Photo by Nathan Morgan/Daily News Isabelle Graves (center), 12, and Madison Williams, 12, both of Bowling Green, Ky. wait with their horses Stoley and Shady, respectively, before being seen by a farrier during Dismon Stables' Veterinary Clinic Day, Saturday, March 16, 2013 at Dismon Stables in Rockfield, Ky. The annual event gives horse owners the opportunity to have their animals seen by a veterinarian, equine dentist and a farrier all in the same afternoon.

Caring for a horse is expensive, but Debbie Dismon hopes the annual Veterinary Clinic Day at Dismon Stables alleviates some of those costs.

“It brings our horse community friends together and offers discounted services,” said Dismon, owner of the stables in Rockfield. “It’s quite expensive for horse care.”

On hand at this year’s clinic day Saturday were a veterinarian, an equine dentist and a farrier – a specialist who provides hoof care for horses, she said. Coming to the event allows horse owners to avoid the office fee usually charged for services and lets them take care of several of their animal needs at once, including vaccinations, dental work and shoes.

Horses need to have their shoes taken off and feet trimmed every six to eight weeks, said Danny McWhorter, a farrier from Franklin, Tenn., who worked at Saturday’s event. “If you don’t have good feet, you don’t have a horse,” he said. “That’s their transportation.”

Just like people, horses need healthy teeth or else major problems can occur, such as teeth getting too sharp and causing mouth sores, said Jim Koostra, an equine dentistry technician. “It can be absolute misery for them,” he said.

He checks each horse once or twice a year to smooth their teeth and ensure the teeth line up.

Alesia Van Hooser of Woodburn brought two of her five horses to the clinic.

“It’s kind of like a one-stop place where you can get everything done,” she said.

It’s also a way to fellowship with other riders who share her love of horses, she said.

“I think they’re wonderful animals,” Van Hooser said. “They have wonderful personalities. It feels so good when you ride.”

Brittany Greer of Rockfield lives just down the road from Dismon Stables, so it was convenient to bring several of her horses to the clinic day. “It’s usually cheaper on everybody,” she said.

Greer owns 13 horses and competes locally in barrel racing.

“I wanted a horse starting at age 5,” she said. “My parents got me my first horse when I was 10 and I ain’t looked back since.” 

Michelle Vise, executive and program director of New Beginnings Therapeutic Riding, manned a table to raise awareness about the program, which offers horse riding for people with disabilities.

Riding a horse allows them to use their hips and other muscles they might not be able to use otherwise, increasing their flexibility, Vise said.

“It’s amazing to watch these students … you’ll see a change in their self-esteem and their whole attitude,” she said.

A few months ago, New Beginnings moved to a new location at 600 Bill Ferguson Road. Previously, the program was housed in the Plano area.

The new spot will allow the 16-year-old program to expand, with stables for up to 44 horses and space for indoor classes so New Beginnings can be open for an additional four months of the year, Vise said. 

The clinic day offered a chance to let people know about the program and also ask for donations.

“It’s a good time for us to see if there’s anyone willing to donate horses to us or volunteer,” Vise said. “It helps get the word out about the program.”