Thompson and Associates Equine Medicine

Happy Halloween! 🍬👻🎃

We hope your Halloween has more TREATS than tricks!
Give your horse a special treat from us!

–Your Team at TAEM

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

Communication is key 🔑

Our team communicates with your team every step of the way during your horse’s treatment. We know that good communication leads to happy owners and successful outcomes for the horse.

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

⭐ Please Note: All TAEM Clients ⭐

For EMERGENCIES, please call 𝟒𝟎𝟒-𝟖𝟔𝟓-𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟎 directly.
→ This number will connect you to the TAEM vet on call who will then be able to respond the fastest to your emergency. 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 “𝟎” 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧-𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫.

Your “regular” vet may not be able to respond to an emergency if they are not on call. However, our TAEM team works together to ensure our clients are covered at all times, including after hours, for those unexpected emergencies.

To ensure you get in touch with the TAEM vet that is on call for emergencies the quickest, PLEASE call 404-865-5000 for all emergencies
→ This is our direct emergency line and will connect you to the vet who is ready and on-call for all TAEM patients.

Thank you for being amazing clients! We are honored to be a part of your horse’s team.

Dr. Todd Thompson
Dr. Jennifer Melcher
Dr. Christine Murray
Dr. Andrea Shuck
Dr. Kendall Cannon

We know that vet exams can be stressful for your horse.

We treat every patient with patience and compassion in order to keep all horses and humans as safe and comfortable as possible during veterinary exams and procedures.

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

Whether you’re jumping jumps,
trotting down centerline,
hitting the trail,
or turning barrels…

Your horse deserves the best.

At TAEM, we are a team of experienced veterinarians and horse people that enjoy being a part of your horse’s TEAM.

Successful sporthorses have a strong and passionate team of professionals keeping them at the top of their game behind the scenes! 🐴

📸: Warren Petty
🤠: Stacie Humble
🐴: A Streak of Faith

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

👻 Happy Spooky Season! 🎃

While candy, haunted houses, and pumpkin carving are all fun and games… a horse that is consistently spooky is not.

Did you know that several health issues can lead to increased spookiness in horses?

Things like eye issues, hearing problems, and pain can lead to spooky behaviors in your horse.

If you think your horse is acting uncharacteristically spooky, give your vet a call!

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

We are excited to announce the newest member of our TAEM team! 🎉

Dr. Kendall Cannon joins us from the San Francisco Bay Area. Dr. Kendall grew up riding western and later rode on the hunter/jumper circuit.

She studied at Davidson College for her undergraduate degree, and completed her doctorate at the University of Tennessee. Upon graduation, she joined Equine Sports Medicine & Surgery, where she enjoyed working on sport horses. Her patients spanned the race track, hunter/jumpers, and dressage competitors.

Dr. Kendall’s fiancé, Chris; dog, Jessie; and cat, Stewie, made the cross-country trip with her. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking and hopes to make her way back into horseback riding. She is thrilled to join TAEM, and looks forward to meeting you and your horse(s)!

Horse Blankets 101 🧥

Horse blankets come in all sizes, colors, styles, and types. Here are some tidbits about blankets to help you shop for and use blankets this winter:

🔹T Y P E S🔹
𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 are to be used when your horse is inside and out of the elements.
𝐓𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 are to be used if your horse may be exposed to elements such as rain, wind, or snow. Most turnout blankets are waterproof/water-resistant and more durable than stable blankets.

🔹F I L L🔹
𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐥 is measured in grams and refers to the amount of polyfill or fiberfill between the blankets’ layers. The fill determines the warmth of the blanket.

No Fill = sheet/minimal warmth
100g = light weight/warmth
150-250g = medium weight/warmth
200-300g = heavy weight/warmth
300-400g = extra heavy weight/warmth

🔹D E N I E R🔹
𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐫 refers to the strength and durability of the blanket. If you have a blanket destroyer - you’ll want a high denier 😉

210 = very light strength
420 = light strength
600 = medium strength
1200 = heavy strength
1680 = extra heavy strength
2000 = super heavy strength

Ask your vet if you have any questions about blanketing your horse!

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912



Source: statelinetack.com

📸 Dr. Christine Murray, DVM, CERP, CEVMM

We offer numerous equine therapy options that can promote tissue repair, tendon rehabilitation, and decrease inflammation.

▪️ HA + Steroid Injections
▪️ Pro-Stride APS
▪️ IRAP
▪️ PRP
▪️ Stem Cell Injections
▪️ NoltrexVet

Interested in another type of therapy that you don’t see here? Just ask!

