How to Find a Good Equine Veterinarian
It's easy to find a veterinarian who treats horses, ponies, donkeys and other equines. All you have to do is look in an online directory like the one listed in the Resources section or ask equine-owning friends. The challenge is choosing a good veterinarian to whom you can entrust the hooved members of your family. With the following steps, you can separate the mediocre vets from those with the knowledge and experience to make them stand out as a truly good choice.
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Instructions
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Discuss the extent of the veterinarian's experience with the type of equine you own. Most equine vets are familiar with horses but not necessarily with other equines. If you have a less common animal, like a mule or miniature donkey, there are differences in their physiology that require special expertise. It can be a challenge to find a vet with the right knowledge for those species.
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Ask the veterinarian if she is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) or another professional association. In its video on equine vet selection, which you can find in the Resources section, the AAEP recommends veterinarians who hold professional memberships because it shows they are involved in their field and interested in keeping up with the latest advances.
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Find out if the veterinarian is available for emergencies at night and on weekends and holidays. This is especially important because equine vets usually come to you instead of you bringing your animal to a clinic. If he's not available, who covers for him? Does he have associates in his office? Equines sometimes get sick or injured at inconvenient times, and when you're stressed out about an emergency, dealing with a stranger can make you feel worse. No one can be available 24 hours a day, every day, but a good veterinarian makes herself available as much as possible.
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Talk to the veterinarian about her treatment philosophy. Does it line up with yours? Some equine vets believe in aggressive treatment, while others favor a conservative approach. For this point, "good" means someone whose philosophy closely matches yours.
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Discuss the price for routine procedures, such as examinations and vaccinations. You will incur these expenses each year, even if your equine never gets sick.
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Find out if the veterinarian accepts payment plans. Equines are large animals that can run up equally large bills---often in the triple digits. It's hard enough to face a crisis with your horse's health, so avoid the stress of worrying about the bill on top of it.
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Make an appointment for a check-up when you have narrowed down your list. You can do your homework, but the best way to make a final judgment is to watch the veterinarian interact with your equine. Is she thorough? Are you comfortable with the way she handles your horse? Does she answer your questions clearly and willingly? Go with your gut feeling, and if you're not comfortable, try the next vet on your list. The cost of the exams is an investment that ensures you're choosing the best vet.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have horse-owning friends, ask them if you can tag along when their veterinarian is treating their horses. This will give you a chance to see various vets in action without having to pay for an exam.
Your horse-owning friends may recommend veterinarians, but their idea of what makes someone "good" may differ from yours. For example, your friend might prefer a veterinarian with an aggressive approach, while you might prefer conservative care. When friends make recommendations, ask them what they specifically like about their veterinarian so you can see how they're making their judgment.
