What to Expect at an Equine Appointment
Knowing what to expect at your first appointment will help make the process more pleasant for both you and your horse.
Get Settled
Whether you are bringing your horse to our clinic or our team is coming to your farm, you will need to fill out a New Patient Form. To save a bit of time, you can complete the Client Information Packet online in advance.
Meet Your Veterinarian
A member of our team will review your horse's history and discuss any issues. You can ask any questions you want, and we'll dedicate time to answering them.
Examination, Diagnosis & Treatment
Once your horse has been evaluated, we will provide you with a diagnosis, any necessary vaccinations, and treatment options. Your veterinarian and you will collaborate to develop a treatment plan for your horse.
After your visit, we will create a detailed report of the diagnosis, the discussion had with you, and your horse's treatment plan. We will keep this information on hand.
Our Care Philosophy
We proudly serve horse owners in the south and central San Joaquin Valley. We are dedicated to providing state-of-the-art veterinary service to you and your equine partner.
We are passionate about preventive care, client education, and providing comprehensive emergency and rehabilitative care to horses.
Owner Resources
Click on one of the links below to view or access resources for horse owners.
Financing Options | Financing options to help manage horse care expenses.
Online Forms | Online form for the information we need at your horse's first visit.
Hospital FAQs
Learn more about our office policies, payment options, and appointment booking by reading through our hospital FAQs.
- How can I prepare my horse for their appointment?
Whether your horse is scheduled for a regular check-up or you've called about an issue that is concerning you, please ensure that your horse is properly groomed. It is more difficult for our veterinary team to make a proper assessment and detect issues if your horse is covered in mud.
Please make sure to give our vets a heads-up regarding any behavioral issues your horse may display during their appointment. If the reason for our visit is due to abnormal or concerning behavior, it is always helpful if you can record the issue just in case your horse decides not to display that same behavior while our vets are examining them.
It is always appreciated if you've kept good records of your horse's medical appointments. Informing our vets about the medical issues your horse has had in the past, or treatments they've had done is incredibly helpful, especially when we are making farm calls and do not have immediate access to our records.
In an emergency situation, we understand that it can be difficult to clean your horse or take videos to show your vet. Make sure you never compromise your safety or your horse's. If your horse is displaying signs of colic, make sure to take away all food sources and monitor them closely until your vet arrives. Do not let them roll as it could make their condition worse.
- What types of payment options are available?
Payment in full is expected at the time services are provided or upon discharge of your horse. We accept payment by cash, check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express.
- Are there payment plans available for my horse's care?
We are proud to offer CareCredit and Scratchpay as financing options. They offer an easy application process that will send you results in minutes.
Learn More - Will I be provided with an estimate of costs?
Before services are provided or treatment begins we make sure to give an estimate of costs. However, there is always a chance that unforeseen circumstances can arise that may affect your final bill.
We will always discuss our written estimate with all clients, and we may require a deposit based on our estimate before any further treatment.
- Should I call ahead to book an appointment?
Yes, please call ahead to book an appointment to ensure we have room in our schedule to see your horse or deploy our mobile services.
If your horse needs emergency care during our regular business hours, please contact us right away.
We offer 24/7 emergency care for horses only via our ambulatory service. If your horse is experiencing an emergency at any time, call us right away and we can send our team to you.
- What is your appointment cancellation policy?
If you need to cancel or reschedule an appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can offer the space in our schedule to other clients or offer emergency care to patients in need.
There may be a fee applied to your account if an appointment is missed or if we are not given at least 24 hours notice of cancellation (48 hours notice is required for surgical procedures).
- What types of animals do you treat?
At our veterinary clinic, we take care of cats, dogs, and horses during regular clinic hours.
Our equine patients have the added luxury of 24/7 ambulatory services in case of an emergency.
- What are the fees associated with a veterinary appointment?
You are financially responsible for the initial examination fee and any diagnostics or treatment that you consent to for your horse's treatment. This payment is due at the time of service.
If hospitalization, additional diagnostics, or surgery are required, a deposit is paid upfront with payment due in full when your horse is discharged.
- What are the fees associated with an emergency visit?
For both equine and companion animal emergencies, a deposit payment is required for all emergency examinations. Once the staff and doctors have examined your horse, an estimate for treatment will be given to you to determine a treatment plan.
If further hospitalization, diagnostics, or surgery are required, a deposit is required upfront, with payment in full due when your horse is discharged.
- Can you help with my insurance?
We’re happy to help you fill out insurance forms for your horse's visit.