McKey Equine Hospital

Owner: Trent Stites
Location: Sallisaw, Okla.

History: “I was born and raised in Sallisaw and went to school at Oklahoma State University studying veterinary medicine. It was a natural fit because I was raised with cattle and horses and involved in rodeo from junior high through college. After graduating from veterinary school in 1994, I started a mixed animal practice until 2000 when I sold the small animal portion and focused on equine medicine. I made that decision so I could devote more time to individual patients, deciding to make horses my life’s work. At first I went to work for another equine vet. His practice centered on clinical medicine, which is more of an in-and-out practice. I wanted to focus on surgery and hospital care, so I built McKey Equine Hospital facility in 2007. People seem to find me by word-of-mouth and still do because I offer long-term and specialized care not offered elsewhere.”

Services: “My primary service is treatment for lameness, performance and enhancement of the equine athlete. That involves orthopedics, nutrition, dentistry, chiropractic care, digital radiology, ultrasound, video endoscopy, corrective shoes and diagnostic airway procedures. I also provide shockwave treatment which focuses sound waves to an affected area such as a leg or heel in order to promote blood flow and healing. Most tendon issues respond well to this treatment while others such as bowed tendons respond better to ultrasound. I provide surgical procedures such as removing bone chips from joints, tendon repair, wound treatment and eye surgery. Additionally, I AI when requested. Nutrition is another important area of my work. Specific nutritional needs are determined by the age, physical condition, and/or performance condition of each animal. I help clients choose the best nutrition and supplements for optimum performance of the task at hand. While I have a pharmacy for specific medical needs, I do not sell feeds and supplements.”

Philosophy and Future: “To be successful with intensive equine treatment, you need to spend time and have a genuine interest in clients and their owners. After 20 years of experience, I am still passionate about my patients. This business is more about the patient and the patient’s needs than the dollar, which is what keeps me coming to work happily every day. The challenge, of course, is to stay current on new technologies and to help with researching new products. Perhaps someday I may add more doctors as my business continues to grow.”