|
About Dr. Westman...
Dr. Westman's unique approach to equine health blends the expertise of integrative veterinary medical skills with the insight and wisdom gained from a lifetime of experience with horses.
Dr. Westman is the only equine veterinarian in Minnesota certified and licensed to practice both animal chiropractic and acupuncture.
Member of:
- American Veterinary Medical Association
- Minnesota Veterinary Medical Association
- American Association of Equine Practioners
- Minnesota Association of Equine Practitioners
- American Veterinary Chiropractic Association
- American Veterinary Acupuncture Association
- International Veterinary Acupuncture Society
Devotion to Equine Health..
My commitment to equine health has been a lifetime endeavor. I have ridden and worked with horses my entire life, and although I was not born in a barn, I was certainly raised in one! My dad, Walt, owned and operated Hilltop Riding Academy in St. Paul. From 1947 to 1976 Hilltop was located at the corner of Highway 36 and Rice Street. Mom ran the original stable in... Hilltop, a tiny area just north of Columbia Heights, until Walt returned from World War II.
As a kid, I rode Hunter/Jumpers, took Hilltop clients on trail and sleigh rides, and looked after our horses. Coke was one of my favorite horses. She would often balk at the jump, for no reason. Of course, I realize now she did, indeed, have a reason! If I had known then what I know now, Coke would have been a well adjusted champion.
In 1973 I graduated from the University of Minnesota School of Veterinary Medicine. I practiced in several equine clinics and owned my own clinic in Forest Lake from 1990 to 1997.
Experience taught me caring for horses could be frustrating work; maintaining equine health was complex, and many conditions veterinary medicine could not cure or improve or even diagnosis! Lameness issues were especially perplexing. I became interested in equine acupuncture and chiropractic for precisely that reason. Chiropractic and acupuncture would provide me and my clients more treatment options for their horses. Gradually, I began to realize that these two modalities offered enormous benefits. Chiropractic and acupuncture tratment couldn't hurt, and always helped. I learned to respect the value of these alternative treatment options to maintain the soundness of the horse. In 1997, after witnessing amazing results, I limited my practice to chiropractic and acupuncture care for horses and dogs.
Since 1993 I have over twelve thousand horses and hundreds of dogs. I am honored to be able to provide a unique approach to equine and canine health, blending the expertise of integrative veterinary medical skills with the insight and wisdome gained from a lifetime of experience with horses.
"Animal adjusting should be combined with regular veterinary care... to maintain a happy, healthy horse."
Dr. Westman
The Arabian Horse Times
February, 2001
Charlie Westman (far left) working at a Kentucky race track in 1965.
Contact us for more info
|
|
|
