On 6 August 2025, the EMU Equine Clinic team travelled to North Estonia for a busy field visit, delivering expert veterinary care directly to horses in their home stables. A wide range of cases were handled throughout the day — with both patient welfare and student training in focus.
The field team included veterinarians Dr Veera Koponen and Dr Felipe Corrêa, veterinary nurse Kati Kiipsaar, and veterinary medicine students Inga-Garmen Küttmann and Emilija Smiltė. The morning began with lameness evaluations, using gait analysis, flexion tests, and portable diagnostic tools to identify performance-limiting issues. Several horses underwent dental rasping to improve chewing comfort and bit acceptance, while others had on-site blood tests to assess general health, guide treatment, and detect early signs of illness.
Between cases, the team also addressed routine and urgent needs — ensuring that each horse received individualised attention and professional care.
For veterinary students, field visits like this offer invaluable learning opportunities. They develop practical skills in real-life conditions, from safe horse handling to interpreting diagnostic results. By assisting experienced veterinarians and a skilled nurse, students gain confidence, insight, and a deep appreciation for the teamwork and adaptability required in equine practice.
After a long and productive day, the team returned to Tartu tired but satisfied — having made a difference for horses and owners alike, and having given the next generation of veterinarians a hands-on day they won’t soon forget.
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Head Veterinarian of an Equine Clinic
Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences
Chair of Clinical Veterinary Medicine
Animal Clinic
