protocol and medications are also different.
Though omeprazole paste used to be thought of as the cure-all, today we know that it is only part of the puzzle. Dr. Lewis recommends an omeprazole paste for at least a four-week period and uses other medications in conjunction with this depending on what type of ulcer she is treating. For horses that have ulcers of the squamous mucosa experiencing more severe, colic-like symptoms, Dr. Lewis adds a dose of sucralfate before meals to the protocol. If she finds ulcers in the glandular and pyloric region of the stomach, misoprostol and prostaglandin analog is used. For ulcers of the right dorsal colon, sucralfate is used as a coating agent while misoprostol is used as a treatment.
In addition to medication, some lifestyle adjustments can aid in maintaining an ulcer-free digestive tract. “It’s helpful if we can provide a more natural, less stressful environment for these horses with continuous grazing on pasture or hay as well as more turnout,” stated Dr. Lewis.
She continued, “Horses with gastric ulcers do well on adding alfalfa hay as a buffering agent before a grain meal, while horses with colon ulcers do well on a low-bulk diet, meaning less forage and a more complete feed-based pellet. Adding a psyllium-based supplement can be helpful for these horses too.”
Even with the best curative efforts, some horses can continue to suffer from ulcers, underscoring the importance of monitoring your horse for any changes even after treatment. Because sport horses have an increased likelihood of developing gastric ulcers due to exercise, their constant work also increases the odds of them have recurring ulcers. Personality and demeanor also play a part.
“Horses that have recurrent ulcer disease tend to be horses that internalize more and are stressed easily,” said Dr. Lewis.
She highlighted some additional measures that can be taken to help continuously protect the stomach’s lining, noting the importance of a regulated diet and more opportunity to relax, as well as treatment with a prophylactic dose of omeprazole paste.
If you think your horse feels a little off from their normal behavior, it might be time to discuss different diagnostic options with your veterinarian. Trust your gut – it might just help your horse’s too.
Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center hosted area first responders at its facility in Loxahatchee, FL, on December 6, 2021. The annual event provides training by veterinarians from PBEC for first responders in handling horses during an emergency. The Winter Equestrian Festival season sees the influx of thousands of horses each winter. These sessions have successfully educated area first responders in equine care during a crisis to create a safer community for the horses.
Dr. Janet Greenfield-Davis giving the demonstration to the area first responders. Photos courtesy of Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center.
In order for a racehorse to successfully speed down the track, a jumper to navigate a quick and clear round, or a dressage horse to perform a picture-perfect test, the horse must have a healthy respiratory system.
Regardless of discipline or level of training, it is key to ensure a horse is breathing properly for its overall wellbeing.
If a horse is having respiratory problems, there are several ways that a veterinarian can investigate the issue. One of the most effective tools is a dynamic endoscope, a video recording device that can be worn by the horse during exercise to observe the respiratory system while they are active.
Respiratory Specialist, Dr. David Priest of Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC), focuses on upper airway diagnosis and surgery for equine athletes and often uses a dynamic endoscope to evaluate his patients.
The equine respiratory system is responsible for bringing large amounts of oxygen in and out of the lungs, where it is then used to fuel complex bodily processes. It comprises two sections, the upper and lower airways. The upper airway begins with the nostrils and extends through the larynx and into the trachea. The lower airway is made up of the lungs, which rest behind the shoulder, extend up the back, and reach toward the end of the ribcage.
Dr. David Priest
Photo by Jump Media
“Even a small decrease in lung capacity or impingement on airflow can have dramatic effects on overall health and performance,” described Dr. Priest. “Problems affecting the upper and lower airways may overlap but can include coughing or odd noises, exercise intolerance, nasal discharge, or labored breathing at rest.”
During exercise, the amount of air moved in and out of the horse increases proportionately to how hard the horse is working. The more demanding the work, the more oxygen must be used. A horse at rest inhales approximately 3.5 liters of air per second (L/s), and increases exponentially to 70 L/s at maximum exertion, according to Dr. Priest.
