Equine Preventive Care Exam

What Is a Preventive Veterinary Exam for Horses—And Why Is It So Important?

Your horse may look healthy on the outside, but a lot can be going on beneath the surface. A preventive veterinary exam is a thorough health check that helps ensure your horse stays in top condition—whether they’re a pasture pet, weekend trail buddy, or performance athlete.
doctor treating a horse
horses running in the field

During a routine preventive exam, your vet will:

  • Take a full physical exam, checking heart rate, respiratory function, temperature, and hydration.
  • Examine eyes, teeth, and hooves, which are critical to your horse’s comfort and performance.
  • Evaluate body condition and weight, helping catch nutritional or metabolic issues early.
  • Perform a dental exam, often followed by a float if needed—dental problems are common and can impact weight, behavior, and digestion.
  • Listen for gut sounds to assess digestive health and help catch early signs of colic risk.
  • Discuss vaccination and deworming needs, based on your horse’s lifestyle, age, and regional risks.
  • Review nutrition, behavior, workload, and environment to provide personalized care recommendations.
  • Offer screening for common conditions, such as Cushing’s disease (PPID), insulin resistance, or lameness issues, especially in aging or high-performance horses.

Why It Matters

Horses are masters at hiding pain and discomfort. By the time a problem becomes obvious, it could already be serious. Regular preventive exams help catch health concerns early—before they become costly or life-threatening. They’re also a great opportunity to build a strong vet-client relationship and create a proactive care plan tailored to your horse.

Whether your horse is young or senior, stabled or out on pasture, an annual or biannual wellness check is one of the best ways to protect their long-term health and happiness.

dog under treatment

Veterinary Services in Yuma, AZ

Adoptions

Diagnostic Lab Services

Disbudding/
Dehorning

Endoscopy

Equine Dentistry

Equine Gastroscopy

Equine Veterinary Services

Equine End-of-Life Care

Equine Ultrasound

Equine and Livestock Health Certificates

Equine Endoscopy

Equine Radiology

Equine Lameness Exams

Equine Microchipping

Equine Vaccination

Equine Preventative Care Exam

Equine Osteopathic Adjustments

Feral Cat Care

Gastroscopy

Herd and Flock Exams

Hospice and End-of-Life Care

Home Euthanasia Services

Lameness Exams

Laser Therapy

Livestock & Small Ruminants

Livestock Vaccinations

Microchipping

Nutrition

Osteopathic Adjustments

Parasite Control

Poultry and Waterfowl

Pot Belly and Mini Pig Care

Preventative Herd and Flock Exams

Preventative Care Exam

Radiology

Small Animal Preventative Care Exam

Small Animal Dentistry

Surgery

Spays and Neuters

Small Ruminant Care

Small Animal Services

Small Animal Health Certificates

Ultrasound

Vaccinations