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January 2024 by Jim Casey
Dr. Thal, his staff and the wonderful facilities are top notch!!! We have 2Miniature donkeys and Dr Thal saved our donkey because he had a 30 lb food impacting in his gut! Dr thal was able to get the impaction to pass and within a few days our donkey was back to his old self! We can’t say enough about Dr., Thal, and everybody at his facility! They reacted very fast to the emergency and kept us in the know the whole 4 days of recovery! Thank you, Dr. Thal, and staff. Y’all are great!
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December 2023 by Bobbie Jo Lieberman
As one arrives at Thal Equine with a horse urgently in need of veterinary care, Doug Thal, DVM, walks out to quietly welcome you and your horse, putting you both at ease. You have the sense you have come to the right place as he gets right to work, examining a hoof, palpating a tendon or listening to gut sounds. Whether it’s colic, laminitis, lameness, dental issues or any other serious equine malady, Dr. Thal has the tools and diagnostic know-how to get to the root of the cause.In our case with a laminitic Icelandic mare, our only regret was not taking her to Dr. Thal immediately after her initial diagnosis. We are immensely grateful for the skilled, compassionate care she received over the next several months in his hands. An innovative type of shoeing gave our mare rapid comfort; his strict dietary guidelines helped her lose over 100 pounds; her medication based on lab values contributed to her improving metabolic status. Today she is home, sound and happy and looking forward to the future.Thank you Doug and your fabulous team--Brian the 'shoe sculptor', Laura, Kristin, Dr. Waseem Manj and Tomas--for your tireless efforts, communication and university-level care!Bobbie Jo, Datil, NM
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December 2023 by Nancy Dickenson
Doug Thal has been the veterinarian for Twin Willows Ranch for over twenty years. Doug has attended the ranch horses in countless situations both at the ranch and at his clinic. In my estimation Doug is the finest Equine Vet in the region. There is never a question as to who to call when one of the horses is in need of veterinary attention. I believe that Doug's knowledge is unparalleled. First in his class at U.C. Davis, and first in our horses hearts.
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December 2023 by Debra Stark
I recently brought a Registered Quarter Horse from Kentucky to Santa Fe. It’s been a long time since I had horses, in fact, it’s been a good 30 plus years. Before “Mouse” arrived I did a lot of research trying to find who was the best farrier and the finest equine vet. I was informed that Dr. Doug Thal was the best vet bar none.Within the past year I have had a few health concerns regarding Mouse. Doug has come out to the barn, or advised me on multiple occasions. I have been completely taken in by his professionalism, knowledge, and his genuine care.Just over Thanksgiving, Mouse had an intestinal issue that had been going on for several weeks. Though it was a holiday and he was away from the hospital, Doug kept in steady contact with me and steered me through. How many vets would do this? Not many, I think.This is just a tiny way to express my appreciation and to say thank you to Doug and his wonderful team. Laura in the office is one of the most personable and caring people I have encountered in quite a while. Also, Brian, Doug’s assistant, is another great and very personable member of Doug’s team.All in all, I simply feel very fortunate to know that Doug is there when Mouse and I should need him.
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November 2023 by Beth Gordon
I took my horse for help after a farrier made him lame. Dr Thal was seriously offended when I wanted to send the x rays to my Kentucky vet (who works at Churchill Downs- didn’t tell him that ) to get a second opinion. He actually called me and said I didn’t trust him. (I never said I didn’t trust him, just said I was sending the x rays to my old vet who asked to see them) Thal also told me I was “overreacting” because I wanted to take more x rays at 48 hours out, laminitis protocol. He verbally told me my horse would be better in 4-5 days, and ready to shoe again in 2 weeks. He told me I should go somewhere else with my horse since I didn’t trust him. Lol. Today is the 15th day and he’s still profoundly lame. Guess he was wrong. Horrible bedside manner, rude to me. I feel like I threw that money away. No real definitive diagnosis. Went elsewhere but lost time going to him. I wanted to be proactive, and maybe he just did not like me. Which is fine, whatever. Cannot recommend.In answer to the falsities below I will tell you I was told to bring the horse in though they were busy and they’d get the x rays sometime during the day. I went out to hook up the trailer. Ten minutes later DrThal calls me himself and says don’t bring my horse, since I am asking another vet’s opinion and I seem to “know what I want” that he would not be taking any x rays for me. That I was overreacting. And, that the horse is “just fine” and I could re shoe him in two weeks. He put that in writing. He completely failed to diagnose the fact that a nail had hit the coffin bone area and that introduced bacteria. So I went home without treating it. Waited 15 days based on his report. All the while the infection was getting worse. Til I took him to Colorado state They said too bad you didn’t bring him in sooner, because the nail hole was visible on their own x rays - I saw it where they pointed it out- and early treatment is the key. So thanks for telling me I’m overreacting causing me to wait. That’s the absolute truth and saying I insisted on getting x rays done at a certain time is false. My horse was misdiagnosed by you.My horse was having a serious emergency which was not recognized by you, still. He had surgery under general anesthesia the day I brought him to Colorado state to debride the coffin bone. The bone I was told by you that was impossible to hit with a nail.Lol- if Dr. Thal told me to take him to CSU that day surely he’d have put that in his report. He never did. It’s right there- he didn’t. He told he I was “over reacting.” Going to CSU was my call. He told me the horse would be fine and ready to re-shoe in 2 weeks! It’s right there in his report which is attached herein! I’m sorry but it was not correct and it nearly caused me to lose a good horse. The horse needed surgery asap. He’s been at csu for one month. Still there. Facts are facts. Most stuff is easy I guess this wasn’t. Insulting me as “overreacting” was inappropriate, and did not help the animal. He also told this to my husband and his truck full of passengers. Dr Thal NEVER told me to take him to csu or anywhere else. He said, when I wanted to take him back for follow up x rays to see if there had been a rotation, “why don’t you just take him to the vet you had look at the x rays.” Whom he knew to be in Kentucky. He told me he’d be fine. Sorry you’re so butt hurt about the whole thing. Or me seeking a second opinion. These are facts. The seriousness of the case was immediately recognized by csu. I guess I wasn’t “overreacting.” And I was NEVER once rude as he says, I was always polite and appropriate. It was he who called me back to say don’t come, the second set of x rays was “unnecessary,” you don’t “trust me,” “you seem to know what you want,” why don’t you take him to your vet who looked at the x rays. At this point never spoke to my husband. Most vets don’t freak out from a second opinion on x-rays. I wanted to be proactive and it turned out to be the right call. “Tirade” is how he described me meekly asking for follow up .
