As the winter months come to an end and we gear up for the busy spring season, it's important to remember to get your horse up-to-date on all their vaccinations and deworming.‍

At Countryside, we follow the core vaccination guidelines of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). The AAEP considers these vaccines essential to maintaining the health and well being of the average horse and some are even necessary to safeguard human health. Core vaccinations function to decrease the severity of specific diseases or to prevent them altogether. Unfortunately, there are no effective means of treatment for many of the diseases we vaccinate for and these diseases are nearly always fatal. That is why our goal is to provide the very best in preventive health care and keep your horse as healthy and disease-free as possible.

Ask about our Annual Wellness Plans. Stay ahead of your horse's health and save money. Request an appointment or call us at 770-788-7387
Why Should a Veterinarian

Vaccinate Your Horse?

1
Over Vaccinating: We develop a customized plan for each horse based on their risk, age, and exposure. We will not administer a vaccine unless your horse truly needs it, thus eliminating the risk of over-vaccinating.
2
Reputable Source: In order to be safe and effective, vaccines need to be appropriately handled (stored at the proper temperature), given in the right location, and administered in the correct dosage. Having your horse vaccinated by a veterinarian means you've entrusted this process to someone educated in the proper handling and administration of vaccines. In the rare event of an adverse reaction, our veterinarians are also equipped to manage the event. Online pharmacies and farm supply stores are not able to provide this support or guarantee that the product has been handled correctly at all times.
3
Guaranteed Product. The companies that manufacture vaccines offer to cover the costs of diagnostic tests and treatment if your horse contracts a disease it was vaccinated for. The companies will only stand behind their product if your horse was vaccinated by a licensed veterinarian. No vaccine is 100% effective and if you choose to vaccinate your own horse, you do not receive this guarantee.
Quote, "Countryside is happy to help design a vaccination program tailored to y9our horse or stable's risk factors. Inquire about our wellness Packages."
The New Way Of Thinking:

Targeted Deworming

Bald Face Horse in Countryside Halter
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We recommend performing a FEC in the spring and fall to effectively monitor your deworming program.

Deworming rotation programs have been the standard practice for many years. However, it is no longer the recommended practice as we are now seeing parasite resistance to many of the dewormers that are used. By inappropriately deworming our horse(s), we are actually contributing to the rapid growth of parasite resistance. At Countryside, we choose to take a more precise approach at deworming by targeting the parasites that are actually present, as well as the life stage the parasites are within the body. Fecal egg counts (FEC) are currently the best method of estimating worm burdens in your horse. FEC are easily performed and provide a tremendous amount of information necessary for parasite control. It is important to remember that dewormer programs need to be designed for each individual horse, not the entire herd or barn.

Fighting Resistance ​Through Fecal Egg Counts:

A fecal egg count allows us to identify each individual horse's worm burden through a fecal sample. It's important to understand that not all horses carry the same amount of parasites. Horses can be high, moderate or low egg shedders. Once a horse is identified, they can be properly treated. This prevents unnecessary deworming, which will help slow down resistance and it can save you money in the long run.

Free Fecal Egg Count

Checking for Resistence

A fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT) can be used to evaluate your horse's resistance. The goal of the test is to see if the wormer being used is actually effective and reducing the parasite load.

What Else You Need To Know:

Bots and pinworms can't be detected through a FEC. Tapeworms are also difficult to detect.
The age of a horse factors into planning an effective deworming program.
The goal of deworming is not to totally eliminate the parasite population, but to manage and control the egg shedding of parasites.
From the Blog

News & Articles

As many of our clients know, we love sharing our knowledge and important animal health news. Our blog contains valuable educational resources in one easy location.

Nov 7

Care Tips for Senior Horses: Ensuring the Comfort of Your Aging Equine Companions

Prepare your senior horse for colder weather with our care guide. From assessing their body condition to ensuring proper nutrition and dental care, these tips will keep your aging equine companion healthy and content.
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Understanding Equine Cushing's Disease: What Horse Owners Need to Know

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Decoding Equine Pain: How to Recognize the Signs

As Pain Awareness Month begins, it's crucial to spot subtle signs of discomfort in horses, often masked by their natural ability to hide pain. By closely monitoring behavior and recognizing equine facial expressions, owners can learn to spot pain.
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Focus on Soundness: Strategies for Injury-Free Horses

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Sweatless Summers: Unraveling the Mystery of Anhidrosis in Horses!

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Jun 28

Furry Freedom Fest: Tips for a Safe and Fun July 4th!

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Trending Topic: Help, my horse has hives!

Uncover the mysterious world of equine hives and discover what's really behind those itchy, raised bumps. From unexpected culprits to playing detective to find the trigger, this blog post reveals the secrets to ...
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Jun 1

From Racing to Re-homing: Client Stories of Triumph

Derby week has come and gone, but these inspiring stories of success and triumph from some of our off-the-track Thoroughbreds are timeless.
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Feb 27

The "Non-Steriod" Future of Arthritis Treatment

From training to competition, repetitive movements and trauma can lead to inflammation of the joint. There is a new, non-steroid, biotechnology treatment available.
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7 Nov

Care Tips for Senior Horses: Ensuring the Comfort of Your Aging Equine Companions

Prepare your senior horse for colder weather with our care guide. From assessing their body condition to ensuring proper nutrition and dental care, these tips will keep your aging equine companion healthy and content.
More
3 Oct

Understanding Equine Cushing's Disease: What Horse Owners Need to Know

Cushing's is doable with care. Recognize signs, consult your vet, consider Prascend for your horse's comfort.
More
13 Sep

Decoding Equine Pain: How to Recognize the Signs

As Pain Awareness Month begins, it's crucial to spot subtle signs of discomfort in horses, often masked by their natural ability to hide pain. By closely monitoring behavior and recognizing equine facial expressions, owners can learn to spot pain.
More
8 Aug

Focus on Soundness: Strategies for Injury-Free Horses

Expert Insights from Our Veterinarians. Plus, simple yet effective tactics to prevent injuries and maintain soundness.
More
29 Jun

Sweatless Summers: Unraveling the Mystery of Anhidrosis in Horses!

Identify the telltale signs of anhidrosis in horses and the practical approaches that can make a difference...
More
28 Jun

Furry Freedom Fest: Tips for a Safe and Fun July 4th!

In preparation for the upcoming Independence Day, we dive into ways to ensure our dogs, cats, and horses have a safe Furr-ocious 4th of July!
More
4 Jun

Trending Topic: Help, my horse has hives!

Uncover the mysterious world of equine hives and discover what's really behind those itchy, raised bumps. From unexpected culprits to playing detective to find the trigger, this blog post reveals the secrets to ...
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1 Jun

From Racing to Re-homing: Client Stories of Triumph

Derby week has come and gone, but these inspiring stories of success and triumph from some of our off-the-track Thoroughbreds are timeless.
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