General Equine Services
Complete care for every horse, every day
At Performance Equine Specialists, excellence in equine care is not limited to performance horses. Routine health management is the foundation of soundness, longevity, and performance. Whether your horse is a high-level competitor or a trusted working partner, we provide attentive, preventive care that supports long-term well-being.
“Sometimes keeping a horse performing starts with the simple things like teeth, vaccines, and time spent watching how they move.”
Dr. Ellis Farstvedt
Preventive and Routine Care
The best way to avoid illness or injury is through consistent, proactive care. Our general veterinary services include:
- Comprehensive health consultations and annual wellness exams
- Vaccinations and deworming programs tailored to your horse’s lifestyle and region
- Nutritional guidance and body condition evaluation
- Dental care, including routine and power floating for comfort and performance
We take time to discuss every treatment and recommendation so that owners understand the reasoning behind each decision.
Learn more about how preventive care supports soundness on the Sports Medicine and Lameness page.
Medical Evaluation and Treatment
When a horse shows signs of illness, injury, or behavioral change, early evaluation can make all the difference. Our medical services include:
- Diagnosis and treatment of respiratory, digestive, and metabolic conditions
- Wound care and management to promote clean healing and minimize scarring
- Fever and infection assessment with on-site laboratory testing
- Lameness screening to determine when a referral to sports medicine is appropriate
“We start by asking what the problem really is. If we cannot answer that first, no treatment will be effective.”
Dr. Ellis Farstvedt
If a problem requires advanced evaluation, we coordinate seamlessly with our Diagnostic Imaging and Regenerative Medicine teams to ensure continuity of care.
Dental Services
Routine dental care keeps horses comfortable, eating properly, and performing at their best. We offer:
- Comprehensive dental examinations using speculums and lighting
- Manual and power floating for precision balance and alignment
Regular dental maintenance can prevent weight loss, uneven wear, and training resistance caused by oral discomfort.
Farrier Collaboration
Farrier work is an essential part of equine health. We communicate regularly with farriers to share diagnostic findings, radiographs, and recommendations for trimming or shoeing adjustments.
Many of our equine veterinarians have a farrier background and have an understanding of the challenges this job entails. This experience helps us forge great farrier-veterinarian relationships which is a win for everyone. This partnership helps prevent lameness and supports the horse’s overall balance and movement.
More details about our collaborative approach are available on the Sports Medicine and Lameness page.
Laboratory Testing and Health Documentation
Performance Equine Specialists provides both in-house and referral laboratory testing for:
- Blood chemistry and complete blood counts
- Fecal egg counts for parasite control
- Metabolic and endocrine profiles
- Infection screening and wound cultures
We also handle all required regulatory testing and documentation, including:
- Coggins, EIA, testing
- Health certificates for travel and events
- International export paperwork when needed
Emergency and Referral Support
When urgent care is needed, our team is available to assist with triage, stabilization, and ongoing case management. For problems that may need more immediate attention we collaborate with a variety of referral hospitals for seamless transfers.
For specialized procedures, we coordinate directly with referral hospitals and specialists to ensure continuity of care. Clients never have to navigate a serious medical situation alone.
“Good veterinary medicine is about trust. You earn that by showing up, telling the truth, and doing the right thing for the horse.”
Dr. Ellis Farstvedt
The Foundation of Soundness
General equine care may not be as dramatic as surgery or sports medicine, but it is where soundness begins. Every successful athlete, and every happy trail horse, depends on attentive, honest, preventive care.
Learn more about advanced diagnostics on our Diagnostic Imaging page, or explore our complete Services Overview for additional specialties. To schedule a wellness appointment, visit our Contact page.