St. Barths' Story

St. Barths—or “Nike”—is a wonderful horse owned by Richard Thompson. Nike was the last horse he and his wife, Vita, purchased together before, sadly, Vita passed away in 2008. Nike was doing well at training and preliminary events when, in the summer of ’07, he started having issues in his hind end. One day he developed a high fever, so we rushed him to the Equine Medical Center for an emergency evaluation. Dr. Desrochers did a complete neurological exam and diagnosed him with EPM. He spent two weeks in the isolation unit on a course of treatment that included IV fluids and Marquis. He came home very skinny and wobbly; we couldn't ride him for 6 months. Eventually, we started ponying him, then riding him, and while I was at the Olympics last year, my student, Hannah Burnett, took him to his first event, 14 months after the illness started. They continued doing very well together, and he showed no trace of illness. In July, Hannah and Nike won the CIC** at Stuart Horse Trials! He's a very talented horse, and I'm grateful to the EMC for helping him get back in good health. We're very fortunate to have this facility so close to our farm.

Karen O'Connor
The Plains, VA

Belle Etoile’s Story

Belle Etoile was six days old when she was attacked by two dogs while in the paddock with her mother. She sustained severe lacerations to both hind legs and behind her front legs and she lost a large amount of blood. Within 20 minutes of her arrival at EMC, she’d been X-rayed, her IV was started, oxygen was administered via a nasal catheter, and other supportive measures were taken. Three hours of tedious surgical repair followed and then she spent several days in ICU. Once she was home, she continued to recuperate well, and she recovered fully with only minimal scarring (considering the extent of her injuries). The treatment she received at EMC was outstanding; the staff was fully prepared to receive her when she arrived, and her stay in the hospital was marked by meticulous attention from everyone—which extended to her owner as well. She is now a mature mare, has earned a few ribbons in Pleasure classes, and has no apparent residual effects for what was certainly a dreadful experience. Thank you, EMC.

Elizabeth R. Carmichael, MD
Rixeyville, Virginia

Perfect Timing’s Story

Perfect Timing – or P.T. as I call him – is just a great horse; he’s a special member of our family. Unfortunately, a few years ago, P.T. was diagnosed with periocular sarcoids, which is a type of cancer. His were near his left eye. Our family vet worked to remove the cancerous growths, but they returned, so we were referred to the Equine Medical Center. We definitely had a few choices of where to go, but we had heard that the EMC was a good direction to take. We found that to be very good advice, because P.T. was treated there with great results. Dr. Sullins performed surgery on P.T. and also prescribed chemotherapy. While there were some complications, everything turned out fine. We were kept informed almost daily, which was very reassuring. We relate our experience with the EMC to others this way: we hope your horse never has this kind of problem, but if he does – don’t hesitate to go to the Equine Medical Center.

Calvin Stanley
Ashland, VA

Otis’ Story

One morning, Otis – or “Ottie,” as we call him – began exhibiting signs that he was in severe pain: he was trying to trot with his nose touching the ground and snaking his head from side to side. Also, he would repeatedly drop to the ground, roll, and get up again. A call brought our vet out to the farm, but the vet was not optimistic about Ottie’s chances, given the amount of pain. We then took Ottie to the Equine Medical Center, where he was diagnosed with impaction colic. Because Dr. Barrett said he did not require surgery at the time, Ottie had his stomach pumped, was given mineral oil, and hooked up to multiple IVs. We’ve never seen so many people so delighted to witness a horse pass feces! Four days later, Ottie came home, very happy to return to his buddies on the farm. All we can say is “thank you” to the vets and assistants at the EMC who – with their amazing work – saved our “baby” when his outlook on life was very bleak. Every time I look at my Ottie, I’m so glad he’s still with us. Words cannot express our gratitude to the clinicians and staff at the EMC.

Lydia and Ann Carpenter
Affinity Farm
Aldie, VA

Onyx’s Story

Onyx gave us a good scare. One morning, he was not eating and had started to roll on the ground. After some initial treatments provided by our vet, we were advised that we should take Onyx to the Equine Medical Center to get some blood work and other exams done. We didn’t get to the Center until 11 pm, but I got calls all through the night from the doctor, who kept us up to date on everything they learned from their tests, which indicated that Onyx had colic and needed surgery. Onyx came out of the surgery happy but groggy, and even though he had a few post-operative problems, he came through really well. He recently completed his green horse training and our daughter is looking forward to showing him in the local horse shows (he is beautiful!). While this was an emotional roller coaster for us, we are so pleased that – with the great care he received at the Equine Medical Center – he made a full recovery.

