Equine Specialty Hospital

What Equine Specialty Hospital does

Equine Specialty Hospital is a single-site, equine-only veterinary practice founded in 1995 in Burton, Ohio (17434 Rapids Road), providing internal medicine, surgical, diagnostic, and rehabilitative services to horses. The hospital operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for emergency admissions and Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm, by appointment. It markets itself as the only dedicated equine veterinary hospital within the radius of Toledo OH, Mansfield OH, Pittsburgh PA, and Buffalo NY, including Rochester NY and Cranberry Township PA, and serves horse owners, trainers, equestrian professionals, and referring general-practice veterinarians across this four-state region. No veterinary referral is required for service, and emergency cases are accepted by phone arrangement. The practice is privately held under partner-owners Dr. Melissa Milligan (DVM, Iowa State 2002, ACVS Diplomate since 2008, partner since 2011, hospital owner since 2014) and Dr. Nate McClellan (DVM, Kansas State 2007, MS, ACVS Diplomate, partner since 2022), with operating management handled by Practice Manager Carl Workman and Office Manager Emma Witt.

The facility sits on a five-acre fenced rural site with truck and trailer parking and is configured for high-acuity referral work: 27 stalls split across 11 critical-care, 12 non-critical-care, 2 neonatal ICU (heated, padded, in-stall oxygen, continuous ECG and IV fluids), 2 isolation, plus a fully padded neurologic stall with overhead hoist. Diagnostic capability centers on an EASOTE O-scan MRI system (scan time cut by approximately 50% versus the prior unit per hospital disclosure), nuclear scintigraphy, digital radiography, Toshiba Nemio digital ultrasonography with color Doppler, video endoscopy (1 and 1.9 m), dynamic exercise endoscopy, gastroscopy (3 m), uterine videoendoscopy, and myelography, alongside a 24-hour in-house laboratory delivering chemistry, CBC, blood gas, and fecal results inside roughly 10-20 minutes. Treatment lines span orthopedic surgery (arthroscopy, fracture repair), soft tissue surgery, colic surgery 24/7, laparoscopic surgery, upper airway surgery, dental and sinus surgery, dystocia/C-section, internal medicine, adult and neonatal intensive care, neurologic evaluation, respiratory evaluation, ophthalmic care, and perinatal care for high-risk mares. Sports medicine and rehabilitation add cold compression therapy, extracorporeal shockwave, autologous bone-marrow-derived stem cells, platelet-rich plasma, and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist protein (IRAP), complemented by an on-site equine podiatry service (Edward A. Cigany).

Commercially, the hospital runs a professional-services revenue model: fees are quote-based and not publicly disclosed, a deposit is required at patient admission, CareCredit is offered as a financing option for client out-of-pocket costs, and a $50 service fee is applied for cancellations inside 24 hours. The go-to-market is a dual direct-to-consumer plus veterinarian-referral motion; the practice publishes a detailed content website, runs an active Facebook page, holds memberships in AAEP, ACVS, and OVMA, and partners with Vets First Choice for an online pharmacy accessible through the hospital's web properties. Equine Specialty Hospital runs a one-year internship program and 2-4 week externships (with on-site housing) for AVMA-accredited veterinary students, providing a recruiting pipeline for RVTs and future associates. Inputs disclose no institutional investors, no parent entity, no M&A activity, no patents, and no AI/ML capabilities.

Name

Equine Specialty Hospital

Legal name

Equine Specialty Hospital

Website

https://equinespecialtyhospital.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Equine Specialty Hospital is a private, single-site equine-only veterinary hospital in Burton, Ohio, providing 24/7 emergency, surgical, diagnostic, and rehabilitation services to horse owners, trainers, and referring veterinarians across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Equine Veterinary Healthcare Services

NAICS

Veterinary Services (541940), Veterinary Services (54194), Specialty (except Psychiatric and Substance Abuse) Hospitals (622310)

