[hhfarm]

Can anyone make suggestions????????

I am from far out of the area, but may have found a horse that I want to purchase. Can anyone help with suggestions for a vet in the Washington DC area to do a pre-purchase exam????????

Thanks!

[mybeau1999]

Dr. Elizabeth Reese is in Potomac, she might be in Poolesville now though. Pretty close. She does all my vet checks :]

[LarissaL]

Hm. I have heard other reviews of Liz Reese. I would personally use Dr. Forfa at Monocacy Equine. He terrifies me when someone is using him to vet my horses! I think he's tough, but fair, and has the right clinic setup to evaluate most things that pop up.

If you can trailer out to VA, Dr. Spurlock (at his own clinic) and Dr. Allen at Virginia Equine Imaging always get good reviews. I have used Dr. Spurlock for many things and really like both he, his wife and the office staff.

[AKB]

I like to use Dr. Byron Young of Equine Emergency Vets for prepurchase exams. He used to be faculty at Morven Park, is a surgeon/lameness vet, has digital x-rays and lab equipment in his truck, and has a low key, easy to work with personality. Otherwise, I use Morven Park in Leesburg,VA.

[gottagrey]

I would second Dr. Forfa or Dr. O'Halloran - both of Monocacy as well. Dr. Forfa did a PPE for me several years ago, should've listened but I didn't..even though I didn't listen I felt he gave a very good, thorough and fair PPE. I say fair because he didn't offer or feel the need to go over the top w/ xrays and he was quite frank and upfront w/ his findings and opinion - and I don't mean that he was opinionated - its just that the horse had some issues that I chose to ignore (hence the I should've listened bit)

I would also recommend them for your veterinary care should you purchase a horse. I like the fact that they have a clinic if a horse needs to be in that type of environment. Also what's nice is since there are several vets in the practice it helps if you have an after hours emergency. I was in a situation once when I was at a horse show - my horse was somewhat colicky and dehydrated and needed a vet. We called Monocacy - one of the vets happened to be getting ready to play polo at a farm a few minutes away - next thing I knew he was at our trailer at the show!

[LarissaL]

Was that Dr. Donatelli?? My fav!! He came out on short notice for my severely lame horse. Brought his fiance along, as they'd been planning to do something together, after spending a few hours birthing a new baby horse at someone else's farm

I have used Monocacy for over 10 years for my regular vet care. Despite that, out of state buyers have been recommended (by their own sources) to use them and have gotten thorough, fair, unbiased evaluations of the horse for sale.

I'm not fond of Dr. O'Halloran as I think he's missing the people gene, but he's certainly understanding of horses. Dr. Jeanes is FANTASTIC for internal medicine, Dr. Donatelli for emergencies and Dr.'s Forfa and O'Halloran for more complex cases. I hate HATE the prices ($675 for a punctured hock - wraps and medicine!) but trust them implicitly. I am having my first encounter with another vet (first in 10 years) this week and wonder what I'll get.

[lakeville]

Linda Molesworth DVM.. An absolutely fabulous, tireless and dedicated equine specialist & lifelong horsewoman.
BAY EQUINE SERVICE, LLC
2195 Hunting Creek Road
Huntingtown, Maryland 20639

Phone: 410-535-9700 Fax: 410-535-2385

Email: bayequine@aol.com

[Dance_To_Oblivion]

I would second Dr. Elizabeth Reese. I used her when I lived in Maryland as did many others I knew and everyone I know speaks very highly of her.

[FairWeather]

What side of the beltway? What town specifically? The vets in Poolesville cannot help with horses in Annapolis if you know what I mean

[Lori B]

Dr. Peter Radue did the one for my horse, and is now our regular vet too. He seems kind, thorough, sensible, and has a nice touch w/ the horse.

[Erin Pittman]

What side of the beltway? What town specifically? The vets in Poolesville cannot help with horses in Annapolis if you know what I mean

We use Dr. Reese here at Dodon, so I know she'll travel to the Annapolis area. Other vets I'm familiar with and would recommend are Tidewater Vet Clinic down in Charlotte Hall. I used Dr. Jen Tacia (repro work) and Dr. Rania Lisas (routine) there - I'm pretty sure they go as far as Prince Georges County, but not sure how far north they'll travel. At the University for the campus horses we use Southern Maryland Equine - I really like Dr. Shari Kennedy there (301-420-4329). For our research farm in Ellicott City, we used Damascus Equine - mostly Dr. Mike Erskine, who I think is fantastic with lamenesses.

[retreadeventer]

Damascus, Monocacy, or Virginia Equine Imaging for pre purchase. Especially a horse meant for an upper level performance career.

[KSevnter]

Agree with PP, if the horse is meant for upper levels just pay a shipper to send it to Virginia Equine Imaging in Middleburg. Might was well use the vets in the area who specifically cater to performance (event) horses.

[asterix]

On the north/west side of DC, Monocacy or you can take the horse down to Middleburg to VEI (Dr Allen). Cannot go wrong there.

[bambam]

I will second what asterix said and add that if you can go to Middleburg I add Dr McCormack with Middleburg Equine to the list of the very good for a PPE. If you are on the NW side of DC in MD I would use Forfa way before I would use Damascus.

[curlykarot]

http://www.monocacyequine.com/ - Dr. Forfa is great!

You could also go with Spurlocks. I've never used them, but many friends have and have had nothing but good things to say about them.

[scubed]

I have used the Spurlocks for several horses and really like them. Dr. Allen is great, but expensive and since I have mostly purchased less expensive horses, have preferred to use Dr. Spurlock