Not looking to breed but hoping for more experience/expertise in this forum
Do you like New Bolton or Mid-Atlantic Equine better for reproductive services? An ultrasound yesterday showed a speckled follicle - and also confirmed that she is indeed blowing through Regumate. It sounds like there could be a couple of things going on so I’d like to work with a specialist. Thanks!
I can’t speak to repro vets, but I will note that you should about access if you want to be present for the exam. My understanding is that New Bolton is allowing owners to stay with their horses in the barn, and Mid-Atlantic is generally requiring you to hand the horse over to staff and stay outside.
I think you mean the reverse? At least that is my recent experience with New Bolton - which is an excellent point.
I do like NBC for some things…but my local vet has shared with me a few horror stories about a friend’s mare who went to be bred at NBC. Mare stayed open but they didn’t do any of the things they were supposed to (apparently one of the residents did their own thing and didn’t follow certain protocols). And NBC you can’t be in there while the horse is having any testing done (had my gelding up there for an US recently and had to wait in the truck). Given some of that…I think I would go with MidAtlantic if I was breeding right now.
New Bolton used to allow you to be present for many things, but covid changed that. Even as recently as a few months ago they still were not allowing owners in. I hope they go back to being more flexible.
I used to work at NBC. But when I did lay-ups many years ago, most of the clients requested Mid-Atlantic, but they weren’t having repro work done.
New Bolton has a lot more access than Mid-Atlantic. You just have so many more services on one campus. I think that is a major “pro.”
Once upon a time Mid-Atlantic was more affordable, but now I think the opposite is likely true (I haven’t used Mid-Atlantic in many, many years, though).
Yes, you are correct. (Although pre-COVID the opposite was true). I had a horse at Mid-Atlantic in December and I was not allowed in while things were going on, but they did let me back at the end to go over discharge instructions. I was pleased with the care he received (not repro).
We use Dr. Dobbie from NBC for all our mare repro work now (although it is generally at our farm) and she’s fantastic and would absolutely be my go to. At the main NBC hospital, it is true that covid/post-covid you can no longer go in with the horse for diagnostics which I don’t like but they aren’t the only place that made those changes permanent. I’m not sure if that carries over to the Hoffman Center or not.
Thanks y’all. Awaiting results of the uterine culture and will go from there. I’m inclined to try Mid Atlantic because of the ongoing hand-off protocol at NBC (thanks for reminding me of that - I just had a horse there for a week in October so you’d think I would have remembered that).
Incidentally, with respect to cost difference I do think New Bolton may be cheaper. My horse’s week long stay in October was nearly 1k less than a friend’s bill for the same exact issue and same length of stay at Mid Atlantic. Almost identical treatments, although my bill included additional x rays and a neuro exam as well, so I definitely got more for my money at NBC. I’m sure it’s not always true but pretty much an apples to apples comparison.
Either way I am so grateful to have two good options!
We are lucky in this area to have so many good options!
Years ago, when I both worked at New Bolton and also had a horse business where I was sending clients’ horses to New Bolton, everyone complained about the cost.
I moved out of the area for more than a decade, then moved back. I was blown away how affordable my New Bolton bills have been lately. Way cheaper than if I tried to manage issues through my home vet, who isn’t even particularly expensive as compared to other vets I have used.
New Bolton also has gotten very good at providing accurate quotes. They have really made this a priority.
They even readmitted a mare and foal for free last year. No bill for two horses on meds staying an extra 24 hours. Who does that?!?
Anyway, while I don’t ever want a big vet bill,
I always feel compelled to speak out and tell people they have done a good job making their prices some of the most competitive in the area.
100% agree with you about New Bolton being surprisingly reasonable for many things. Definitely believe that it often ends up being cheaper to just go to NBC rather than working with your vet and trying 6 diffierent things before you finally get the “answer” when NBC has everything right there to get the “answer” nearly immediately.
Has anyone used Select Breeder Services in Cecil County for mare reproductive work?
Select was recommended by a friend who does a lot of breeding. I would go there if it was a bit more convenient for me.
I know people who use them and love them.
I have no firsthand experience as they opened after I moved out of the area and I haven’t been breeding since I’ve been back in the area (sans my surprise foal).
Too far for me, but I’ve only heard good things.
update: despite being on the website, they only offer “basic” repro services at Mid-Atlantic now. Not sure exactly what that entails but I was told they can’t help me figure out what’s going on with my mare breaking through Regumate.
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