Bill Bassett
Port Republic, MD

Invite Moonlight’s Story

Invite Moonlight was diagnosed with lameness from a bone cyst in her left front coffin bone ... obviously, not news a horse owner wants to receive! But, fortunately, the specialists at the Equine Medical Center offer a cutting-edge treatment plan that involves stem cells. The EMC’s specialists collected a sample of Invite Moonlight’s bone marrow from which millions of stem cells were grown. The stem cells were injected into her coffin joint to help stimulate healing and provide pain relief. Throughout the treatment and recovery—which only took a few months—we and her trainer followed the EMC’s medical advice to the letter. In almost no time, she was better and stronger than ever—I sometimes refer to her as “bionic!” Just recently, she placed in the top ten in the Senior Western Pleasure Division at the AQHA World Championship Show. She’s back into full training and will be participating extensively in this year’s show circuit. Her medical treatment at the EMC made a tremendous difference for her; we are thrilled with the results.

Cecilia Hylton
Hylton Quarterhorses
Gainesville, VA

Jack’s Story

Jack’s my best friend. So when the barn manager called to say she thought Jack was collicking, I was very concerned and asked her to call in our veterinarian. After giving Jack a sedative, the vet and I discussed Jack’s care options: either we’d go to the Equine Medical Center or wait a few hours to see if he would improve. Jack seemed to understand us: when he heard “wait,” he jerked his head up, looked at me with his expressive eyes, and started pawing. Even though he was sedated, he clearly did not want to wait! At the EMC, Jack was quickly and thoroughly examined and immediate surgery was recommended. That’s when I learned Jack’s colic was far worse than we initially suspected. Fortunately, the procedure went well. It took a while for Jack to recover, but recover he did! I’m very thankful to everyone at the Center for the incredible care and expeditious service they gave us—not only that day but in subsequent visits. Without them my best friend would not be here.

AnneMichelle Johnson
Pleasant Ridge Farm
Germantown, MD

Unfortunately, almost a year after Jack's colic surgery at the EMC, he suffered additional colic episodes that he was not able to survive. Rest in peace, Jack (a.k.a. Chapter Eleven; 3/17/94-4/17/09).

Dark Equation’s Story

I’ve worked with Dark Equation for almost 2-1/2 years and he’s always responded well to our training regimen. But not long ago, we noticed that his performance was just not up to par. We took him to the Equine Medical Center, where they ran him on their high-speed treadmill while performing an endoscopy. The results of that diagnostic procedure showed Dark Equation had some constriction in his airway passage. Within a couple of days, he underwent laser surgery on his soft palate and pharynx, and the rest—as they say—is history. Three months later, he managed a come-from-behind win, and took the Turf Writers Handicap in Saratoga Springs. He won by half a length and he brought in a huge purse, which was very gratifying for all of us. Dark Equation is a fantastic horse; he’s got great heart and he’s so strong. Clearly the surgery he underwent at the EMC helped him reach his full potential. And that’s really what it’s all about—for horses, trainers, and owners.

Doug Fout
Thoroughbred Trainer
Middleburg, VA

A.J.’s Story

We suspect A.J. was kicked while out in the pasture, which resulted in a fracture just above her left hock. Her injury worsened to the point where I knew she had to be taken to the Equine Medical Center—even though I had never visited the hospital before. From the minute we arrived at the EMC, everything went very, very well. A.J. was taken immediately for X-rays and examinations. Dr. Barrett told me the fracture was infected and that there were many small bone chips at the site. A.J. underwent a 2-1/2 hour standing surgical procedure, so she did not have to be completely anesthetized. I think the doctor pulled out a dozen or more miniscule pieces of bone! I’m glad to report that A.J. has recouped just beautifully; she’s now training to return to fox-hunting. Thank you, EMC, for your superb medical services and your friendly, helpful, cooperative staff. A.J. and I could not have been treated better.

Sue Lipsey
Run Fox Run Farm
Hume, VA