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

🍂 𝔽𝔸𝕃𝕃 Checklist 🍂

Fall is finally here!

This means that colder weather, shorter days, and furry coats are just around the corner. Here are some things to remember as we head into fall:

🔸Make sure your blankets are clean and ready to use - our first cold snap will be here before you know it!
🔸Check in with your hay dealer and make sure you will have plenty for the colder months - hay is harder to find in the fall and wintertime.
🔸Take note of your horse’s weight - horses sometimes lose weight in the fall/winter due to less grass and using energy to stay warm.
🔸Talk to your vet about any fall vaccines or checkups they recommend - a happy horse is a healthy horse!

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

𝒩𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒻𝑜𝓇𝑔𝑒𝓉 9.11.01

🔍 Finding the root of the problem… one flexed joint at a time!

Joint flexions are used during exams to help pinpoint lameness in the leg. Your vet will “flex”
specific joints by holding up your horse’s leg in specific positions for an extended period of time and then watch them jog off.

It’s kind of like if you were to sit with your legs crossed for a long time and then suddenly stand up and start running… would you jog sound?

If you have any questions about your horse or would like to set up an appointment, reach out to one of our veterinarians directly at:

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

Happy National Dog Day!

Shout out to all of the wonderful barn dogs 🐾
👇 Share a photo of your barn dog in the comments!

They’re by our side as we complete night checks.
They’re patiently waiting by the arena rail as we finish our ride.
They know how to respect barn cats and stay out of the way of a playful horse.
They sleep on old saddle pads and can drink out of a water trough.
They know exactly where the concession stand is at every horse show venue.
They may smell a little funky, but they’re the best companion any equestrian could have 🫶

“My horse feels ‘off’ but I’m not sure what/where it is…”

If your horse isn’t feeling 100%, call or text one of our veterinarians directly to set up an appointment.

If your horse isn’t feeling “off,” we still recommend regular flexions and comprehensive exams to prevent injury and maintain peak performance.

PLUS…

Several of our veterinarians are certified in equine performance and rehabilitation. We excel at diagnosing changes in your horse’s movement patterns, treating him with the latest, scientifically proven modalities, and creating a custom maintenance or rehabilitation plan to keep your horse performing his best.

Reach out to your veterinarian if you have any questions or want to set up an appointment:

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

💉 Lumbar Facet Injections: What & Why?

Some horses don’t make it obvious that they have back pain.

Horses, especially sport horses who are asked to perform at a high level, can slowly develop issues in their back over time.

These changes in their back muscles or spine can be hard to notice… Until it becomes extremely uncomfortable for the horse.

Luckily, there are lots of ways to detect why a horse may be sore in their back. Additionally, there are just as many ways to treat a horse’s sore back.

One of the treatment options for a horse with a sore back is 𝐋𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐚𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐭 𝐈𝐧𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. For these injections, an ultrasound is used to guide the injection of the facet joints in the spine.

𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐟 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧?
👉 Regular Performance Exams.

When one of our veterinarians is able to thoroughly examine your horse, even when they seem “fine,” it can be MUCH easier to detect slight changes in your horse’s performance. By detecting small changes early, you can help slow or halt the process of issues that may lead to back pain (or other types of pain).

Back pain in horses can be treated with a variety of therapies. For more information about back pain in horses and the available treatments, Dr. Jennifer recommends this article for further reading: https://thehorse.com/185315/equine-back-pain-dr-kent-allens-bag-of-diagnostic-and-treatment-tricks/

For more information about how we can help your horse and back pain management, give one of our vets a call or send a text to them directly:

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

Did you know❓
👉 Gastric Ulcers affect up to 90% of racehorses and 60% of show horses.

Ulcers can be present for a variety of reasons, however, ulcers are commonly caused by things like:
– Stress
– Hauling
– Training
– Changing horse turnout groups
– Strenuous exercise

The American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) recommends these tips to help treat and prevent gastric ulcers:
– Provide free-choice grass or hay
– Stable horses next to horses they know and keep things in their stalls to entertain them
– Feed smaller, more frequent meals
– Decrease grains that form volatile fatty acids
– Utilize acid-reducing medications such as omeprazole (administer with guidance from your veterinarian)

If you have any questions about gastric ulcers or suspect your horse may have gastric ulcers, contact one of our veterinarians directly at:

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912



Source: www.aaep.org

An inside look on WHY we put so much emphasis on the proper care, rehabilitation, and protection of our horse’s legs.

