I will be buying a horse in Ocala and will have the horse vetted. Can anyone recommend a vet that they have used and trust? Or vets that you would stay away from–every place has at least a few of those? Please message me privately with those you would avoid. I’m also looking for shipping/shipper recommendations from Ocala to Michigan. Ideally I could find a fellow eventer or H/J headed up this way with an extra slot on the trailer. Thank you in advance!
I used Dr. Lisa Casinella (https://ppes.bwfurlong.com/meet-the-vets-and-staff/) I was also remote & she was super with the communication & sending info and video to me and my vet here, never felt rushed or nervous about reaching out again with another question.
Shipping wasn’t as easy but since I was bringing her up in early April there were a lot of people headed home. The commercial shippers were so expensive, I drove it last year and was about to just drive down and get her myself but I had posted an ISO ride on FB & lucked out into a friend from MI headed home with her mare, I’m in St. Louis so we were able to meet about an hour and a half east of here - it was very generous of her & worked out perfectly!
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I know a Michigander heading to Ocala soon and will have an open slot on the way back. Shoot me a message for more info.
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No vet recommendations, but if you cannot hookup with a private ride, these guys did an awesome job for me (in 2010):
Dr McFarlin at Peterson & Smith is great.
Brook ledge for hauling. If you really want a private person, try posting in the HITS Ocala Facebook group.
Creech Horse Transport did a good job shipping my boy from Ocala to VA and then shipping all 3 from VA back to Ocala. I don’t know if they go to Michigan.
A friend had a horse vetted by Dr. Courtney Varney, and was pleased with the vetting.
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I second Dr Lisa Casinella. She is doing a prepurchase for me and was highly recommended by my regular sports medicine vet (who is also the vet for Phillip Dutton and Ryan Wood).
As for shipping, my trainer has a friend that ships privately. She has converted her trailer to box stalls, but she might only go as far north as Kentucky from Ocala. If you’d like more info, let me know.
Definitely Brookledge, hands down. I’ve been in all the big shipping company vans, I’ve shipped a bunch of horses all over the place and no one is as professional, easy to deal with, and has the safest vans then Brookledge.
I like Elizabeth Weber, https://cavalierequine.com/ she’s newer to the area, but super knowledgeable, can explain things in an easy to understand. She’s also events.
I also like Courtney Varney and Kent Cantrell out of Ocala Equine Hospital. They both also ride, are also realistic and good at explaining things.
Thank you all, I found a shipper and vet!!!
