DR. RYAN WENNEKAMP
What inspired you to become
an equine veterinarian?
I grew up on a mixed animal farm and was exposed to a lot of different aspects of the agricultural community. I really enjoyed the days that the veterinarian would come to our farm for calving issues and sick or injured animals. After practicing in a mixed animal practice for 25 years I decided I wanted to specialize in equine medicine, as I found that it was the most challenging but rewarding part of my practice.
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What is your favourite part
of working with horses?
​My favourite part of working with horses is building a relationship with the horse
and their owner and working together to help them accomplish their goals. As veterinarians we want to solve problems, and when we are called upon to make a diagnosis and provide treatment that helps the horse recover from an injury and
return to competing, it is an amazing feeling!
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Do you have a special area
of interest or expertise
within equine care? ​
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I enjoy a variety of different aspects of Equine medicine and find it difficult to narrow it down. But I would say I enjoy emergency medicine including wound repair and lameness most. I also have a strong interest in Equine dentistry.
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What advice do you often give horse owners that you wish more people followed? ​
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As I often wish we could see cases sooner, I would rather asses a case and determine that the issue is minor of will do well on its own, rather than wait until it becomes more involved of an issue that is much more difficult or impossible to resolve.
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What are your favourite activities to do in your free time? ​
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In my free time I really enjoy being with my family, in the winter we are avid skiers and try to spend as much time as possible in the mountains. In the summer I like to be close to a lake spending time on the water or next to a campfire.