Some of the most common issues we see in horses are located in the leg or hoof… and this diagram shows us why!

The horse’s leg is made up of many delicate tendons, ligaments, and joints. As equestrians, we can take several steps to ensure our horse’s legs are kept as healthy as possible by:

🦵 Making sure any wraps or boots are applied correctly.
🦵 Feel our horse’s legs frequently and monitor for heat, swelling, or abnormalities.
🦵 Utilize tools such as cold hosing, ice, and therapeutic wraps to speed up recovery.
🦵 Keep our horses on a regular schedule with a farrier.
🦵 Be mindful of the footing we work our horses in.
🦵 Reach out to our veterinarian if we suspect any issues in our horse’s legs.

If you have any questions or need to schedule an appointment, reach out to one of our veterinarians directly via call or text at:

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912



📸 source: vetsouth.co.nz

POV: Your horse has an issue with their hoof - but you can’t describe exactly where… 🤔

𝑵𝒐𝒘 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏!

The bottom of a horse’s hoof has several important parts to it, and knowing the correct terms for each section could help you describe an issue to your vet or farrier if needed.

Take a screenshot and keep this on hand for your own reference!

For appointments or questions, call or text one of our veterinarians directly at:

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

🐴🦴Why VMM?

Veterinary Medical Manipulation (VMM) therapy is a great way to keep horses feeling good and performing their best.

The goal of treatment is to restore normal function and range of motion. VMM is a great adjunctive therapy to conventional lameness or performance exams.

The exam itself is a hands-on evaluation of the whole horse, identifying areas of restriction through motion palpation, and then adjusting those restrictions.

Both Dr. Christine Murray and Dr. Andrea Shuck received their Certification in Equine Veterinary Medical Manipulation (CEVMM) at Chi University in Ocala, FL. The courses at Chi are taught exclusively to veterinarians, with an in-depth emphasis on functional anatomy and biomechanics.

VMM is complementary to conventional therapies, adding "feel good" benefits without additional pharmaceuticals!

Interested in VMM for your horse? Call or text Dr. Christine or Dr. Andrea directly at:

Dr. Christine Murray 🔹 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck 🔸 770-686-8912

Maximize your horsepower 💪

A healthy horse is a happy horse!
And a happy horse does its job better.

Several of our veterinarians are certified in equine performance and rehabilitation. We excel at diagnosing changes in your horse’s movement patterns, treating him with the latest, scientifically proven modalities, and creating a custom maintenance or rehabilitation plan to keep your horse performing his best.

To schedule an appointment, reach out to one of our veterinarians directly at:
Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

How do I know if my horse is the correct weight?

The Henneke Body Condition Scoring (BCS) system is a standardized method used to assess the body fat and overall condition of horses.

Developed by Dr. Don Henneke in the early 1980s, this system provides a numerical scale ranging from 1 to 9, with 1 being "poor" (extremely thin) and 9 being "extremely fat."

The score is determined by evaluating six key areas on the horse’s body:
–Neck
–Withers
–Shoulders
–Ribs
–Loin
–Tailhead

Depending on several factors, such as: age, breed, or fitness level, most horses should score between a 4 to 6. To determine your horse's ideal BCS, talk with your veterinarian.

If you have any questions about your horse’s weight, reach out to your veterinarian directly at:
Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

Looking for a new partner this summer? 🐴

We are happy to provide thorough and unbiased Pre Purchase Exams for any new equine prospects.

Our experienced TAEM veterinarians will create a custom exam depending on your needs, which can include:
🏃 a lameness work up
🩻 radiographs
💊 drug screens
🔎 a thorough and complete exam
🩺 other specific areas of concern

We will communicate with you every step of the way so that you can adjust the exam as necessary.

Ready to schedule a PPE? Have any questions? Reach out to one of our veterinarians directly at:

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

Our vets are on the go! 🛻

At TAEM, all of our veterinarians are completely mobile.

From offering lameness exams to vaccines and everything in between, our vets can treat and examine your horse right from the comfort of your own farm.

We have been proudly serving the North Atlanta equestrian community for several decades.

To schedule an appointment, reach out to one of our veterinarians directly at:

Dr. Todd Thompson | 770-206-0282
Dr. Jennifer Melcher | 770-652-4926
Dr. Christine Murray | 770-652-3731
Dr. Andrea Shuck | 770-686-8912

Poll Time! 🐴

What discipline do you ride in? Reply in the comments below! 👇

Dressage? Hunter/Jumper? Reining? We’d love to know!