SIC

Services-Hospitals (8060), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Equine Hospital & Surgical Services (HLAMABAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Large Animal & Equine Emergency/Critical Care & Referral (HLAMABAI), Sports Medicine, Lameness & Performance (Equine) (HLAMABAJ), Veterinary Internal Medicine & Oncology Centers (HLAMACAD)

Keywords

• Equine veterinary services
• Equine surgical services
• Equine diagnostic imaging
• Veterinary internal medicine
• Equine sports medicine

Headquarters

HQ city

Burton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Emergency Veterinary Services: 24/7 emergency veterinary care for equine patients including colic surgery, trauma, and critical care. Available 365 days a year.
2. Surgical Services: Board-certified surgeons perform orthopedic surgery (arthroscopy, fracture repair), soft tissue surgery, colic surgery, laparoscopic surgery, upper airway surgery, and dental/sinus surgery.
3. Diagnostic Services: On-site laboratory, digital radiography, digital ultrasound, MRI, nuclear scintigraphy, endoscopy, gastroscopy, myelography, and advanced lameness diagnosis.
4. Medical Services: Internal medicine, neonatal intensive care, adult intensive care, neurologic evaluation, respiratory evaluation, ophthalmic evaluation, and perinatal care for high-risk mares.
5. Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation: Cold compression therapy, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, stem cell therapy, PRP therapy, and IRAP therapy for treating soreness, injuries, joint issues and inflammation in equine athletes.
6. Patient Forms and Administrative Fees: Cancellation policy requiring 24-hour notice to avoid $50 service fee.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Equine Specialty Hospital is a 24/7 equine veterinary hospital in Burton, Ohio providing specialized internal medicine, surgical, diagnostic, and rehabilitative care for horses. Services are delivered by board-certified surgeons and include 24/7 emergency care, orthopedic and soft tissue surgery, advanced imaging (MRI, Nuclear Scintigraphy, digital radiography, ultrasonography, endoscopy), regenerative therapies, neonatal intensive care, and sports medicine/rehabilitation.

