Vet for PPE in Tucson - recommendations?

[Relative_Ease]

After a 25-year haitus, followed by re-rider re-starts, leases and lessons, and then a year of searching, I’m poised for my horse ownership comeback! I found a guy I love and want to get vetted. He’s in Tucson, and I’m hoping to find a reputable vet that the owner/breeder has NOT used before - so after considering the list of excluded vets below, is there anyone good left?

Excluded from consideration: Reata (vets have been primary care vets), Adobe, Cortaro, Freedom Run, Pegasus, Well-Horse Integrative.

Potential other options to consider: Avra (not much info on the doc), Bandalero (specializes in reproduction), Jackpot (also not much info, and mixed small animal care).

If it makes a difference, I plan to pursue endurance and dabble in lower level dressage and jumping - not super competitive, but soundness and longevity matter so I’m planning to do X-rays and would love a vet who regularly works with performance horses of any sort. Thanks for any suggestions and input!

[Due_s_Mom]

I use Jackpot since my vet retired and have been quite happy with them. You might also check out Dr. Michael Sorum in PHX. Pity about Reata as Mike Conaway does a great PPE. You could also check out Mike Hutchinson at Pegasus Veterinary

[Where_sMyWhite]

I don’t know if a PPE would be do-able but University of Arizona has a new College of Veterinary Medicine and a Race Track Industry Program.

Maybe there is a opportunity for the clinical students to perform a PPE? (RTIP is a much older program, the Vet School is new.)

[reefy]

The only other one I know of in Tucson that’s not on your list is Jackpot.

Sorry just saw they are on your potential list! That’s who I would call.

[Amym600]

Honestly, you listed all the good ones as exclusions!

[hillary_again]

Some of the Phoenix-area vets will travel to Tucson. Last year, when I was horse shopping, Dr Fabio Aristizabal at Cave Creek Equine did several PPEs for me and told me he would travel that far, and I highly recommend him. Mike Sorum is excellent as well. There are several other vets who work in the SE area of greater Phoenix and might be able to travel that far. I don’t know any of the vets in Tucson.

[Relative_Ease]

Thank you all so much for the input! I agree - the ones I would have picked first are the ones I would have gone for.

Reefy and Due’s Mom, thanks for the mentions of Jackpot - that makes me feel better. I know one other person who uses them as well, so that is very helpful. They seem like a very young practice, experience-wise, which gave me pause, but I will definitely give them a call. Anyone in particular who you’d recommend for a rigorous PPE?

On Freedom Run, one of the two vets has NOT seen the owner’s horses - Dr. Sara Brooks - but I can’t find any reviews or external information about her at all. I know that’s not uncommon for veterinarians, but in the absence of specific referrals, it’s nice to see some online presence.

Thanks for the tip on the Phoenix-area vets. The horse’s owner is actually willing to haul to Phoenix but we’re both reluctant to haul in the current heat. Still, up there, Dr. Stacey Sickler looks good, and I will definitely look into Dr. Aristizabal and others. I had not assumed they’d travel that far (and it might not be cost effective either), but it can’t hurt to ask!

Thanks so much again.

[Due_s_Mom]

I like Dr. Lindsey Smogor at Jackpot. She interned at Gilbert so if she doesn’t know the answer to something she checks in with them. She isn’t afraid to say “I don’t know but I can find out”. I like that in a vet.

[reefy]

What she ^ said

[Relative_Ease]

You guys are great - thank you so much! Your input is so helpful and I feel much more informed. Jackpot had uniformly good recommendations from a few other folks I asked as well, so I have my PPE with Dr. Lindsey Smogor on Friday at their facility, which sounds very nice. Fingers and toes crossed for no surprises!