Gateway Equine Veterinary Services, Inc.

11/05/2026

Prepurchase Exams: It’s Not About Pass or Fail!

Buying a horse is an exciting decision, whether you’re looking for your next prospect, performance horse, or reliable trail partner. Before you make that commitment, a prepurchase exam can help you make a more informed decision.

At Gateway Equine, we believe a prepurchase exam isn’t about deciding whether a horse "passes or fails". It’s about understanding the horse in front of you and deciding whether their health, soundness, and potential needs fit YOUR goals.

What are the benefits of a Prepurchase exam?

1) Knowing what you’re buying. Identify existing concerns or findings that may be important to your decision. Also, finding factors that may influence the sale process if you decide to sell the horse in the future.

2) Planning for future care. Understand what findings might require monitoring, management, additional diagnostics, or ongoing veterinary care.

3) Matching the horse to your goals. A horse with a particular issue might still be a great fit for one rider or discipline, but not the right fit for another. Knowing about potential veterinary expenses or limitations ahead of time can help you decide what you’re comfortable taking on.

4) Setting realistic expectations. Every horse is an individual, and understanding their current condition can help you prepare for what ownership may look like down the road.

The goal isn’t necessarily to find a perfect horse. It’s to make sure you understand the horse you’re considering and feel confident about the decision you’re making.

A finding on a prepurchase exam doesn’t automatically mean you shouldn’t buy the horse. It means you have information to help you decide what you can reasonably manage and whether that horse is the right fit for you.

Knowledge before ownership can make all the difference.

Have questions about prepurchase exams or need to schedule one? Reach out to us! We’re happy to help you navigate the process. 530-955-6556

💬 Question for you: What’s the one thing you would want to know before bringing your next horse home?

10/26/2026

Thank you to this client for sharing a glimpse of Dr. Ari Merari caring for her horse at home during a colic episode!

At Gateway Equine, we know emergencies can happen when you least expect them. Our team provides emergency care to help horses when they need it most.

If your horse isn’t acting like themselves or you’re concerned about a potential emergency, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help!

📞 Call or text Gateway Equine at 530-955-6556 in the event of an emergency..

10/23/2026

Celebrating Our Amazing Technicians/Support Staff at Gateway Equine!

Today, we want to give a heartfelt THANK YOU to our incredible technicians! Your dedication, compassion, and hard work make such a difference in the lives of our patients and the clients who trust us with their care.

From the long days to the countless little things that often go unseen, you show up every day with teamwork, kindness, and a love for what you do. You are an essential part of our team, and we are so grateful for everything you bring to Gateway Equine.

Thank you for caring for our patients as if they were your own, supporting our clients through every step, and helping us provide the very best care possible. We couldn’t do it without you!

Help us celebrate our amazing technicians and show them some love in the comments!

09/24/2026

ANSWERS WITH DR. ARI
𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐘 𝐊𝐈𝐓: 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐎𝐍 𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐃?

When an equine emergency happens, having the right supplies already in the barn can make a stressful situation much easier and can buy you valuable time while you're waiting for the vet.

Here are some things Dr. Ari recommends keeping readily available:

𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓-𝐀𝐈𝐃 & 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄
Disposable latex or nitrile gloves
Scissors (Bandage & regular)
Hair Clippers
Antiseptic solutions (chlorhexidine or betadine)
Gauze squares (4x4s)
Sterile non-stick dressings
Rolled cotton
Vet wrap (Coban)
Elastikon (Elastiant)
Duct tape (only for foot bandages)
Diapers (for foot bandaging)

𝐁𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐂 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐄𝐐𝐔𝐈𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓
Digital thermometer
Stethoscope
Stopwatch

Knowing your horse's normal temperature, pulse and respiratory rate is helpful when talking with your veterinarian during an emergency
(Typical heart rate ~40/min, Respiratory ~16/min, Temperature ~100.0F).

𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐒𝐒 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐕𝐄𝐓

Your emergency medication supply can be individualized for your horse if they have specific history. Some commonly prescribed medications may include:

Banamine (Flunixin Meglumine) – commonly used for pain and inflammation, including colic pain.
Bute (Phenylbutazone) – commonly used for musculoskeletal pain and inflammation.
Gastric Anti-Ulcer medications (Gastrogard/Ulcergard, etc.) if your horse has a history of gastric disease or is prone to colic.
Antibiotics
Eye medications

✅We always recommend against giving anti-inflammatories or antibiotics without discussing it with the vet first. Antibiotics are not typically dispensed to have “on hand”, but if you do have some, always ask prior to giving any to your horse as it can delay whether we can give more potent antibiotics if needed.

TAKE NOTE:
👉An eye injury or significant squinting is an emergency. Don't put ointments, steroids, or other eye medications into an injured eye unless the vet instructs you. Some medications can make certain eye injuries significantly worse.
👉A very swollen limb, a laceration or puncture in a joint region, or severe lameness is an emergency.

💬Share a story of your most memorable equine emergency in the comments, and we’ll select one to receive a free Emergency Kit to pick up at the office!

If you would like to purchase or need assistance putting an emergency kit together, we can help: call/text 530-955-6556

09/14/2026

We had a great time talking to everyone at the Penn Valley barrel race yesterday! Tomorrow, we will be in Lincoln at Triple Crown Equestrian center for the Tuesday night barrel race. If you're there, come say hi, get some goodies and get your horse scoped for a discounted price!

08/30/2026

Ouch! This poor horse got bitten multiple times by a rattlesnake in the leg this week. Dr. Ari was able to respond immediately and ended up giving 2 doses of Antivenin to rapidly start reversing the effect of the venom and get her on the road to recovery.

08/29/2026

𝐖𝐞'𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐞𝐧𝐧 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐥 𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞! 🐎

We’re excited to support this event! We'll be offering discounted post-run scoping for $𝟏𝟐𝟎 to check for airway bleeding, chat with you about anything else going on with your horse, and cheer everyone on.

Horses put tremendous stress on their respiratory systems, and Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) can seriously impact both lung health and performance. Passing an airway scope directly identifies bleeding and give valuable information about a horse’s respiratory health.

📍 Penn Valley Barrel Race
📅 September 13th, 10am to 1pm

Healthy lungs. Stronger runs. Better performance.

Come see us at the race or reach out to learn more.

530-955-6556 / gatewayequine.com / [email protected]

08/26/2026

⚡ 𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐕𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 🐴

Equine sports medicine is continuously evolving, and Shockwave Therapy has become a go-to tool for targeted recovery and pain management based on years of research.

By delivering high-energy sound waves that focus directly to injured tissues, this non-invasive treatment supports recovery from the inside out:

• Stimulates Tissue Repair: highly effective for stubborn tendon and proximal suspensory ligament injuries.
• Improves Circulation: Drives blood flow and essential nutrients directly to targeted areas.
• Targeted Relief: Reduces pain associated with injuries and arthritis.

Every horse requires an individualized approach, and Shockwave Treatments are always just one part of a customized veterinary diagnosis and treatment plan.
𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥/𝐓𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝟓𝟑𝟎-𝟗𝟓𝟓-𝟔𝟓𝟓𝟔
𝐄𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥- [email protected]
𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞 - gatewayequine.com

💬 Have you used Shockwave Therapy as part of your horse’s rehabilitation? Let us know your experience in the comments!

08/23/2026

𝐈𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐧 𝐄 & 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐮𝐦? 🐴
Keep reading for special promotion 🩸

Essential for muscle function, immune health, and nerve support, these power antioxidants work together to protect your horse’s body from cellular damage.

Because regional soils and hay diets are often low in these vital nutrients, deficiency can lead to:
-Muscle soreness or stiffness
-Poor recovery after exercise
-Weakened immunity
-Neurological issues

Testing before/during supplementing ensures you’re giving the right amount your horse needs, without risking toxicity or wasting money on unnecessary supplements.

🩸 Special Promotion: For the next 2 weeks, get comprehensive Vitamin E & Selenium blood testing for just $120!

Give us a call/text or send a direct message today to schedule an appointment before this offer ends! 530-955-6556
Gatewayequine.com

✅Local, Independent, Trusted.
✅Equine-exclusive veterinary practice in Penn Valley, CA.
✅Out-patient clinic and ambulatory services.
✅Lameness evaluation including digital radiography and ultrasonography
✅Treatment options including orthobiologics.