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November 2023 by Katrin Silva
Dr. Doug Thal is the best equine veterinarian I have ever met - thorough, experienced, professional, and kind. He is someone who, after decades in his profession, still cares deeply about every horse he treats. I have been the resident horse trainer at Thal Equine for the past five years. Over the course of that time, my clients and I have benefitted immensely from Dr. Thal’s expertise. While every boarder at the facility is, of course, free to work with any veterinarian of her choosing, Dr. Thal or a member of his knowledgable staff is always willing to check on any horse I feel concerned about. What’s more, when a staff member notices something that might be amiss, the veterinary side of the facility gets involved without delay - even when I’m not there. It is difficult to describe how much peace of mind I feel because of this. Because of the vigilance of everyone working here, the horses in my program are thriving.
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April 2023 by Karen Evans
I had a great experience with Thal Equine this week. My mare needed the removal of a bad molar tooth. It It turned out to be more challenging than usual. Dr. Thal and and his staff worked hard to bring the procedure to the best possible outcome. Applying a very high level of skill and caring perseverance Dr. Thal & staff got her tooth and all fragments removed!! Along with recognizing and complementing the skill that was applied to this procedure, I would also like to complement the practice and Dr. Thal for their excellent communication and caring, empathetic attitude. Our equine community is blessed to have your service.
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January 2023 by Shelley B
Dr Thalnis an AMAZING vet. Whether routine check up or emergency he is my GO TO VET!! His passion is second to none.
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December 2022 by Alexis Bouffard
Our horse hurt his lower front leg on a weekend. I paged my vet, but no one got back to me. After 6 hours, I decided to call Dr Thal per a recommendion from a friend. Dr Thal called me back in 2 minutes. I let him know that I wasn't his client, but he chose to help me because he was worried about my horse. I texted him a picture of the injury and he gave me good advice and told me to follow up with my vet on Monday. My vet said they got the call, but could not find me in their database so they didn't call me back. All I have to say is that Dr Thal didn't care if I was an established patient or not, he was willing to help. This is 5 star service. Thank you Dr Thal!!
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November 2022 by Courtney Kizer
I can't say enough good things about Dr. Thal and his team. My endurance horse had a mystery hind end lameness that several other vets couldn't seem to diagnose. Dr. Thal was a meticulous detective and eventually figured out the surprising root cause. He completed surgery on my boy, and just as expected, 6 months later I have my horse back and we are competing again in endurance rides. THANK YOU DR THAL!!
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July 2022 by Dae Roberts
I am so grateful and so impressed with this facility. Catrin is the best trainer I have witnessed in all of Santa Fe. She is kind,precise and without ego. Her presence alone and the love and care she graciously gives to all the horses is beautiful. Oscar one of the ranch hands is very polite and kind,always willing to help with a smile. This facility is set in a quiet and green area and all the horses are cared for daily genuinely. Thank you for taking good care of my friend and Cash her horse.
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May 2022 by Jo L
My local vet insisted that I bring my horse to thal equine fir surgery. Now I understand why. Doctor Thal and his staff are a talented and caring group of equine practitioners. The surgery was on time and my mare was well cared for. The facility was modern and clean. I'll be sure to return if I need his their services in future. It's 5 hour drive for me but definitely worth the effort.
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April 2022 by Andrew Armishaw
Dr Thal and his team have provided excellent service to our many horses over the last four years. They combine medical expertise with real empathy for the human horse connection. They take time to educate us as fix the specific medical issue.
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June 2021 by Nancy Langford
Dr. Thal and his staff are empathetic and kind and, above all, are incredible at what they do...which is, if at all possible, to diagnose , cure and save their equine patients. How lucky we are to be able to enlist Dr. Thal when there's an equine emergency.
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April 2021 by Ashley Davis
Dr. Thal is an amazing equine surgeon. He is professional and keeps you informed of everything going on before, during, and after surgery. Everyone I spoke to at Dr. Thal’s practice was nice and welcoming to me while I visited my horse when he was in recovery. My horse had colic and Dr. Thal saved his life and we are now 1.5 months post surgery and he is still doing great. Dr. Thal continues to help us anytime we have a question and laid out an entire plan for my horse so we reduce the chance of him colicing again as much as possible. I can’t say enough good things.
