Preventative Care
Bi-annual examination of your horse is highly recommended. The spring and fall are great times to take care of vaccination, fecal egg counts (see discussion below), and dental floats. It also allows your veterinarian the chance to assess the overall body condition and health of your horse so that potential problems can be caught early.

Vaccination
Click here for a timeline of recommended vaccines.

Deworming
Veterinary parasitologists recommend twice yearly fecal egg counts, the results of which determine how often your horse is dewormed. It is simple really - give more dewormer to horses that need it and less to those that don't. Fecal egg counts are quick, cheap, and easy and the samples are usually readily available!
Click here for a timeline of Deworming.

Dentistry
Dr’s Crawford and Ritenour have received specialized training in veterinary school, dental wetlabs and internship to manage your horse's dental health. Your horse should have an oral exam every 6-12 months, with most horse's needing their teeth floated (or the sharp enamel points filed down) about once a year. The oral exam also gives us the opportunity to assess the mouth for foreign bodies, fractured teeth, loose teeth, tumors, gingival abnormalities, malocclusions (when the teeth don’t align properly) and more. If your horse is dropping feed, evading the bit, or has foul breath they should have a full oral exam performed ASAP.

Lameness
When your horse is lame, our veterinarians can provide a comprehensive assessment through physical exam, gait analysis, flexion tests, and diagnostic nerve blocks. Nerve blocks allow us to localize an area of pain by systematic "blocking" of sensation in peripheral nerves with local anesthestic. Once lameness is localized, radiographs and/or ultrasound images may reveal the cause. Four Star offers the convenience of the latest technology brought to your farm, with digital radiographs and ultrasonography which provide instant stall side x-rays and ultrasound images. With this information a treatment plan that suits the horse's needs and your budget can be designed. We also have the Pro-Stride APS and Alpha 2 Macroglobulin systems and ability to provide specialized injectable therapy right in your barn.

Veterinary Medical Manipulation (VMM) - Dr. Crawford is a graduate of the Integrative Veterinary Medical Institute at the Chi Institute in Reddick, FL, and is a Certified Veterinary Medical Manipulation Practitioner, CVMMP (often referred to as "equine chiropractic"). At the VMM appointment your horse is evaluated at rest for muscle symmetry and quality. Then their movement and gait are assessed in hand. Finally motion palpation of the joints of the body, neck, and limbs is evaluated and adjustment of any restrictions found is performed. Dr. Crawford will also discuss physical therapy exercises that the owner can continue doing to maintain and improve the horses comfort and performance between adjustments. Please see our information page regarding how VMM can help your horse and how to recognize if your horse could benefit from VMM therapy.

Acupuncture - Dr. Ritenour is a graduate of the Chi Institute in Reddick, FL and is a Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist. Acupuncture is a branch of traditional chinese medicine that involves the stimulation of points, by insertion of specialized needles into the body along channels where Qi (read “chi”) flows. It works by stimulating your horse’s nervous system which can naturally improve healing. It also provides pain relief, relaxation, and can help regulate the immune system. Dr. Ritenour often utilizes electroacupuncture which most horses find very relaxing!

Acupuncture VMM adjustments and massage work synergistically and can be used in the same appointment to address many musculoskeletal problems.

Equine Massage - Chasity is certified in equine massage therapy from the Equissage school of equine massage.  Hands on massage of major muscle groups can improve bloodflow, comfort and mobility in your horse.  If you horse has a known lameness or chronic pain, massage can be helpful in treating collateral areas of pain and dysfunction as the horse uses their body in a different way to compensate.  Massage can be a great cost effective way to maintain your horse between VMM and/or acupuncture appointments as well. 

Reproduction
Whether this is your first experience or you're well acquainted with the breeding shed Four Star Equine can help you through the process of assessing your horse's breeding soundness, securing a pregnancy, foaling, and foal care.

Pre-purchase Exam
A new horse is a significant investment, make sure it is a good one by having a pre-purchase examination performed. Your potential horse will be examined from head to tail with special attention to health history, conformation, soundness, suitability, and ocular/cardiac/airway health. Each pre-purchase exam is tailored to your individual needs and the horse's use. Exams can include full radiographs and bloodwork or can be as simple as a thorough physical exam. We are happy to work with out of state and out of country buyers and will communicate findings by phone and written report.

Nutrition Consultation
Just as in people, many issues can arise from an unbalanced diet. Horses absolutely need adequate fiber, trace minerals, and vitamins in the proper ratios. If you are concerned about your horse's diet-maybe they are hard keepers or obese or just unthrifty-their diet can be examined. We can also refer you to nutrition experts that can design a plan specific to your horse's needs