Dear followers, we interrupt our regularly scheduled programming of useful horse care tips to bring you: The Top 10 reasons you should come to my 12th Annual Open House this weekend! Remember, it’s on Saturday, September 29th from 10 am-2 pm at Springhill Equine Veterinary Clinic, and there will be BBQ from Top Hog in Newberry. Have you tried their BBQ yet? It’s to die for! Bring the whole family for a day of horses and fun. What could be better?!

#10: The Movie Theme

That’s right: this year’s Open House is entirely themed after your favorite movies! While munching popcorn, follow the full-sized motion picture posters to visit each blockbuster-themed station and learn something new about caring for your horse. Just like going to the movies, all you need to do is show up. From there just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show. I’m not giving away any of the movies we chose- you’ll have to come find out for yourself. The suspense is killing me!

#9: The Vendors

We are expecting more vendors than ever this year! Local businesses from feed stores to clothing lines will be there for your convenience. Looking for a new farrier or massage therapist? Are you new to horses and looking for somewhere to take lessons? Look no further than Springhill Equine’s Open House. Learn what is available nearby, catch a great deal, and maybe even snatch up some free swag!

#8: The Door Prizes

While we will have over 100 bags of stuff to give out, they will be distributed on a First Come First Served basis! The first bags will contain the most awesome swag, and so on down the line. In addition to grab bags for the first 100 visitors, we will be raffling off larger prize baskets throughout the day. I have seen these prizes and I’m pretty tempted to lay on them and cover them in cat hair to claim them as my own so they can’t be given away this weekend. But I will refrain, for you. Anyway, this is an opportunity to go home with some seriously cool stuff!

#7: The Skin Funk station

Every horse owner deals with skin funk sooner or later. Whether your horse has itchy ears or rain rot, rubs his tail, or cakes his pasterns in mud, we have a solution for you. Our wonderful vet tech Nancy will be womanning the skin funk station this year. She has seen it all when it comes to equine skin issues, and she has tried and tested practically every product out there. Let Nancy share her knowledge and help you choose the right treatment for your horse the first time. Believe me, it will save you a lot of trouble!

#6: The Clicker Training station

Do you know how to clicker train your horse? Well, now is your chance to learn! Our fantastic vet tech Monique will be teaching this useful trick, which can be applied to a variety of situations. Look out for a live horse demonstration at this station! Some of the most common applications of clicker training we use here at the clinic include getting your horse to tolerate shots, loading on a trailer, putting on a fly mask, standing still during an undesirable procedure, etc. Clicker training is a valuable tool to have in your equestrian toolbox. Let us show you the way!

#5: The Dentistry station

Did you ever wonder why horses need a dental every year? Do you want to see some of the worst teeth we’ve ever encountered? Let our awesome vet tech Rachel take you through the wonderland of equine dentistry. This is a hands-on station where touching and feeling dental instruments and equipment is strongly encouraged! Keep small children close by though…this station has some serious bite!

#4: The Nutrition station

Dr. Vurgason joins the helpful folks from Nutrena at this station to bring you everything you ever wanted to know about equine nutrition. Super senior horse? Easy keeper? Metabolic issue? We will make a feed plan to fit your horse’s specific needs! Come to this station armed with questions, and expect to leave with all the answers. In addition to grain, feel free to pick Dr. Vurgason’s brain regarding supplements and forages as well. She owns everything from an old hard-keeper picky-eater off-the-track Thoroughbred to a fat laminitic insulin-resistant donkey. Nutrition can be complicated; visit this station and let Dr. Vurgason simplify your life!

#3: The Lameness station

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Never is this more evident than in the complex world of equine lameness. Come learn from Dr. Lacher what you can start doing today to avoid ending up with a lame horse in the future. Follow the story of a lameness workup to see how our docs arrive at their diagnosis. This is also a great opportunity to pick Dr. Lacher’s brain about lameness treatment options from joint injections to shoes to supplements to alternative therapies. Hint: some work, others are a waste of your hard-earned money. This station is definitely going to be worth your while!

#2: The chance to win a Wellness Package!

You heard right. Each person who attends Open House and visits each station will be entered to win a 2019 Wellness Package for one horse. That is over a $400 value you guys! The package includes 2 visits a year with wellness exams, all core vaccines (Encephalitis, Tetanus, West Nile, & Rabies), a Coggins, a dental float (sedation included), 2 fecal egg counts, and NO emergency fees for the entire year. Make sure to pick up a card when you check in, fill it out with your info, then get a sticker at each station as you go, and turn your card in at the end to be entered to win. You could be this year’s lucky winner- so don’t miss your chance!

#1: Me

Obviously the top reason to attend Open House this year: I will be there. Duh! And I will be available to receive your affections. See you then!

-The Magnificent, One and Only Tony, the Official Clinic Cat of Springhill Equine