Equine Sports Medicine

Not at all. Many of our clients work with us proactively to protect performance and reduce injury risk. Ongoing performance evaluations, strategic maintenance, and early intervention are key components of keeping elite horses competing at their highest level over time.

We work with all disciplines and ages of horses. Our passion lies with helping sport horses feel and perform their best, and we also are well equipped to support companion and retired horses live their best lives. Our demographic currently includes Western Performance horses, jumping and eventing horses, and pleasure/trail horses. We understand the dedication it takes to keep your horse sound and competition-ready and we want to support you in any way we can.

Evaluation of performance horses, especially when evaluating lameness or underperformance, is an in-depth exam. We first listen to the rider/trainer/owner’s concerns and changes that they’ve noticed in their mount. We will look at any and all videos you may have that might display the problem. We then start a thorough static exam to look for signs of pain, discomfort, or imbalance. Dr. Holmbeck is a certified equine chiropractor with a sensitive touch for small muscle spasms, swellings or other abnormalities. Next we evaluate the horse in motion and perform flexion tests to further qualify which limb or area is abnormal. The findings will guide either treatment or further diagnostics. Sometimes nerve blocks are required to further localize a problem so we can be sure we are accurate. Many times we will take x-rays to look for concrete evidence of a problem and choose the most appropriate therapy. We also use ultrasound to look at soft tissue structures or to look at joints in a more detailed manner. Sometimes we also use ultrasound to guide our therapies to ensure the medicines we use are getting to exactly the right spot. These evaluations and treatments can take several hours, and sometimes need to be split up into multiple appointments depending on the situation.

Yes. Joint injections are performed when clinically indicated and strategically timed to support performance and long-term soundness. Each recommendation is based on diagnostics, workload, competition goals, and the horse’s overall program. We emphasize transparency, thoughtful timing, and long-term planning when discussing joint therapy.

Your horse’s best interest always comes first. If a specific intervention or specialist is indicated, we are proactive and transparent about referrals. Our role is to guide the program appropriately, even when that means involving outside expertise. We have great relationships with several regional referral practices.

Absolutely. We value close collaboration with trainers, riders, farriers, bodyworkers, and other specialists. A unified team approach is essential for managing elite performance horses and supporting consistency and longevity.

Yes. Clear communication and education are central to our approach. We take the time to explain diagnostic findings, treatment options, and expected outcomes so owners, trainers, and riders can make informed, confident decisions.

As veterinarians, we first identify the underlying cause of discomfort or performance limitation, then determine how chiropractic care, acupuncture, or PEMF may support mobility, recovery, and neuromuscular function.

These therapies are integrated alongside medical management, training considerations, and ongoing performance monitoring to support optimal results and they are also used as preventative wellness measures.