Veterinary care plays a role throughout almost every stage of a horse’s life. From reproduction and the first days of a foal’s life to preventive care, development and situations in which further examination or treatment is needed.
At Maverick Stables, we work with Dierenkliniek Emmeloord for the veterinary care of our horses. Having a veterinary team that knows our horses, our breeding programme and the way we work creates valuable continuity, particularly when following mares, foals and young horses over a longer period of time.
Within our breeding programme, veterinary expertise is especially important. Reproductive guidance, pregnancy and foaling each bring their own considerations, while the first period of a foal’s life requires careful observation and, where necessary, professional assessment.
We also believe veterinary knowledge has value beyond moments when something is wrong. Findings during routine care, examinations or conversations with our veterinarian can provide information that helps us evaluate our management and make considered decisions for the individual horse.
For us, the value of good veterinary care lies not only in treatment, but also in having professional knowledge available throughout the horse’s development.
Professional knowledge. Continuity of care. The individual horse at the centre.
02 — HOOF CARE
Hoof care is an important part of every horse’s management, but during the early years it also forms part of following a young horse as it grows and develops.
At Maverick Stables, we believe the feet should be considered as part of the complete horse. Conformation, growth, movement and the way a horse naturally stands and uses its body can all provide valuable context when looking at hoof development.
For the hoof care of our horses, we work with John Donck, Dorian Donck and the team at Hoefsmederij Donck & ZN. Regular visits allow development to be followed over time and give us the opportunity to discuss changes or points that may require additional attention.
This continuity is particularly valuable with foals and young horses. Their bodies are continually developing, and what we observe between visits can be combined with the farrier’s specialist knowledge and experience to create a more complete picture of the individual horse.
For us, good hoof care is therefore about more than an individual trimming or shoeing appointment. It is about following the horse over time, sharing observations and adapting care as the individual horse develops.
A horse’s mouth changes considerably throughout its life. Particularly during the early years, development happens quickly as teeth erupt, change and settle into their adult position. For us, dental care is therefore part of following the horse as a whole rather than something we consider only when a problem becomes visible.
For the dental care of our horses, we work with Niek Jansen. Professional assessment allows the development of the mouth and teeth to be followed over time and any points requiring attention to be considered in relation to the individual horse, its age and stage of development.
This is particularly relevant within a breeding and youngstock environment. Foals become youngsters, youngsters begin their education and eventually many take their first steps towards work under saddle. Each stage brings changes, making it valuable to have dental care that develops alongside the horse.
What we observe in everyday management can also provide useful context. Changes in eating, behaviour or general comfort may be worth discussing with the appropriate professional, while their findings can in turn help us look more closely at what we see in the stable.
For us, dental care is another part of understanding and following the individual horse throughout its development.
No professional sees a horse every hour of every day. At the same time, daily experience with a horse cannot replace the specialist knowledge of a veterinarian, farrier or equine dental professional.
We believe the greatest value comes from bringing those perspectives together.
The things we observe in everyday management can provide useful context during professional care. In turn, the findings, knowledge and advice of the professionals around us can help shape the decisions we make afterwards.
This is particularly valuable when working with breeding mares, foals and young horses. Development is continuously changing, and something noticed during daily care may look different when considered from a veterinary, hoof-care or dental perspective.
For us, good collaboration is therefore not about transferring responsibility. It is about sharing observations, asking questions and making considered decisions with the individual horse at the centre.
Each professional brings a different area of expertise. Our role is to know our horses, observe them every day and bring those perspectives together when decisions need to be made.
