Services

Elective Surgery

We perform a variety of elective surgeries, including arthoscopy, in our fully equipped equine surgical suite that contains an equine dorsal/lateral hydraulic surgical table and electric hoist.  We use isoflorane anesthesia with monitoring of EKG, blood gases and direct arterial blood pressure.

Emergency Services – Including Colic Surgery

We provide after-hours emergency services, including emergency colic surgery for both adults and foals.  We have a trained on-call staff that are quickly assembled for these emergencies.  Dr. Thal has been performing emergency colic surgery since 2001.

In May 2011 I was faced with one of the most difficult situations in my career as an equine professional.  My 12 year old Andalusian mare was suffering from a very painful bout of colic.  Concerned that surgery may be necessary, our local veterinarian referred us to Dr. Thal who has extensive experience in managing severe colic cases and has been performing colic surgery for almost a decade.

We travelled three hours from Pagosa Springs, Colorado to Thal Equine in Santa Fe.  Upon arrival, Dr. Thal quickly made a diagnosis and we decided to proceed with surgery.  Before, during, and after surgery Dr. Thal and his staff were kind and skilled professionals.  In addition, the post-operative care provided to my mare was exceptional.

Today, I am riding and showing my mare again and we recently took 7 high points at the International Andalusian & Lusitano Horse Association shows.

Thank you Dr. Thal & the Staff of Thal Equine! – LeslieAnn & Mark Weiler

       

 Safer Post-Operative Recoveries

While an intern at Littleton Large Animal Clinic in 1993, Dr. Thal invented an innovative tail-hoist recovery system for safer recoveries after surgery.  We use that system here and it works very well.  This system is still used to recover horses at Littleton.  In 2005, a paper was presented by faculty at Texas A&M detailing the same system.  It is now used in a number of equine hospitals nationwide.

Lameness Exams & Performance Horse Evaluations

Dr. Thal performs thorough lameness exams and diagnoses performance problems regularly.  We have the facilities, experience and quality diagnostic tools to make the right diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment options.  Our grounds are well suited for these exams.

Pre-Purchase Exams

We regularly provide comprehensive pre-purchase exams for our clients, and strongly believe in the value of this service.  Most of these exams are scheduled here at the clinic where our grounds are well suited for these evaluations.

Digital Radiography

We use an Eklin Mark III – the finest digital radiograph system available.  Our true digital x-ray system produces fantastic images that appear within seconds of being taken, allowing for real time adjustments in x-ray technique to get the most information possible.  This allows us to develop an immediate treatment plan following diagnosis.  Quality images of difficult-to-image areas such as the shoulder and neck can be taken with our system, even in the field.

Progressive Equine Dental Exams & Dentistry

At any given time a horse may or may not require dental work. Routine and thorough dental examinations are needed to determine whether work is required.  Dr. Thal is very experienced in corrective and routine dentistry.  We use state-of-the-art motorized performance dentistry tools for addressing almost any dental need.  We address performance related dental issues and treat issues that arise more commonly in older horses, such as cheek teeth extraction and repulsion.

Gastroscopy & Endoscopy

We have a high quality 3 meter video endoscope for gastroscopy in adult horses and a high quality 2 meter video endoscope for gastroscopy in foals.  We also perform endoscopy of the bladder, upper respiratory tract, and uterus in mares.

Digital Ultrasound

We have both in-house and mobile ultrasound units for the diagnosis of a variety of equine healthcare issues including detailed tendon, ligament, abdominal and chest ultrasonography.  We also use ultrasound extensively in our reproductive services.

Extra-Corporeal Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave is a versatile therapy and used to treat conditions such as suspensory ligament tears, carpal (knee) and hock arthritis, Navicular Syndrome (chronic heel pain), back problems and much more.  We use the PulseVet® VersaTron® System with 4 trodes, which is considered state-of-the-art.  For more information see http://www.pulsevet.com/.

Intensive Care

We are fully equipped to provide intensive care to critically ill horses and foals.  We have trained staff that live on-site and supply excellent care in these demanding cases.

Reproduction: Mares, Stallions & Foaling

We provide artificial insemination with transported cooled and frozen semen, pregnancy diagnosis by rectal palpation and ultrasonography, breeding and soundness exams, and treatment of reproductive problems in mares and stallions, including surgery.  We also provide stallion collection and processing and shipment of cooled semen.

Dr. Thal and trained staff live on-site, and can attend and monitor foaling at any hour.  We use the FoalAlert system and video monitors.  Our foaling stall is a large, bright, roomy and comfortable living quarters for mares and their newborn foals, and it is heated in the winter.  We provide resuscitation to foals as needed.

Routine Exams & Preventative Care

Routine exams and preventative care are a cornerstone in ensuring your horse’s health.  Call our office for details on our Spring and Fall work packages.  Discounts are provided for multiple horses.  We provide all aspects of preventative medicine including consultations on equine health care and management, nutrition, and behavioral modification with referral to qualified trainers.

Mobile Ambulatory Services & Farm Calls

We have two fully equipped mobile units, and regularly schedule farm calls by appointment.

Full In-House Laboratory

We have a fully equipped in-house laboratory that is critical for monitoring intensive care cases.

Retirement & Rehabilitation

We are dedicated to the care of the older horse.  We regularly board older horses long-term at our facility and at Dr. Thal’s family ranch.  We adjust their feeding, maintenance, and healthcare regime to their specific needs.  We also regularly board horses in rehabilitation, adjusting their treatment and exercise regime accordingly.  If you are interested, please visit our Equine Retirement & Rehabilitation page on the menu link above for more information.

Equine Medicine & More

• We are well-equipped to provide emergency and general internal medicine.
• Cryotherapy and local chemotherapy for skin tumor treatment.
• Freeze branding and microchip implantation for identification.
• Two isolation stalls for potentially infectious cases.
• IRAP (Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein) & PRP (Platlet Rich Plasma).
• We offer spinal surgery for Equine Wobbler’s Syndrome with visiting surgeon, Barry Grant DVM MS DACVS MRCVS. For more about Wobbler’s Syndrome and Dr. Grant, please visit his website http://www.equinewobblers.com/.

If you are interested in a service not listed here, please call our office.
If we cannot help you, we would be happy to refer you to a veterinary facility or practitioner that can.