Behind the Scenes with Elsa Ludwig, DVM, MS, CVA, DACVS-LA

Tell us a little about yourself

I grew up in Madison, WI, and I went to veterinary school at the University of Wisconsin College of Veterinary Medicine. I then moved to Vermont for my first year of practice as a veterinarian, working at Vermont Large Animal Clinic (VLAC), and during that time I fell in love with surgery. As a result, I moved to Virginia to complete a large animal surgical residency at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and became board certified in large animal surgery. I returned to Vermont and VLAC and worked for three years as a surgeon. Last fall I moved to North Carolina to work as an equine surgeon for North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine while also starting in a PhD program, with my research focusing on injuries in intestine and intestinal transplantation.

How did you venture into the horse world?

I was exposed to the horse world at a very young age. My aunt was a mounted police officer for the city of Madison, WI, and she taught me how to ride on her police horse when I was a toddler. I was immediately hooked, and became the classic horse girl, spending every moment at the barn. When I was 13, my parents gave me a 3-year-old Half-Arabian named Bucky (what were they thinking?!). Bucky was incredibly naughty and challenging, and he taught me invaluable life lessons. I still own Bucky, and he is now retired, living his best life up in Vermont.

When did you know that you wanted to become a veterinarian?

Growing up, I always had an interest in the medical field. I began shadowing my horse vet when I was in high school and was so impressed by the diversity and breadth of the career. A veterinarian is a dentist, nutritionist, surgeon, emergency clinician, acupuncturist, general practitioner, podiatrist, oncologist, radiologist, and anesthesiologist all rolled into one. By my second year of college I knew it was the right career for me.

What are three things that are essential to the work that you do?

1. Snacks

2. A hard working and awesome veterinary technician to help me

3. Sharp hoof knives

Just kidding! (Kind of) More seriously, I truly appreciate having positive and open communication between horse owner, trainers, barn managers, farriers, and veterinarians. This fosters an environment where expectations are clearly established and the best quality of care can be provided to the horses.

What kind of gratification does being an equine veterinarian bring to you personally?

My favorite part of being a veterinarian is the relationships that I form with the horse owners. Although it is my job to heal, relieve suffering, and save lives, I am truly grateful that the results of my work can comfort the horse’s owner. To be able to provide medical care to someone’s heart-horse can lead to a level of compassion and trust that is rare. I am lucky to have met so many wonderful people through their horses.

In your professional opinion, what makes working with horses challenging?

Horses are 1200-pound animals with a mind of their own, a massive flight response, and a propensity for getting injured at 10pm on a Friday night.

In what direction would you like to see equine veterinary medicine move in?

Equine veterinarians are folks who are dedicated to their work. We perform routine care all day and are available at any hour of the night for emergencies. I would love to see emergency-only equine veterinarians become incorporated into practices, providing critical care to sick and injured horses at night and on weekends, and providing relief to the veterinarians who are working during the day. Furthermore, I would like to see equine medical insurance become a routine part of owning a horse. As a veterinarian, many times I am limited in the diagnostics and procedures that I need performed due to financial restrictions. It breaks my heart to see an owner struggle with being unable to provide the necessary care to their horse during emergency situations.

In terms of preventative maintenance (as a whole) what do you recommend to clients to keep their horses healthy, happy, and sound?

Ensuring your horse is up-to-date on vaccines and dental care is paramount. Equine veterinarians are extensively trained in dentistry and are able to provide the highest standard of dental procedures, tailored specifically to each horse we evaluate and float. Additionally, many horses can benefit from a high quality joint supplement. Although there are hundreds of such supplements available, it is important to consult with your veterinarian to discuss which product is right for your horse. Based on scientific studies and the results I have seen in my patients, my personal preferences are Cosequin ASU (added to feed), Adequan (given as an injection), or Legend (given as an injection).

Why is insurance so important in this day and age?

As mentioned previously, I see a huge benefit in horse owners having insurance for their horses. When your horse is sent to a hospital for a necessary procedure or emergency, one of the first things you will be given is an estimated cost for treatment and one of the first questions you will be asked is “is your horse insured?” No one likes to talk about money or expenses, and as many clients pay their veterinarians out of pocket, we need to understand what the client’s financial range is so we can fit the treatment of the horse to this range. In my experience, one of the main reasons an owner declines life-saving colic surgery for their horse is due to the estimated cost. Having equine medical insurance helps relieve some of these financial limitations and provides owners with a safety net. Equine medical insurance can literally be life saving. I will add that having pet insurance for you dog or cat is also incredibly beneficial!

For all those kids out there aspiring to be a veterinarian what advice do you have for them?

If you’re dream is to become a veterinarian, I encourage you to take every opportunity to learn from your horse’s vet: ask them questions, watch their procedures, ride-along with them to the different barns. Becoming a veterinarian is tough, but it’s worth the effort because working with horses and their owners is so rewarding!