Hoofbeats Equine Retirement Center:
A Loving Home for Your Horse’s Next Chapter
Welcome to Hoofbeats Equine Retirement Center, where your horse’s golden years are nurtured with expert care and compassion. Nestled in the serene landscapes of Central Virginia, our facility is uniquely veterinary-supervised, providing unparalleled attention in a peaceful, pasture-based environment. With nearly two decades of experience in equine veterinary care, our dedicated team ensures that your horse receives tailored, comprehensive care, from daily grooming and specialized nutrition to chiropractic adjustments and advanced therapies. We understand the deep bond between humans and horses, and our goal is to offer a life of leisure, friendship, and exceptional care in their retirement. Through our Otto Application, you’ll receive regular updates, keeping you connected to your horse’s well-being. Whether your horse is a retired athlete or a cherished companion, we are committed to providing the gold standard of care, making their retirement years as fulfilling and comfortable as possible.
Heart of Champions
They carry us through heat, cold, rain, and wind.
They carry us through fear, anxiety, and into the unknown.
They carry us through pain, confusion, and exhaustion.
They carry us for our glory, not theirs.
They carry us when we ignore their voices.
They carry us past their breaking point.
They carry us when they just want rest.
They have majestic souls.
They have powerful minds.
They have the hearts of champions.
They forgive us when we make mistakes.
They carried us, now it’s time to carry them.
Time passes quickly. The sand in the hourglass falls faster than we imagined. Just like us, our horses grow weary. Injuries occur, time marches on, and good days get small. Our champions deserve golden years. They earned our respect, our trust, and our dedication as they carried us. They should not get tossed away. They earned their pedestal. They earned glory days in retirement. We are committed to providing those glory days.
Thank you for trusting us with your champions.
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Why choose Hoofbeats Equine Retirement Center?
Because Every Horse Deserves the Best
Choosing Hoofbeats Equine Retirement Center means choosing a lifetime of care, compassion, and expertise for your horse. We are dedicated to making their retirement years as fulfilling, healthy, and happy as possible.
At Hoofbeats Equine Retirement Center, we understand that choosing the right retirement home for your horse is a deeply personal decision. Here’s why we stand out as the gold standard of care for your horse’s golden years:
Retirement Package Services
Weekly or Monthly Updates Through Otto Application
We know how important it is to stay connected with your horse. Our Otto Application provides consistent updates, keeping you informed about your horse’s well-being and care. This feature is a key part of our commitment to transparent and thorough communication.
Daily Grooming and Hoof Picking
Your horse’s comfort is our priority. We provide daily grooming and hoof picking during feeding times, allowing us to monitor any changes in their health closely. This routine helps maintain your horse’s comfort and cleanliness.
Monthly Spa Day
Skin health is crucial, especially for senior horses. Our monthly bathing service ensures that your horse remains clean and comfortable, promoting overall well-being.
Fly Sheet / Fly Mask / Blanket Application (Seasonal)
We provide seasonal applications of fly sheets, fly masks, and blankets to protect your horse from harsh weather and pests, ensuring their comfort throughout the year.
Daily Medication and Supplement Administration
We understand the importance of maintaining your horse’s health through daily medications and supplements. Our team at Hoofbeats Equine Retirement Center will ensure your horse receives their prescribed doses consistently.
Complimentary Monthly Chiropractic Adjustment
Chiropractic care is vital for maintaining joint and spinal health, especially for aging horses. At Hoofbeats Equine Retirement Center, we offer a complimentary monthly chiropractic adjustment, ensuring your horse’s nervous system remains in optimal condition. Additional adjustments are available upon request.
Monthly Weight Checks
Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial as horses age. We perform monthly weight checks and adjust their nutritional plan as needed to ensure they remain in good condition.
Annual Dental Care
Dental health is a cornerstone of your horse’s overall well-being. Our experienced veterinarians provide annual dental exams and treatments, checking for loose or broken teeth and updating their medical records accordingly.
Annual Vaccines and Coggins Test
We ensure your horse stays up-to-date with essential vaccines and the annual Coggins test, safeguarding their health and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Six-Week Trim Cycle
Regular hoof care is vital for your horse’s comfort. We coordinate with our trusted farrier to provide trims every six weeks. If sedation or pain medication is needed, it can be administered for an additional fee.
Premium Nutrition: Senior Grain and Free Choice Hay
We offer top-quality Purina Equine Senior with Outlast feed, designed for optimal GI health and gastric ulcer prevention. For horses with limited teeth or poor dentition, we provide soaked feed to ensure they receive the nutrition they need.
Additional Offerings
Sedation and Pain Medication for Farrier Visits
For horses that require extra care during hoof trims, we offer sedation and pain medication to ensure their comfort.
