Business Details
28 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Partner for Equine Veterinary Care
Wilhite & Frees Equine Hospital has provided comprehensive, state-of-the-art equine healthcare since 1998. Our team of six licensed and accredited veterinarians specializes in advanced diagnostics, surgical care, preventive medicine, and emergency treatment. With decades of combined experience, we utilize cutting-edge technology including digital radiography, shockwave therapy, and regenerative medicine to ensure optimal outcomes for performance, pleasure, and breeding horses. Our facility features a surgical suite, climate-controlled treatment areas, and portable equipment for onsite services.Available for scheduled appointments Monday through Friday 8am-5pm with 24/7 emergency coverage, we serve clients in Missouri, Kansas, and beyond. Our commitment to continuing education through weekly rounds and specialized training keeps us at the forefront of equine veterinary medicine. We prioritize transparent communication, preventative care strategies, and personalized treatment plans tailored to each horse's unique requirements.
Services
Dentistry
Lameness Examination
Breeding Services
Pre-Purchase Examinations
Surgical Services
Diagnostic Imaging
Shockwave Therapy
Rehabilitation
Preventative Care
Emergency Services
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We offer 24/7 emergency equine care with board-certified surgeons on call
- Our six licensed veterinarians maintain specialized training in equine surgery and medicine
- We provide state-of-the-art diagnostics including digital radiography and endoscopy
- Our fully equipped hospital handles complex surgical and rehabilitation cases
- Our team completes continuing education through weekly case reviews and advanced certifications
Services
Equine Dentistry
Our motorized dental equipment handles routine floats and advanced extractions for horses of all ages. We address dental issues affecting eating, performance, and overall health. Our services prevent discomfort and maintain proper dental alignment in competition and pleasure horses.
Lameness Examination
Comprehensive lameness assessments utilize musculoskeletal ultrasound and intra-articular injections to diagnose performance-limiting conditions. We specialize in sports medicine for athletic horses across various disciplines using advanced diagnostic imaging techniques.
Emergency Surgery
Our hospital provides urgent surgical interventions including colic procedures and laceration repairs. The surgical suite features gas anesthesia monitoring and a hydraulic table. Available 24/7 with immediate access to board-certified surgeons for critical cases.
Reproductive Services
Complete reproductive care covers stallion management, artificial insemination, and mare ultrasound evaluations. We handle fresh, chilled, and frozen semen processing while providing comprehensive breeding soundness assessments for optimal foaling outcomes.
Diagnostic Imaging
Digital radiography, endoscopy, and ultrasonography equipment enable precise internal evaluations. Our portable systems allow onsite imaging for lameness diagnostics, pre-purchase exams, and respiratory assessments in field or hospital settings.
People
Christopher Wilhite
DVM
Dr. Wilhite earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1996 from the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. He founded Wilhite Equine Veterinary Services, P.C. in 1998 and continues to specialize in equine medicine while managing the growing practice.
Karl E Frees
DVM, MS, DACVS
Dr. Frees completed a three-year residency in large animal surgery at Kansas State University and obtained Diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2003. His expertise includes arthroscopic surgery and regenerative medicine with published research in veterinary journals.
Ricky A Trahan
DVM, MS
Dr. Trahan holds a Master's in Veterinary Clinical Sciences and completed a three-year residency in large animal surgery at Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine. His focus includes lameness evaluation and advanced surgical techniques for equine athletes.
Kelsey Davis
DVM
Dr. Davis graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2019. After completing an internship in equine medicine and surgery, she specialized in equine ophthalmology before joining the team in 2023.
Taylor Johnson
DVM
Dr. Johnson completed her Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University in 2021. She gained experience in Thoroughbred sales and neonatal care in Lexington, Kentucky before returning to WFEH as an associate veterinarian specializing in sports medicine.
Questions
Do you offer emergency veterinary services?
Yes, we provide 24/7 emergency coverage. Call our office number to reach the on-call veterinarian through our answering service.
What payment methods are accepted?
We accept cash, checks, major credit/debit cards, and Care Credit financing options for equine medical expenses.
Are appointments required for routine care?
Yes, we operate on an appointment basis during regular business hours Monday through Friday.
Do you handle interstate health documentation?
We complete necessary health certificates and Coggins testing for horse transportation. Allow one week processing time before travel.
What specialization services are available?
Our hospital offers sports medicine, reproductive services, advanced imaging, and surgical interventions including arthroscopy and colic procedures.
Can I request a specific veterinarian?
While we respect client preferences, emergency situations may require immediate availability of the on-call doctor rather than a specific veterinarian.
