Columbia Equine Hospital

Dr. Megan Rioux-Forker and Michelle are an awesome team. While at our stable caring for two other horses, Dr. Megan agreed to look at my horse, who had just come up lame. Dr. Megan quickly diagnosed his hoof abscess, and worked with Michelle to poultice and wrap it while explaining everything to me. My horse wanted to go home with them. Thank you! Read Less

When my draft-cross filly was 3 yo, she had what really was an abscess. However, Dr. Brian Johnson of Vancouver, WA, came out and diagnosed her with a "quittor," which was common in draft horses about 100 years ago when they were used to pull plows, etc. (I found out later it's a very outdated diagnosis but I trusted vets at the time). Dr. Johnson told me that abscesses "never broke out over the top of the hoof" (which I also found out later was not true) so it had to be a quittor. I hauled my filly into Columbia Equine where Scott Hansen, DVM, aka, "The Leg Man," automatically followed Dr. Johnson's diagnosis and performed surgery on my filly which consisted of cutting into/opening up her left foot. He later told me he didn't find anything (i.e., anything that looked like a quittor). I took her home a day or 2 later (with antibiotic beads inside her surgical wound) and 1 or 2 weeks later, she was still lame. I brought her back to Dr. Hansen and told him I thought I saw something on the bottom of her foot. I said, "look at the bottom of her foot, look at the bottom of her foot." He finally did and responded, "you're right, it is an abscess." This is $3,500 later in unnecessary surgery for a blatant misdiagnosis. I'm sure I could have filed a veterinary malpractice claim against both vets but I chose not to. However, I will never use Dr. Johnson or Dr. Hansen, "The Leg Man" (who is obviously not "The Leg Man") ever again. Read Less

Dr. Greg Schmid is our vet for our two quarter horse mares and he is absolutely wonderful! He is kind and thorough and we trust him with the health of our beloved horses. He is patient with our girls and with all our many many questions. He never makes us feel rushed and always has great advice to offer. We were very lucky to hear him give a lecture recently about recognizing emergency health concerns and the actions to take to help horses in need. He is a wealth of information, delivered with a great sense of humor. It is clear he cares deeply about his 4-legged patients and educating their owners. This area is lucky to have him! -Susan and Carrie Breeden Read Less

This review is for the services of the  "Certified Equine Dentist  at the practice and his assistant".  After moving too far from my favorite Vet  (Equus Vet) for  services -he recommended this practice.  After I found out they have a certified equine dentist on staff  I was excited to try out the service.  I was able to get 4 other boarders at my barn to also have the teeth float  to bring the total amount of NEW business to this practice of 5 horses.  I have a nervous ex racehorse who can rear and strike out when stressed.  The assistant had placed the shiny  supply table and large buckets with hot water very close to the stall opening where the float would take place.  The metal table and buckets scared my horse and were placed so that if my horse spooked he would be hitting the buckets. Horse then refused to move into the stall.  I was working with my trainer via my horses trained method of pressure and release on the lead line.  When all of sudden this assistant goes behind my horse to start pushing and slapping him. She never asked if she could help or anything about my horse.  I could see my horse was about to freak out and probably smash his head on the overhead lighting.  I told her to stop pushing my horse he going to go up and flip.   The assistant then stomped off and hid in the vets car for the entire procedure.I was left to try and hold my horse and make sure everything was ok.  My horses head was swinging a lot in the sling  during the procedure since the assistant was AOL. I kept asking the vet what to do but he was concentrating on the procedure and barely spoke to me.  So I spent the entire time hoping I was doing the right thing.  I also used this vet for yearly shots since it was time and he was there, which caused my horse to be sick for five days.  When I called the practice a few days later to talk about this experience the vet never called me back.Vet also never followed up on issues my horse had from shots.  ON the amusing side, the "assistant" jumped out of the vets truck the second my horses float was done and was so artificially sweet for the rest of the clients floats- it became hilarious how hard she was trying.  I even walked by and saw her holding and stabilizing another horse in the swing-so obviously that's part of her job. I will never use this practice again. If anyone can recommend a good equine dentist in Clark County do tell..... Read Less

I am so very thankful for the professionalism & quality of care my mare received while at Columbia Equine!! If Dr Hansen had not caught her bone infection & did surgery when he did she wouldn't be with us today! Not only is she with us, I've been riding her 4-5 days a week & we will be ready to show this spring!! Thank you so much Dr Hansen & all of the staff who had a part in Roxy's care!! I am forever thankful to you!!! Read Less

I've been a client of Columbia Equine's for over 12 years. As an experienced horse person who has lived in several states before settling here, I can honestly say that Columbia and their entire staff possess top notch knowledge in both preventative/wellness as well as the tools for advanced diagnostic medicine addressing the needs of horses in ALL age ranges, and disciplines.The entire staff and Doctors are passionate about helping horse owners keeping their beloveds healthy and helping to heal them when illness or trauma strikes & do so using a WIDE BASE of knowledge. Their facilities are always immaculate, their farm call fees reasonable and their emergency response time is fast. I feel fortunate to have such a clinic to call upon for all my equine health/med needs.Read Less

Sometimes everything goes wrong. We hired a new farrier and did not verify her certification or get references from actual customers.  Our horse received an enthusiastically yet poorly directed nail that bled and caused him great pain.   We called the Clinic recommended by the barn to tend the wound. And again for pain management. And again. The vet refused to come out a fourth time  pronouncing the horse sound. We called Columbia Equine the same day.  A veterinarian came right out, recognized the horse had an infected hoof. Poor guy- Very lame, a fever, in pain.  The vets and staff cared for our horse and arranged for hospitalization. They worked on our horse every day for three weeks. Procedures to clean the abscess, daily flushing,  packing, antibiotics and words of encouragement.  The staff at Columbia Equine Hospital are professional, skillful, communicative and kind. Read Less