Class IV Regenerative Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is an effective, non-invasive treatment for pain, inflammation, and circulation issues. We offer customized laser therapy packages tailored to your horse’s specific needs.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is available for treating musculoskeletal, soft tissue, and bone injuries, as well as managing arthritis and back pain in senior horses.
Annual Metabolic Testing
As horses age, they are more prone to metabolic conditions like Equine Cushing’s Disease (PPID) and Metabolic Syndrome. We recommend annual testing to monitor these conditions and adjust care as needed.
Annual Wellness Bloodwork
Early detection is key to maintaining your horse’s health. We conduct comprehensive annual bloodwork to monitor kidney, liver, and muscle health, as well as immune function, with results reviewed and recommendations made by our veterinarians.
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Get To Know Our Team
At Hoofbeats Equine Retirement Center, our team is the heart of everything we do. Each member brings a wealth of experience, dedication, and genuine love for horses, ensuring that your equine companions receive the gold standard of care.
With over two decades of experience in equine veterinary care, Dr. Ashman is not only a skilled veterinarian but also a passionate advocate for the well-being of retired horses. Her expertise in body lameness and chiropractic care sets her apart, and her commitment to treating every horse as her own ensures that your horse is in the best hands.
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Dr. Smith’s background in equine surgery and holistic care makes her a vital part of our team. Her deep understanding of both traditional and complementary therapies allows her to provide comprehensive care tailored to each horse’s unique needs. Her dedication to promoting health and happiness in every horse she treats is unmatched.
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Tina, affectionately known as “T-Bird,” has been a trusted member of our team for nearly 20 years. Her hands-on experience with horses and her special interest in Foundation Quarter Horses make her a knowledgeable and compassionate caregiver. Tina is known for her warm, attentive care, always going the extra mile to ensure each horse feels loved.
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Angela’s lifelong love for horses and extensive background in both the medical and animal health fields make her an invaluable part of our team. Her organizational skills and warm personality ensure that every client interaction is smooth and reassuring, helping to maintain the high standards of care we pride ourselves on.
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Julie combines her experience as a 911 dispatcher with her deep love for animals to provide compassionate care at our center. Her expertise in laser therapy and dedication to the well-being of our horses make her a key contributor to our team’s success.
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Ann Bradshaw dedicated her life to human psychology. She practiced for many years in Atlanta and eventually moved on to teaching at Longwood University and VCU. After retiring to her nearby farm and adopting many rescue horses, she has an even deeper understanding of the power that horses have to heal humans.
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A Glimpse Into Our World
Take a virtual tour of our farm and see firsthand the care and attention we provide to each horse. With lush pastures, spacious stables, and scenic trails, our farm offers a peaceful haven for retired horses. Our facilities are not only functional but also reflect our commitment to creating a comfortable and welcoming environment.
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Otto: Your Pet’s App
Stay Connected with Your Horse’s Care
At Hoofbeats Equine Retirement Center, we believe in keeping you closely connected with your horse’s well-being through our advanced Otto application. This innovative tool allows us to provide you with real-time updates and comprehensive information about your horse’s health and daily activities, no matter where you are.
Key Features:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Hoofbeats Equine Retirement Center different from other retirement facilities?
Hoofbeats Equine Retirement Center stands out as a veterinary-supervised facility, offering comprehensive care directly from our experienced veterinary team. Our focus on the human-horse bond, combined with advanced medical facilities and personalized care, ensures that each horse receives exceptional attention and treatment.
What types of horses do you accept for retirement?
We welcome retired athletes, pets, and horses of all backgrounds. Regardless of their history, we are dedicated to providing a life of leisure and specialized care tailored to each horse’s needs.
What is included in the retirement package?
Our retirement package includes weekly or monthly updates through the Otto application, daily grooming, monthly bathing, fly sheet/mask/blanket application, daily medication/supplement administration, monthly chiropractic adjustments, monthly weight checks, annual dental care, vaccines, Coggins testing, and a 6-week trim cycle.
View All Package BenefitsWhat happens if my horse has an emergency or needs medical care?
At Hoofbeats Equine Retirement Center, we offer full-service, in-house equine veterinary care. Our doctors work closely with Woodside Equine Clinic and would refer any surgical emergencies to their practice in Ashland. Our haulers would provide safe transport to and from Woodside Equine if the referral was necessary.
Can I visit my horse?
Absolutely! At Hoofbeats Equine Retirement Center, we encourage you to visit your horse. We ask that you schedule this visit in advance since our insurance requires that a staff member be with you while on the property.
Why do most of your retirement horses come from different states?
Our Virginia climate is appealing to most horses. Our winters are typically mild. Our pastures are well-maintained and are not overgrazed. We allow each horse adequate room to graze without them feeling overcrowded at Hoofbeats Equine Retirement Center.
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