If your veterinarian always dismisses your concerns as those of an over-anxious horse owner, he or she is risking the possibility that you may be correct about something being wrong. Veterinarians should always listen to the horse's owner. Veterinarians should be willing to consult with other veterinarians and specialists regarding problems and possible treatments. A veterinarian working as a solo practitioner has less opportunity to physically interact with peers than does a veterinarian in a multi-person practice, but has plenty of opportunities to consult through the telephone and the internet. For horse owners, a veritable explosion of information is available in periodicals and on the internet.
Some information is more accurate than others.
Your veterinarian should be willing to take the time to talk to you about information you may have gleaned from such sources and, when appropriate, willing to learn from you. Your veterinarian should keep up with the current veterinary literature and periodically attend continuing education meetings. On top of all this, your veterinarian should always be available for emergencies or have an emergency contact available. Maintaining the optimum health and well-being of our horses is a team effort, and knowledge of disease and of treatments is constantly evolving. Veterinarians, farriers, and horse owners must work together for the good of the horse.