“If a horse is showing signs of difficulties in its respiratory health, veterinarians may use radiography or ultrasound to image the lungs,” explained Dr. Priest. “Going beyond greyscale images [such as radiographs], the veterinarian may also evaluate the upper respiratory tract through the use of an endoscope. An endoscope is a medical device with a small lens on the end that can be inserted through the horse’s nostril to view the horse’s pharynx.”
A dynamic endoscope on a harness race horse.
Photo courtesy of PBEC
If a horse is having trouble breathing only while working, it is necessary for a veterinarian to be able to evaluate them while they are active. To perform that assessment, a dynamic endoscope is used. This allows veterinarians to examine the horse’s pharynx, epiglottis, and trachea in motion. The dynamic endoscope will detect throat abnormalities and provide more information on respiratory issues or problems that are not seen when the horse is resting.
“The soft tissue structures of the horse’s upper airway experience a significant amount of force when the horse is exercising,” remarked Dr. Priest. “There is also a significant difference in resting and exercising forces, and this causes the upper airway tissues to appear anatomically normal at rest, even if they are functioning abnormally during exercise.”
A dynamic endoscope is often used with horses that have recurrent laryngeal neuropathy, commonly known as “roaring.” Recurrent laryngeal neuropathy restricts the amount of air able to reach the lungs through the horse’s upper respiratory system. This is a useful tool to diagnose the problem and also to evaluate the effectiveness of the surgery.
Respiratory difficulties during exercise can have a significant negative impact on a horse’s health and performance. A dynamic endoscope is a valuable and informative tool in Equine Sports Medicine. Once the issue is identified, there are several treatment or surgical options to address specific respiratory illness. If your horse is making an abnormal noise during exercise, or if you suspect breathing problems, contact your veterinarian to make sure your horse is performing at its best.
Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC), an exceptional equine healthcare facility, will return as the Official Veterinarian of the 2022 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) running through April 3, 2022, at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) and Equestrian Village in Wellington, FL. PBEC also provides Official Veterinarian services for the 2022 season at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Palm Beach Equine Clinic is celebrating its 40th anniversary of providing top equine health care to both the year-round residents as well as horses coming for the winter season. The state-of-the-art facility is located at the intersection of Southfields and Pierson Roads in the center of Wellington, right down the road from PBIEC, the Equestrian Village, and the International Polo Club Palm Beach.
Palm Beach Equine Clinic is located at the intersection of Southfields and Pierson Roads in the center of Wellington. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography.
The team at Palm Beach Equine Clinic includes more than 35 veterinarians and provides expertise in almost all areas of equine health and treatment. Palm Beach Equine Clinic offers specialized sports medicine with trusted veterinarians and staff that understand the commitment it takes to care for a high-level equine competitor. The talented team offers a wide variety of services such as internal medicine, emergency care, reproduction and fertility, alternative medicine, regenerative medicine, dentistry, podiatry, and more.
Palm Beach Equine Clinic provides cutting-edge technology paired with knowledgeable and dedicated staff. The facility offers advanced diagnostic imaging with board-certified radiologists on staff as well as surgical services with three board-certified surgeons. Additionally, all primary veterinarians can refer clients to Palm Beach Equine Clinic for their innovative imaging technologies and surgical center.
Palm Beach Equine Clinic veterinarians will be in the annex office on the PBIEC showgrounds and services will be available in the adjoining barn during WEF and AGDF.
In addition to the full-service equine clinic, Palm Beach Equine Clinic veterinarians will be on the showgrounds at the annex office located adjacent to the WEF stabling office on the PBIEC showgrounds. Palm Beach Equine Clinic veterinarians will be onsite daily during WEF and AGDF to assist all competing horses throughout the shows with performance evaluations, diagnostics, and treatments, as well as emergency care and standard horse care needs.
“It’s always an honor to take care of the best horses in the world that come to Wellington each winter,” said Palm Beach Equine Clinic President Dr. Scott Swerdlin. “Being on-site at the showgrounds really allows us to provide high- quality and immediate veterinary care for all of the horses competing.”
Offering exceptional knowledge, capabilities, and commitment, the team at Palm Beach Equine Clinic is thrilled to once again help equine athletes perform to the best of their abilities during the Wellington winter show season and beyond.