Product overview

Equine Specialty Hospital is a single-facility equine veterinary hospital offering integrated medical, surgical, diagnostic, and rehabilitation services. The hospital operates as a unified veterinary practice with four core service lines: Surgical Services (including orthopedic, soft tissue, colic, laparoscopic, upper airway, and dental/sinus surgery); Medical Services (internal medicine, neonatal and adult intensive care, neurologic, respiratory, ophthalmic, and perinatal care); Diagnostic Services (on-site laboratory, digital radiography, ultrasound, MRI, nuclear scintigraphy, videoendoscopy, dynamic endoscopy, gastroscopy, myelography, and advanced lameness diagnosis); and Sports Medicine/Rehabilitation (cold compression therapy, extracorporeal shockwave therapy, stem cell therapy, PRP, and IRAP). Additional offerings include equine podiatry, veterinary internships and externships, and an online pharmacy. The hospital is staffed 24/7 with board certified surgeons and registered veterinary technicians, featuring 27 stalls, isolation facilities, neonatal ICU, treatment rooms, and two surgical suites.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 24/7 Emergency Services Round-the-clock emergency veterinary care available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for equine patients requiring urgent medical attention.
• Orthopedic Surgery Surgical services including arthroscopy for joint procedures and fracture repair using dedicated orthopedic implants in a specialized orthopedic surgery suite.
• Soft Tissue Surgery Elective soft tissue surgeries including respiratory procedures, wound reconstruction, foal limb deformity correction, reproductive surgery, and ophthalmic procedures.
• Colic Surgery Emergency surgical treatment for colic conditions including large colon displacements and torsions, small intestinal problems requiring resection and anastomosis, performed 24/7.
• Laparoscopic Surgery Minimally invasive surgical procedures including thoracoscopy, cryptorchid testicle removal, ovarian tumor removal, and thoracic/abdominal interventions.
• Upper Airway Surgery Surgical treatment for soft palate abnormalities, laryngeal hemiplegia, and epiglottic entrapments using tie-forward, tie-back, and laser procedures.
• Dental and Sinus Surgery Surgical procedures including jaw fracture repair, dental extractions, and sinus surgery for tooth root abscesses, tumors, and cysts.
• Dystocia / Caesarean Surgery Emergency obstetric care including foal positioning manipulation and caesarean section for mares experiencing foaling complications.
• Internal Medicine Non-surgical diagnosis and treatment of diseases affecting respiratory, digestive, neurologic, cardiac, endocrine, kidney, and liver systems in adult and pediatric equine patients.
• Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Intensive medical and surgical care for critically ill foals featuring two heated padded stalls, in-stall oxygen delivery, continuous vital sign monitoring, and IV nutrition.
• Adult Intensive Care 24-hour advanced intensive care and treatment for critically ill or post-operative patients provided by veterinary specialists and technicians.
• Neurologic Evaluation and Treatment Diagnosis and treatment of neurologic conditions including West Nile, Herpes Viruses, EPM, Wobbler's Disease, and spinal trauma using specialized padded stalls and dynamic sling support.
• Respiratory Evaluation and Treatment Diagnosis and treatment of upper and lower respiratory tract diseases including pneumonia, pleuropneumonia, exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage, and inflammatory airway disease.
• Ophthalmic Evaluation and Treatment Diagnosis, treatment, and surgery for ocular problems including ulcers, uveitis, and tumors with extended hospitalization capability for critical cases.
• Perinatal Care for High Risk Mares and Foals Obstetrical care including digital ultrasound of fetus and placenta, hormone monitoring, controlled vaginal delivery, cesarean section, and round-the-clock monitoring.
• On-Site 24 Hour Laboratory In-house laboratory equipped with Idexx Catalyst Dx, Idexx ProCyte, and Heska iSTAT for chemistry panels, complete blood counts, blood-gas assessments, and fecal flotation with results in 10-20 minutes.
• Digital Radiography Digital imaging technology capturing radiographs on digital or phosphorus plates with contrast and size adjustment capabilities for detailed bone and soft tissue evaluation.
• Digital Ultrasound Toshiba Nemio digital ultrasound system with frequencies from 2.5-14 mHz for soft tissue and abdominal imaging, featuring color doppler technology for real-time blood flow visualization.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) O-scan equine MRI system producing detailed images of bone and soft tissue, including soft tissue within the hoof capsule, requiring general anesthesia for 60-90 minutes, with results typically available within 6-24 hours and scan time reduced by 50% compared to prior unit.
• Nuclear Scintigraphy Bone scan diagnostic procedure involving radioactive isotope injection to identify inflammation and bone remodeling in horses with complex lameness issues.
• Videoendoscopy Fiberoptic endoscopic examination of upper airway and urinary tract using 1 and 1.9 meter endoscopes with real-time video monitoring.
• Dynamic Endoscopy Exercise evaluation system for upper airway restriction analysis using a bridle-mounted camera recording up to 2 hours of stable video during riding or driving.
• Gastroscopy 3-meter endoscope evaluation of the horse's stomach to diagnose colic causes, weight loss, inappetance, and poor performance related to gastric ulcers.
• Uterine Videoendoscopy Endoscopic procedure for mares with fertility issues to visualize cysts, scar tissue, or tumors with laser surgery capability.
• Myelography Diagnostic imaging under general anesthesia using contrast agent to identify spinal cord compression in the neck for wobbler disease diagnosis.
• Advanced Lameness Diagnosis Comprehensive lameness examination combining digital radiography, ultrasonography, nuclear scintigraphy, and MRI to identify and treat complex musculoskeletal issues.
• Cold Compression Therapy Therapeutic treatment combining dry cold temperatures with alternating pressure to reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and aid recovery from tendon injuries and post-operative swelling.
• Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy Non-invasive modality using sound waves to stimulate healing in wounds, ligaments, tendons, and bony structures, increasing blood flow and new blood vessel growth.
• Stem Cell Therapy Autologous cell therapy using bone marrow-derived stem cells cultured and implanted into the same horse for tendon, ligament, and joint disease treatment.
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Regenerative therapy injecting concentrated platelets from the horse's own blood directly into tendon or ligament injuries to improve healing speed and scar tissue quality.
• Interleukin 1-Receptor Antagonist Protein (IRAP) Anti-inflammatory protein therapy harvested from the horse's own blood to treat arthritis, synovitis, and cartilage damage by blocking Interleukin 1 production.
• Equine Podiatry Corrective and therapeutic horseshoeing services for laminitis and hoof injuries, utilizing digital radiographs, CT, and MRI imaging to formulate comprehensive treatment plans.
• Equine Veterinary Internship Program One-year veterinary internship program for graduate veterinarians providing hands-on surgical case experience, case management, client interaction, and mentorship under specialist supervision.
• Equine Veterinary Externship Program Externship program for third and fourth year veterinary students to gain experience in a private practice referral setting, 2-4 week commitment, with on-site housing provided.
• Online Pharmacy Online pharmacy service for purchasing equine medications and health products, powered by Vets First Choice and accessible through the hospital's website.

