Transitions

My recent transition from veterinary school to equine private practice is one of ups and downs, as just about any major change will have, but overall, I see my career choice as the right one for me. One of my favorite things about Merritt & Associates is the wide variety of horses that we see and treat. The cornucopia of equine talent present in the area is impressive and makes each day fun. From the reiners, to the jumpers, hunters, dressage horses and Saddlebreds, watching a talented horse and working to keep them at their best is a rewarding occupation.
I must admit that one of my favorites is watching the Hackney ponies under harness. The amount of energy and motion from such a small package is impressive. It doesn’t hurt that they are some of the smaller patients that we work on, and holding up their limbs for flexion tests is much less work than a 1400 lb Warmblood who likes to see how much weight you really can hold up. However, one still must be cognizant of dangers, as the ponies can be very light with their limbs, and no one wants to get kicked. One of my co-workers refers to them as “ninjas”, a correlation I find amusing but quite accurate.
Another part of my job that I particularly enjoy is seeing horses improve under our care. Recently we saw a horse for a re-evaluation after initial treatment, whose improvement was outstanding. Had I just seen a short clip of his gait before and after his treatment, I would have thought he was a different horse. The suspension and energy in his gait compared to the very flat, lackluster movement initially present, made my day. It’s extraordinarily rewarding to see such a noticeable difference in a patient due to treatment. I look forward to continued learning and more rewarding moments throughout my journey here.