The generosity and support of the Michigan veterinary community is an outstanding example of professionals who are so dedicated to their mission and so deep is their compassion that they offer injured racehorses owned by CANTER every opportunity to begin the next phase of their young lives healthy and pain free.

Since 1999, Michigan State University and CANTER have made a joint commitment to help Michigan's injured Thoroughbred racehorses. Retiring horses owned by the CANTER program frequently receive arthroscopic surgery to remove bone fragments from joints or to repair fractures, enabling them to prove that racing is just one phase in their young lives. Funded by grants and private donations, the injured or ill horses have available to them the full diagnostic resources and surgical services of the Large Animal Hospital and have been evaluated and/or treated for a variety of ailments including pleuritis, neurological problems, colic and colic surgery, and castrations.

Chief of Staff John Stick at Michigan State University Large Animal Teaching Hospital instructs veterinary student Mary Lassaline on the removal of a bone fragment from the knee of a CANTER owned filly. CNN World Headline News featured MSU's involvement with donated surgeries for CANTER horses in December 1999 on hourly broadcasts. Michigan State University also provides other forms of surgery, clinical examinations, evaluations, diagnostic testing and other procedures for horses owned by the CANTER program.

Elizabeth Carr, DVM performs a neurological examination on a CANTER owned gelding and discusses findings of the neurological examination with Emily Graves, DVM, veterinary students: Gabriela Olmos, Julie Lloyd, Judy Hewitt and Jennifer Nissen and vet tech student, Dionne Rodgers. Such evaluations serve as teaching tools for the veterinary program.

Farm Veterinarians

The first home after leaving racing is a CANTER approved foster farm or boarding facility. The thoroughbred gets time to unwind and get used to a more leisurely pace.  Local veterinarians and farriers discount service costs to CANTER as they examine and assess the horse's medical condition.  Some will recommend stall rest for a while to relieve soreness and if more serious injuries are detected, further diagnostic tests and X-Rays will be taken and sent to Michigan State University for further evaluation and assessment on possible surgery.

Evan A. Moore DVM		3182 Jonathan Road - Oxford, Michigan 48371 .
Henry Vaupel DVM Examining a stifle at a foster home in the area of his private practice is Henry Vaupel, DVM. Assisting Dr. Vaupel is eventing professional Jennifer Merrick-Brooks.
Blue Water Equine Hospital Blue Water Equine Hospital, Emmett, Michigan, generously donates their services to help the CANTER ex-racehorses.  They are committed to providing the highest quality medical, surgical and reproductive services.  Serving Macomb, St. Clair, Lapeer, Oakland Genessee and Sanilac counties.

Don Ryker, DVM & Associates
1344 S. Hadley Rd. - Ortonville, Mich 48462-9113
Phone: 248-627-2815 Fax: 248-627-2817

Crystal DeWitt, DVM (at Don Ryker DVM & Associates)
Graduate of Michigan State University. Worked with CANTER thoroughbreds at MSU, in diagnosis, surgery preparation, anesthesia, arthroscopic surgery, post surgery care, prognosis.