Colic is every horse owner’s worst nightmare, but when the colicking patient is also pregnant, colic emergencies pose an even bigger challenge for their owner and the team of veterinarians entrusted with their care. In late February, a pregnant mare was brought to Palm Beach Equine Clinic by her owner for colic. Leading the PBEC team on this case were Drs Justin McNaughten DACT, Peter Heidmann, DACVIM, and Elizabeth Barrett, DACVS-LA. We spoke with Dr. McNaughten about the steps he and the team took to keep both the mare and foal safe.
What was the mare’s status when she was admitted to the clinic?
The presenting complaint was colic. At the time of admission, the mare had an elevated heart rate of 120 beats per minute. We then passed a nasogastric tube, which resulted in approximately 15 liters of spontaneous reflux. Once the stomach was decompressed, we proceeded with the rest of the colic work-up. As the mare was in the later stage of pregnancy, the foal occupied the majority of the abdomen. Findings on rectal palpation and abdominal ultrasound were inconclusive. The working diagnosis was ileus or decreased gut motility, but the root cause was still unknown. As part of the medical treatment, the mare had to be fasted. We started her on IV fluids with prokinetics, electrolytes, and dextrose as a source of nutritional support for the foal. Overnight, the mare remained comfortable but continued to have small amounts of reflux. The next morning, she was showing new signs of gas distension, which were not present at the time of admission. An abdominocentesis or ab-tap revealed elevations from the normal peritoneal fluid values suggesting that surgery was warranted.
What factors did you take into consideration before deciding to treat the mare?
When we are dealing with pregnant mares, we often make decisions based on the stage of pregnancy. The biggest obstacle is trying to treat the mare and doing what is safe for the foal in utero. For example, we may use different medications that are safe during one stage of pregnancy and not another, or delay procedures until after the mare delivers the foal. In this case, the owner didn’t have an ovulation date because the breeding had occurred in a paddock. A couple of diagnostic tests can be used to provide a rough estimate of the foal’s gestational age, measuring fetal orbit and the fetal aortic diameter. The results are interpreted as a rough estimate as the reference values have not been determined for each breed. Unfortunately, in the mare, gestation length does not correlate with fetal readiness or her foal’s ability to survive once it’s born. We also performed a diagnostic test to help determine fetal readiness based on evaluating the mare’s mammary secretions. In this case, we specifically measured the pH level.
Based on the mare’s need for colic surgery and the pH levels of her mammary secretions, the team of specialists discussed the options, weighing a fairly extensive list of potential risk factors for the mare and the foal. The owner was presented with the options of performing colic surgery with the foal still in utero or inducing parturition and performing colic surgery once she foaled. At the owner’s request, we induced foaling, which carries its own set of risks and can be life-threatening to both the mare and foal.
In this case, fortune was on our side. Following a successful assisted vaginal delivery, the newborn filly was hitting each of our targets for neonates. Although the filly was not showing any external signs of prematurity, we took radiographs of the knees and hocks as a precaution. The x-rays showed that the filly was a bit premature based on the incomplete ossification of the cuboidal bones, which make up the knees and hocks.
Following the delivery, the mare was then taken into surgery. During the colic surgery, Dr. Barrett identified and removed a very large fecalith, which we assumed was the root of the problem as it had the potential to obstruct the bowel. A fecalith is a hard concretion of ingested material that may increase in size and end up being a blockage in the gastrointestinal tract.
What did their postoperative care look like?
Post-surgery, the mare did very well. While hospitalized, she remained comfortable, tolerated refeeding, and displayed great maternal behavior. The filly was started on prophylactic antibiotics and given milk initially through a feeding tube until the mare had enough milk to sustain the foal. Approximately 48 hours after foaling, the filly developed signs of neonatal maladjustment syndrome, which manifests as neurologic abnormalities. One moment the foal was healthy, bright, and nursing, and the next, she was dull, listless, and disoriented. The condition subsided following IV administration of neuroprotective agents and through the use of the Madigan foal squeeze technique. The Madigan squeeze technique is a physical compression procedure that involves wrapping a foal’s upper torso with loops of soft rope and applying pressure for 20 minutes, which replicates the compression a foal experiences during birth.