Quantifiable outcome

• Laboratory results available within 20 minutes for chemistry panels and blood counts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)coreOthersProfessional membership organization for equine veterinarians. Membership provides credibility, continuing education resources, professional networking, and access to industry standards and best practices in equine veterinary medicine.
• American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS)coreOthersProfessional organization for board-certified veterinary surgeons. The hospital's surgeons hold Diplomate status with ACVS, demonstrating advanced surgical expertise and commitment to specialty veterinary surgery standards.
• Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA)coreOthersState professional association for veterinarians in Ohio. Membership supports professional development, networking with Ohio veterinarians, and participation in state-level veterinary medicine initiatives.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Virginia Equine Medical Center: The Plains, VA equine referral hospital with full surgical, internal medicine, sports medicine, and diagnostic capabilities. Similar service breadth and referral-driven model for performance horse clients in the Mid-Atlantic.
• Littleton Equine Medical Center: Littleton, CO equine referral hospital offering surgery, internal medicine, sports medicine, and advanced imaging. Direct comparable in service model and 24/7 emergency capability.
• Rhinebeck Equine: Rhinebeck, NY equine veterinary hospital providing surgical, medical, and ambulatory services. Directly comparable as a private equine specialty practice in the Northeast U.S.
• B.W. Furlong & Associates: Equine veterinary practice in Oldwick, NJ offering ambulatory, surgical, imaging, and reproductive services. Comparable regional referral model serving Northeast performance horse clientele with board-certified specialists.
• Pioneer Equine Hospital: Oakdale, CA equine referral hospital providing surgical, medical, and reproductive services including advanced imaging and sports medicine. Comparable specialty hospital model serving a similar multi-state referral catchment.
• San Luis Rey Equine Hospital: Bonsall, CA equine referral hospital providing surgery, internal medicine, sports medicine, and advanced imaging. Operates a similar 24/7 emergency referral model for performance horse clients.
• Hagyard Equine Medical Institute: Lexington, KY-based equine referral hospital with full surgical, medical, diagnostic, and reproductive services for performance horses. Closest comparable in scope and customer profile to ESH's Burton operation.
• Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital: Largest private equine referral hospital in the U.S., based in Lexington, KY. Offers the same multi-specialty model — surgery, internal medicine, diagnostics, sports medicine, and reproduction — at greater scale and serves a similar performance horse / breeding clientele.
• Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital: Ocala, FL equine referral hospital serving the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry with surgery, internal medicine, theriogenology, and diagnostic imaging — direct comparable in service mix.

Regional players

• Midwest Equine: Ohio-based equine veterinary practice providing surgical, medical, and ambulatory services in the same Midwest region ESH serves. Comparable in regional positioning though likely smaller in specialty scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Equine-Specialty-Hospital-297562572352

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Equine Specialty Hospital