Equine Retirement & Rehabilitation

Objectives

Dignified & Healthy but Natural & Practical Retirement for Older Horses

Stellar Care for Rehabilitating Horses & Horses With Ongoing Veterinary Needs

What Makes Us Special?

The Thal Equine retirement and rehabilitation program is managed by Dr. Thal, an equine veterinarian and lifelong horseman with extensive experience in all aspects of equine healthcare.  Since older horses often have special needs, we are able to customize their care whether it be adjustments in feed, exercise, or medical treatments to ensure the quality of life you want for your horse in their later years.

Depending on your older horse’s needs, a retirement program can be based at either our veterinary facility in Santa Fe or the Thal Ranch in Northern New Mexico.  Horses do best when allowed to freely graze.  There is no comparison between the health of grazing horses and those managed in a stable.  However, horses with special or intensive health care issues may need to be boarded at our veterinary facilities for more constant supervision.

Our facilities in Santa Fe are well-suited for horses in rehabilitation.  Dr. Thal and trained staff live on-site, and are able to monitor horses in this program and adjust their management as needed.

Thal Equine has provided my retired Arab broodmare with exceptional care and kindness in her later years. I appreciate the effort and compassion all of the staff have shown in ensuring that she lives out her retirement in good health. - Donna Valverde

The Thal Ranch                                           

Located in Golondrinas New Mexico, the Thal Ranch consists of 5500 acres, and 300 acres are irrigated.  The average elevation is approximately 7,000 feet and the climate is relatively mild year round.  Horses sustain themselves through grazing for most of the year.  Ranch-raised hay and other feed is provided when there is not adequate forages.

Pastures are between 50 and 1,000 acres. Large pastures mainly consist of native grasses, and irrigated land is utilized as needed.  Running streams and stock ponds provide water in most of the pastures.  Windmills supply the only year-round water in a few of the pastures.  Our foreman watches the health status and body condition of horses and the condition of the grass and pastures.  Depending on the condition of the horses and land, horses are rotated through pastures as needed.  The ranch has been using this rotational/intensive grazing system for over 30 years.

Management Plans

- Green Fields –

Turnout in a herd of about 10-20 horses.  This retirement option is suitable for horses that are healthy and have no significant lameness issues.  Candidates for this management plan should be “easy keepers,” but with no history of laminitis or endocrine dysfunction.  He or she needs to be comfortable unshod and have healthy feet.  Horses in this group need to be comfortable in large ranch-style turnout situations and have respect for wire fences.  Lameness, if present, should be minor.  There should be no issue with keeping the horse with the herd.

These horses range on large pastures between 50 and 1000 acres.  This situation most closely resembles a wild horse herd.  These horses are seen often by the ranch foreman and are briefly seen by Dr. Thal on a regular basis.  Horses in this group receive quarterly veterinary exams, routine vaccinations, fecal exams, and parasite control.  Hoof care is also included, as needed. Additional veterinary care is not included.

- Assisted Green Fields -

Turnout in a large dry lot or small pasture alone or with a small number of other horses.  These are retired horses that need a little more attention and might not be able to sustain their health and body condition in a free ranging group.  An example is a horse that requires more or less feed.  Hay and grain are provided to them in a more controlled setting in order to maintain their body condition.

These horses should be accustomed to smaller turnout with other horses and have respect for wire fences.  These horses are seen often by the ranch foreman and are briefly seen by Dr. Thal on a regular basis.  Horses in this group receive quarterly veterinary exams, routine vaccinations, fecal exams, and parasite control. Hoof care is also included, as needed.  Additional veterinary care is not included.

Please keep in mind that for horses kept in the settings described above, it could take several hours for emergency veterinary care to be provided.  A horse in this group is living the “natural life” and illness or injury might not be immediately noticed.  While this natural lifestyle is generally great for horses, the downside is the delay in early intervention and treatment.

- Watchful Eyes -

For retired or rehabilitating horses requiring more care the best approach is to board them at our veterinary facility in Santa Fe.  This management plan is best for horses with special needs including:

• Daily medications, or other daily special care.
• Stall rest, confined movement or specific exercise regime.
• Chronic lameness severe enough that movement with a group is unwise.
• Dental issues that are severe enough that the horse cannot adequately process forage.
• Other chronic issues requiring regular supervision and care.

The Thals are boarding two of my retired ranch horses, providing customized care to each of them because they have special needs and require a bit of monitoring to ensure their well-being.  Without question, they have enjoyed a quality retirement and I am thankful for the good care Thal Equine and their staff have provided. - Nancy Seewald

Getting Started

We start by discussing your needs and those of your horse, and discuss suitable options based on that interview.  Horses accepted into our program need to have negative Coggins within the last 6 months, a current veterinary health certificate, and be current on all vaccinations and deworming.  We will consider accepting horses that require almost any level of care, from minimal to intensive.  Please call our office to discuss details and pricing.