Post-surgery, the mare did very well. While hospitalized, she remained comfortable, tolerated refeeding, and displayed great maternal behavior. The filly was started on prophylactic antibiotics and given milk initially through a feeding tube until the mare had enough milk to sustain the foal. Approximately 48 hours after foaling, the filly developed signs of neonatal maladjustment syndrome, which manifests as neurologic abnormalities. One moment the foal was healthy, bright, and nursing, and the next, she was dull, listless, and disoriented. The condition subsided following IV administration of neuroprotective agents and through the use of the Madigan foal squeeze technique. The Madigan squeeze technique is a physical compression procedure that involves wrapping a foal’s upper torso with loops of soft rope and applying pressure for 20 minutes, which replicates the compression a foal experiences during birth.
After a few days, both mare and foal were discharged to the care of the farm. At home, the pair were placed on stall rest followed by additional exercise restrictions allowing time for the mare’s abdominal incision to heal and the filly’s cuboidal bones to fully mature. Now, exactly one month later, I’m happy to say that both the mare and her foal are thriving.
Palm Beach Equine Clinic is available 24/7 for any equine emergency and works regularly with referring veterinarians. For more information, call 561-793-1599.
Wellington, FL – March 21, 2022 – Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) announced the addition of the innovative care program AcutePlus™ to its cutting-edge suite of client services. A long-time leader in equine veterinary care, PBEC is the first veterinary clinic in the United States to offer the service designed to help eliminate barriers to treatment and minimize risk of ownership related to veterinary care.
AcutePlus™ is a wellness-centric preventative care membership program focused on delivering excellence in horse health through preemptive treatments, essential care, and access to acute care.
PBEC will be adding AcutePlus™, a veterinary wellness program, to its list of client services. Photo courtesy of PBEC
“We believe that AcutePlus™ is a game-changer for horse owners,” said Palm Beach Equine Clinic President Dr. Scott Swerdlin. “With this innovative program, they can be assured that they have the ability to make the best heath care choices for their horse.”
“We are innovators at VenturePlus™,” said Ghen Sugimoto CEO of AcutePlus™. “It has been a great pleasure to work with such like-minded individuals at the top of their field at Palm Beach Equine Clinic to help them develop a program that further allows them take the very best care of their patients. AcutePlus™ puts Palm Beach Equine clients in the best position to care for their horses particularly on the worst days, when it matters the most. Additionally, we are proud to be able support Palm Beach Equine Clinic’s efforts to mentor up-and-coming veterinarians through donations from our AcutePlus Foundation™.”
PBEC will offer four tiers of AcutePlus™ membership protection to meet the level of coverage needed by each client. AcutePlus™ plans provide a range of concierge member support, customary care benefits, acute medical benefits, and mortality benefits along with exclusive member opportunities, loyalty points, and more.
PBEC will offer Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum membership levels of AcutePlus™.
The AcutePlus™ membership plans have two categories of benefits: customary care and acute medical care and mortality. Customary care benefits cover routine care costs like farm calls, routine vaccinations, dental floats, physical exams, microchips, complete blood counts, and Coggins tests.
Acute medical care is an important component of the extensive benefits offered through AcutePlus™. A platinum membership provides up to $10,000 per year in financial support for acute care medical bills such as surgical and non-surgical colic, choke, lacerations, eye injuries, acute onset laminitis, bowed tendons, fractured leg, and other urgent medical issues. Advanced diagnostics such as MRI and CT scan benefits are also included under the acute medical benefits portion of the plan. If the unthinkable happens and a member horse’s life is lost, AcutePlus™ can also provide up to $150,000 in equine mortality benefits.
Clients enrolled in AcutePlus™ can use their membership benefits around the globe with any licensed veterinarian. Photo courtesy of PBEC
Palm Beach Equine Clinic clients enrolled in AcutePlus™ can utilize their benefits with any licensed veterinarian anywhere in the world, not only when using PBEC’s services directly. After enrolling in AcutePlus™, when you use Palm Beach Equine Clinic for services, you maximize your benefits, and they will automatically apply a credit directly to your bill. Your membership benefits will travel with your horse around the globe, no matter how far away from Wellington you travel – extending your world-class veterinary care anywhere in the world.
