Colic is a potentially deadly and unfortunately common condition that affects horses of all ages, breeds, and disciplines. In fact, the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) estimates 900,000 horses will colic each year in the U.S. alone. For some horses, surgical intervention is the only treatment option, but unfortunately between the surgery itself and the post-operative care, it can become quite expensive. That’s why SmartPak developed ColiCare, a program that provides horse owners with a simple way to protect themselves and their horses.
ColiCare is a FREE wellness program that provides up to $7,500 in colic surgery reimbursement. It brings together SmartPak’s best hindgut supplements with annual wellness care from a veterinarian to help keep horses healthy. ColiCare was launched in 2012 and since then it has become the nation’s largest and most popular colic surgery reimbursement program. Thousands of horse owners have been enjoying the ultimate peace of mind by supporting their horse’s health and ensuring they have the financial resources to provide the care every horse deserves.
There are six different supplement formulas that are ColiCare eligible, from basic hindgut support to multi-purpose formulas that cover joint, hoof, coat, hindgut and stomach health. ColiCare is popular with both horse owners and veterinarians alike. Marsha Severt, DVM, said, “As an equine veterinarian I’m thrilled that SmartPak offers this program, and in addition to having my personal horses enrolled in it, I recommend it to all my clients.”
Horse owners who have used ColiCare coverage also recommend it to others, based on the quick and simple reimbursement provided. Kelsey Herring describes her horse Katalyst’s experience with colic surgery and ColiCare: “When I got that call (that he needed surgery), I was very scared, but having the ColiCare program there to support me through the whole process was a weight off my shoulders.
“I had first heard about the ColiCare program from my vet, Dr. Liz Maloney. She had recommended it, and I thought it’d be nice to have the $7,500 of colic surgery reimbursement, if anything were to happen. But I never dreamt I’d actually have to use it. As it turned out, having that coverage meant I didn’t have to make that extreme decision – there was no second guessing; he was getting the surgery. We were going to do everything we could to save him. I’ve told all of my friends about ColiCare. I would 100% recommend it to anyone. It’s simply worth it.”
Signing up for ColiCare is easy–horse owners can enroll over the phone or with a quick visit to SmartPak’s website, and there’s no additional paperwork! The only other program requirements are four Annual Wellness Requirements, which are provided by the veterinarian. These include: a physical and dental exam, vaccinations administered by a veterinarian, and a deworming program developed with the veterinarian. Providing these preventive services annually helps to keep horses healthy and spot any issues early on.
To learn more about the ColiCare program, or to enroll your horse, visit www.SmartPak.com/ColiCare to get started.
From the feed room to the tack room, SmartPak offers innovative solutions to help riders take great care of their horses. SmartPak was founded in 1999 with the introduction of the patented SmartPak supplement feeding system. The revolutionary, daily dose SmartPaks are custom-made for your horse, individually labeled and sealed for freshness. With the success of this simple and convenient feeding system, SmartPak has continued to expand its offering of quality products, including its own line of more than 60 supplement formulas called SmartSupplements, and a wide variety of tack, equipment, and supplies. The company has grown rapidly each year and is now the largest retailer of equestrian products in the United States. SmartPak’s success has been powered by a passion for delivering an unbeatable customer experience, and the company has been recognized with a Bizrate Circle of Excellence award as well as an “Elite” rating from STELLAService. A nine-time Inc. 500/5000 honoree, SmartPak is the only equine company ever named to the Inc. 500 list.
