A Note To Our Horse Owners

The world is held together more by ordinary acts of generosity than extraordinary acts of greatness.

Every species teaches me something.

Dairy producers teach me discipline.

Beef producers teach me patience.

Sheep producers teach me humility.

And horse owners?

Horse owners teach me devotion.

Over the years I've had the privilege of working with many incredible horse owners. Some compete at a high level. Some breed. Some trail ride. Some simply enjoy having a horse in the pasture outside their kitchen window.

Different goals.

Different disciplines.

Different backgrounds.

Yet they all seem to share one thing in common.

They care deeply.

Horse ownership isn't always logical.

The horse doesn't know you skipped supper to make it to the barn.

The horse doesn't know how much the farrier cost.

The horse doesn't know you spent three hours driving to a lesson, only for it to rain.

And yet people do it anyway.

Not because it makes sense on paper.

Because horses matter.

And this past week was a powerful reminder of why.

A mare foaled a healthy foal.

Everything looked promising.

Then, just days later, the mare was gone.

As veterinarians, we deal with loss regularly. It's part of the profession. But some losses feel heavier than others. Standing beside an orphan foal that has just lost its mother is one of them.

What happened next was remarkable.

Within hours, horse owners, veterinarians, breeders, and friends started reaching out. Phone calls. Text messages. Social media posts. Leads from people across the industry.

"I know someone with a mare."

"Try this farm."

"We've got one that just lost a foal."

"I'll make some calls."

Everyone seemed to be pulling in the same direction.

The goal wasn't complicated:

Help the foal.

In a world where we're often told people are becoming less connected, it was incredible to watch an entire community rally around a single orphan foal.

Eventually, a nurse mare was found.

Not because of the medicine.

Not because of the technology.

But because of the people.

The equine community can be passionate, opinionated, stubborn, generous, and fiercely protective of their animals—sometimes all at the same time. But when something truly matters, they show up.

This week, they certainly did.

So here's my question for our horse owners:

What would you like to hear about in future EQUINE Farmgate Notes?

Foaling season?

Lameness?

Buying a horse?

Preventive health care?

Nutrition?

Breeding?

Something completely different?

Reply to this email or click the survey link and let us know.

We're listening.

As Promised.

Less Noise.  Better Decisions.

– Jon

Jon Waito, DVM

Miller Veterinary Service