Please visit AcutePlus.com for additional information or to activate your membership. Whether your horse is a competitor, a companion, or a world champion, there is an AcutePlus™ plan designed for you.
For questions regarding AcutePlus™ at Palm Beach Equine Clinic, call Dr. Scott Swerdlin at 561-793-1599.
About Palm Beach Equine Clinic Palm Beach Equine Clinic is a full-service medical facility offering care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Equipped with a surgical center, advanced diagnostic imaging units, laboratory, pharmacy, reproductive station and breeding shed, recovery stalls, and isolation unit, Palm Beach Equine Clinic has the necessary tools for diagnosing and treating a variety of cases. Palm Beach Equine Clinic is ideally based in the international hub of elite equestrian competition, Wellington, Florida, and is within riding distance of the Winter Equestrian Festival, Global Dressage Festival, and International Polo Club. Palm Beach Equine Clinic is proud to care for all horses, whether they are an Olympic level athlete, trusted show pony or reliable trail horse.
Visit EquineClinic.com to learn more about Palm Beach Equine Clinic and follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
AcutePlus™ benefits vary by membership plan. Benefits referenced in this article reflect the AcutePlus™ Platinum Membership offered through Palm Beach Equine Clinic. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit AcutePlus.com to review all terms and conditions.
Wellington, FL – March 18, 2022 – Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) is excited to announce a new partnership with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute (HEMI), one of the leading equine medical centers in advanced reproductive medicine. Through the partnership, equine reproductive specialists will work collaboratively with the team at PBEC to expand upon the traditional services currently being offered.
While Dr. Justin McNaughten and Dr. Robert Smith will lead the team in Wellington, Dr. Karen Wolfsdorf, Dr. Karen Von Dollen and Dr. Kristina Lu from HEMI will provide assistance with advanced reproductive services. Dr. McNaughten received his BVMS from the University of Glasgow, School of Veterinary Medicine in Glasgow, UK. After completing a fellowship and residency he became a board-certified theriogenologist working in early embryonic loss, mare infertility, and stallion behavior as well as general reproduction and assisted reproductive techniques.
“It’s a new adventure using the equine reproductive specialists from HEMI to work collaboratively with Palm Beach Equine,” McNaughten commented. “The big thing is to tap into the more advanced artificial assisted reproductive techniques specifically for our sport horse and competition mares.”
Dr. Wolfsdorf emphasized that the partnership between the two clinics helps to provide a streamlined approach to their equine patients throughout the year. “Horses travel, so when they move north, to Kentucky per se, they’ll get the continued specialized care. It may not be the same individual but as a team, there will be open communication,” she explained.
Dr. Robert Smith searching for an embryo at PBEC. Photo courtesy of PBEC
One of the advanced services that will be incorporated into PBEC’s reproduction program is Transvaginal Aspiration (TVA) of the oocyte from the mare’s ovary. Oocytes are processed and shipped to a specialized Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) laboratory. The ICSI procedure involves the micro-injection of a single sperm cell into a mature oocyte to produce an embryo. Dr. Von Dollen explained, “Oocyte aspiration offers an opportunity to salvage the reproductive potential of subfertile mares or stallions. Furthermore, embryos can be produced without the need to interrupt a mare’s competition schedule for insemination and embryo flushing,” she added.
PBEC will offer both traditional and advanced reproduction and fertility services. Photo courtesy of PBEC
Palm Beach Equine Clinic will offer these new advanced techniques along with all of the traditional services whether at the equine hospital or in a private barn. With expert care and advanced practices, PBEC maximizes the likelihood of a successful pregnancy and to produce the talent of the future.
To learn more about the routine and advanced reproductive services offered this season contact PBEC at 561-793-1599, HEMI 859-255-8741 or visit www.EquineClinic.com or www.Hagyard.com. Follow Palm Beach Equine Clinic and Hagyard Equine Medical Institute on Facebook and Instagram to see more about the clinic, its vets, and those they serve.
