Jackson Veterinary Hospital

Those white birds walking alongside your horses are not random visitors. They're earning their keep. 🐦🐴

Cattle egrets and similar birds follow large animals specifically to feed on the insects that get stirred up as they graze. For the horses, it's a low-key symbiotic relationship: the birds reduce fly and insect pressure simply by being present.

It's a good reminder that a healthy, well-managed pasture is an ecosystem, not just a feeding space. The more balanced and diverse it is, the better it tends to support the animals living in it.

Seeing egrets in your pasture is generally a sign your grazing rotation and ground cover are in decent shape. 🙌

Everyone (humans and pets) indoors today!

We are experiencing a very hazardous air quality index currently and wanted to share some tips on how to keep your pets healthy and safe 💜

• Keep pets indoors
• Keep windows and doors closed
• Keep bathroom breaks short
• Wipe their fur with a damp cloth after being outdoors
• Make sure clean water is accessible
• Monitor for any abnormal behavior

Please contact your veterinarian if your pet is displaying respiratory distress, or any other out of the ordinary symptoms.

We are limiting the outdoor time of our shelter dogs and taking proper precautions to keep our staff safe as well ❤️

That harness fit matters more than you think! 🐾🩷

A harness that's too loose can let your dog slip out, and one that's too tight can cause chafing and discomfort on summer walks.

The two finger rule is a good place to start: you should be able to slip two fingers under any strap comfortably. Stop in and we can help you find the right fit for your pup this July! 💪

Slow feeders are one of the most underrated tools in summer horse management. Here's why 👇

When horses eat hay too fast, they take in large amounts of dry forage in a short window. In hot weather, this can actually increase the risk of choke and digestive upset because horses tend to drink less between big meals.

A slow feeder or hay net extends eating time, mimics more natural grazing behavior, keeps the gut moving consistently, and reduces the amount of time horses spend standing idle without forage.

In dry summer conditions where pasture is limited, this matters more than ever. 🙌