Category: News
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.
Featured on Horse Network
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.
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.
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.
For Immediate Release
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.
“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.
Signing up is simple at AcutePlus.com.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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
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.
The veterinarians of Palm Beach Equine Clinic have always enjoyed contributing to support the local community in Wellington, FL. As a leader in equine veterinary medicine, Palm Beach Equine Clinic makes it a priority to share knowledge and guide aspiring youth. Currently, through Wellington High School’s (WHS) Equine Pre-Vet Program, Palm Beach Equine Clinic has a hands-on program for students to introduce them to a career as promising young veterinary professionals.
Kickstart a Career in Veterinary Medicine
The Equine Pre-Vet Program at WHS provides students with an opportunity to pursue a rigorous, accelerated science program to prepare them for veterinary medicine and/or animal sciences at the college level. Equine Pre-Vet students are required to complete 20 hours of community service in an animal-based area during each year of high school. As a senior in high school, students are also required to intern with an animal healthcare facility, complete research assignments on veterinary medicine, and prepare veterinary case studies.
WHS seniors who choose to pursue the Equine Pre-Vet Program have a wealth of knowledge at their fingertips with one of the world’s most advanced equine medical centers just down the road. Palm Beach Equine Clinic is home to more than 30 world-class veterinarians who all know the process of becoming a top veterinarian within the industry.
Learning from a diverse team of veterinarians
Through the program at WHS and the generosity of the veterinarians at Palm Beach Equine Clinic, students in the Equine Pre-Vet Program have the unique opportunity to learn all about the profession from the very best. Seniors in the program are given the chance to shadow veterinarians as they work at the clinic, as well as out on ambulatory calls at the farms. The program requires that each student obtain a certain number of externship hours, but Palm Beach Equine Clinic allows the students to help and observe for as many hours as desired. Many students show a high level of interest and become highly involved at the clinic. Palm Beach Equine Clinic tries to accommodate each student for their participation at every level.
A program is also offered for junior students at WHS who are considering joining the Equine Pre-Vet Program when they become seniors. Junior students are invited to the clinic to learn about various paths in veterinary medicine and tour the facility in small groups. Palm Beach Equine Clinic sets up multiple stations for them to learn about things including blood work, physical exams, reproduction, and business management.
Palm Beach Equine Clinic’s Dr. Janet Greenfield-Davis is very involved with the program and enjoys teaching students of all ages. She has been involved in the local school system’s career day for younger children at the elementary level and also mentors the senior students who have already chosen the veterinary path involved in the externship program.
“We try to play an active role in our community, and we really enjoy having the kids visit the clinic,” said Dr. Greenfield-Davis. “When I went to high school, it was just general education, but now they really specialize in gearing the children towards specific programs in high school, and I think that is pretty impressive. To have PBEC right around the corner is handy for them, and it is nice for us to have the kids come through.
“We have some students that will come in on their own outside of school and ask to volunteer,” continued Greenfield-Davis. “We also have two girls that are in vet school now that started here in high school. They went to local colleges and they continued to come to our practice and participate all through college. We were able to write them recommendations for veterinary school, and they both got in, so we are super proud of them. We try to do all we can for the high school. We are really happy that we can provide those opportunities for the students and see them excel.”
The world-renowned Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Official Veterinarian of the Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and Adequan® Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) in Wellington, FL, is the proud sponsor of the $391,000 CSI5* Grand Prix during “Saturday Night Lights” at WEF Week 7.
Who: Some of the world’s most accomplished show jumping athletes. Once finalized, the order-of-go will be posted HERE.
What: The $391,000 Palm Beach Equine Clinic CSI5* Grand Prix
When: Saturday, February 23, during “Saturday Night Lights” at 7 pm ET. Gates open at 6 pm. Free admission and $20/car parking.
Where: Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington, FL. Directions can be found HERE.
In addition to their sponsorship of this week’s CSI5* Grand Prix and of the 3’3″ Amateur-Owner Hunter 36 and Over division throughout WEF, Palm Beach Equine Clinic also provides state-of-the-art veterinary care to the horses of both the year-round residents and visitors of South Florida. Palm Beach Equine Clinic’s technologically advanced clinic 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.
The expertise and dedication of Palm Beach Equine Clinic veterinarians is also available to all competing horses at WEF and AGDF thanks to an annex office located adjacent to the WEF stabling office on the PBIEC showgrounds as well as at the main Palm Beach Equine Clinic location. 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.
Official Veterinarians of 2019 WEF and AGDF Circuits
World-renowned veterinary facility Palm Beach Equine Clinic (PBEC) will return as the Official Veterinarians of the 2019 Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) and Adequan Global Dressage Festival (AGDF) running January 9 through March 31 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (PBIEC) in Wellington, FL.
A proponent and supporter of horse sport in Wellington and throughout the world, Palm Beach Equine Clinic has served both the year-round residents and visiting horses of south Florida for more than three decades. PBEC’s state-of-the-art clinic 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. PBEC’s talented team of veterinarians offers its clients and the horses of referring veterinarians unmatched care and an innovative approach to standard and emergency services.
Palm Beach Equine Clinic’s goal is to provide a definite diagnosis and never have to refer a case. In other words, PBEC is the equivalent of the Mayo Clinic for horses.
“Combining the tools of our imaging department, surgical talent, and overall standard of treatment allows us to provide services far beyond what other facilities can provide,” said PBEC President Dr. Scott Swerdlin, who leads a team of more than 40 veterinarians at PBEC. “But even with all the technology we provide, we need the people to make it all happen. That is exactly what we have; veterinarians skilled in diagnostics, technicians dedicated to caring for the horses before, after, and during any procedure, and world-renowned surgeons who can take a diagnosis and treat the problem with positive results for horse and owner. It takes a team and we have one of the best in the world at Palm Beach Equine Clinic.”
PBEC’s services available to new, returning, and referred clients include:
Advanced Diagnostic Offerings
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- 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
- State-of-the-art surgical suite
- Quarantine facilities with secure isolation and individual air flow systems
The expertise and dedication of PBEC veterinarians will be available to all competing horses at WEF and AGDF thanks to an annex office located adjacent to the WEF stabling office on the PBIEC showgrounds as well as at the main PBEC clinic location. PBEC 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.
“Our location, talents, and dedication to the Wellington community and beyond have helped Palm Beach Equine Clinic to offer the best possible care to some of the world’s top equines during the winter show season,” continued Dr. Swerdlin. “Additionally, our annex office places us in the heart of it all, making advanced veterinary care convenient to equestrians competing at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. We are very proud of both facilities and the veterinarians who work there, but we are even more proud to be trusted with the care of such special animals!”
For more information on what PBEC 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.
Save The Date
In addition to being named the Official Veterinarians of WEF and AGDF, PBEC’s own veterinarians will again participate in WEF’s popular Lunch & Learn education series during the 2019 season. Mark your calendars for a presentation on Sport Horse Health on Thursday, March 7, 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 a buffet lunch and a chance to win exciting prizes from 2019 Lunch & Learn sponsors.