Equine Veterinary Care Available at PBIEC Showgrounds Annex Office
One of the world’s premier veterinary facilities, Palm Beach Equine Clinic, will return as the Official Veterinarians of the 2020 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) running January 8 through March 29 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL.
With the health and welfare of equine athletes a top priority for the upcoming winter show jumping and dressage competition seasons, Palm Beach Equine Clinic will continue more than three decades of service to both the year-round residents and visiting horses of south Florida. The clinic’s world-renowned facility is conveniently located at the intersection of Southfields Road and Pierson Road in the heart of Wellington, just minutes from PBIEC, the Equestrian Village, and the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Palm Beach Equine Clinic comprises over 35 veterinarians, with board-certified surgeons and internists, and robust support by knowledgeable technicians and staff. Palm Beach Equine Clinic offers exceptional veterinary care and an innovative approach to help each horse achieve their full potential in and outside of the show ring.
Beezie Madden clearing the Palm Beach Equine Clinic jump with Darry Lou. Photo by Jump Media.
In addition to at the full-service equine hospital, Palm Beach Equine Clinic veterinarians will be available each week to all competing horses at WEF and AGDF thanks to an annex office located adjacent to the WEF stabling office on the PBIEC showgrounds. Palm Beach Equine Clinic veterinarians are on call daily at the annex office to assist competitors throughout the shows with diagnostic evaluations and treatments, as well as emergency and standard horse care needs. Equestrians are always welcome at the annex, where they have the opportunity to discuss their horse health needs with Palm Beach Equine Clinic.
Palm Beach Equine Clinic at the intersection of Southfields Road and Pierson Road in the heart of Wellington. Photo by Erin Gilmore Photography
“Combining the unique offerings of our imaging department, renowned surgical talent, diverse veterinary expertise, and overall high standard of treatment allows us to provide services and care that are akin to the Mayo Clinic for human patients,” said Palm Beach Equine Clinic President Dr. Scott Swerdlin. “The Winter Equestrian Festival and [Adequan®] Global Dressage Festival attract some of the world’s top horses to south Florida. Whether we are treating Olympic level athletes or a trusted companion pony, they will receive the most advanced, dedicated healthcare. It takes a team to achieve success in the competitive arena, and we provide one of the best in the world at Palm Beach Equine Clinic.”
Palm
Beach Equine Clinic veterinary advances – available to new, returning, and
referred clients – include:
Advanced Diagnostic Offerings
Computed Tomography (CT) Machine
Standing Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Nuclear Scintigraphy (bone scan)
Board-Certified Radiologist on Staff
Digital Radiography and Ultrasonography
Surgical Offerings
Three boarded surgeons skilled in performance-related
injuries
Standing surgery pit
Surgical residency
program
Advanced surgical suite
Specialty Offerings
Internal medicine specialists
Quarantine facilities with secure isolation and individual airflow systems
Alternative medicine specialists focused on chiropractic, acupuncture, and Chinese herbals
Renowned sports medicine specialists
On-site hospital with 24-hour staff
Dentistry, ophthalmology, and farriery expertise
Palm Beach Equine Clinic is the Official Veterinarian of the 2020 Adequan Global Dressage Festival.
In
addition to being the Official Veterinarians of WEF and AGDF, Palm Beach Equine
Clinic will again participate in WEF’s popular Lunch & Learn education series
during the 2020 season. Mark your calendars for a presentation entitled “Modern Medicine for the Competitive Sport
Horse: How to Gain and Maintain a Healthy and Sound Show Horse” on
Thursday, March 12, at 11:30 a.m. in The Wellington Club at the WEF
showgrounds. Admission to the Lunch & Learn series is free for riders,
trainers, and owners and includes the opportunity to learn how to help the
competitive sport horse achieve and maintain optimal health through advanced
technology, innovative approaches, and specialty therapies; a buffet lunch; and
a chance to win exciting prizes.
For more information on what Palm
Beach Equine Clinic has to offer horses competing at WEF and AGDF, stop by the annex
office located next to the stabling office on the WEF showgrounds, visit www.EquineClinic.com,
or call 561-793-1599.
