Veterinarian Dr. Chris Huth, DVM, has both a front row seat to Galway Downs’ evolution and a seat at the table for Galway’s evolving place in the Temecula Valley and the wider equestrian world.
Dr. Huth owns Temeku Equine, Inc. veterinary practice located across the street from the Galway Downs Equestrian entrance.
He and his wife Becca purchased the property on Los Corralitos Road from Pat Ommert in 2009. Pat is a living legend in efforts to preserve equestrian and rural lifestyles throughout Southern California. Her late husband, Dr. William Ommert, is a legend for his progressive care of horses – especially racing Thoroughbreds – throughout the Valley of the Horse’s rich history as a Thoroughbred racing mecca.
Carrying on the Ommerts’ legacy through Temeku Equine and advocating for the equine community and industry are points of pride for Dr. Huth. Continuity of care ideals are greatly helped by Temeku Equine’s veterinary assistant Rafael Gomez. He was Dr. Ommert’s “right hand man” at Los Caballos Veterinary Hospital.
Certified by the International Equestrian Federation as a Veterinary Service Manager (VSM) and a Permitted Treating Veterinarian (PTV), Dr. Huth is often onsite for Galway’s major competitions. At last month’s International Horse Trials, he served as both the VSM and a PTV.
In the VSM role, Dr. Huth works closely with the FEI Veterinary Delegate, a supervisory position. The VSM is responsible for organizing the care of horses competing in the international divisions. That includes ensuring there are enough Permitted Treating Vets on hand for the number of horses competing and for the nature of competition each day.
Livin’ Large
Large animals have always been part of Dr. Huth’ life. He grew up in San Diego County’s Poway, with 4-H and Future Farmers of America projects a big part of his life. While earning his undergraduate degree at Fresno State, he managed the school’s Quarter Horse breeding program. Along with a degree from Colorado State University’s Professional Veterinary Medical Program, Dr. Huth received the Outstanding Large Animal Surgery Award on graduation.
Dr. Huth treats performance horses in english and western disciplines. “For the level of horses we treat in our practice, we’re looking at equine athletes. They could be reined cow or barrel horses, eventers or dressage horses. It doesn’t matter – they’re athletes.”
Advances in diagnostic techniques are the biggest dial-mover in veterinarians’ ability to provide optimum care, Dr. Huth says. “Because we’ve come up with better, more specific diagnoses, we’ve really been able to develop more accurate treatment plans.
“Fifteen or 20 years ago, we had radiographs and ultrasounds,” he continues. “Now, nuclear scintigraphy, MRI and CT machines are much more common.”
Treatments, too, have advanced. Especially the embrace of orthobiologics and the larger field of regenerative medicine.
Orthobiologics are therapies developed from biologic – natural – substances. These include PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma), IRAP (Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist Protein) and MCS (Mesenchymal Stem Cells). In general terms, these treatments help stimulate the body’s natural healing process.
“It’s pretty mainstream now, so everybody is pretty open to it,” Dr. Huth explains. Part of that acceptance comes from the fact that orthobiologics have few side effects – especially compared to steroids that dominated joint and injury care in past eras.
Horse owners who try to educate themselves on subjects relevant to their horse’s health are favorite clients for Dr. Huth. “I encourage everybody to keep learning,” he says. An open mind and a commitment to staying informed are great traits in a horse owner.
A Family of Equestrians
Dr. Huth and his wife Becca have three daughters, Abby, Jocelyn and Paige. It’s likely that horses and riding will always be part of the family’s life.
Becca is an eventer who rides when her schedule as a mom and middle school teacher permits. Their oldest daughter Abby has temporarily traded her tack for track shoes, running on her high schools’ varsity team. “She realizes she can always ride, but that we only get one chance to do high school,” her proud father explains. Dr. Huth is a reined cow horse guy when time allows, and he always loves trail riding. “That’s a blast!”
Ensuring there are places to ride and enjoy horses throughout the Temecula Valley and beyond is a natural priority for Dr. Huth as a resident, a horseman and a veterinarian.
The Huths bought their property before Ken and Tina Smith purchased Galway Downs in 2010. “We hoped it would one day turn into what it’s turning into, but there was a lot of question then whether this facility would be subdivided, kept as a horse property or turned into a soccer-only complex.”
Looking Ahead
He has long been part of equestrian advocacy groups, dating back to the 2009 Wine Country Community Plan that established residential, equestrian and hospitality zones. “As veterinarians, we’re advocating for all horses’ health and part of that is advocating for the equine industry.”
Galway Downs’ remarkable evolution from neglected property in bankruptcy to Southern California hub of international equestrian competition has proven the “If you build it, they will come” approach. Next steps are well underway in building broad community support, within and beyond the horse world.
“Part of the problem is that we don’t have an organized equine voice that encompasses all the different disciplines,” Dr. Huth observes. “There are a lot speaking individually, but no one yet that speaks for all.”
“There’s no doubt there are enough people who want a long-term equestrian industry in this valley. And I think we can come to agreement on the best avenue for that to happen. There is so much opportunity to be had.”
A synergistic relationship between Galway Downs and Temeku Equine has grown apace with each entity’s success. The Temeku team now includes Jennifer Rosenberg, DVM, Mark P. McCaughan, DVM, veterinary technicians and support staff. Dr. Huth and his fellow Temeku veterinarians are on call for most of Galway’s equine events throughout the year.
“I don’t know if Galway Downs would be here if not for Dr. Ommert’s facility and all the services, surgeries and care it provided here through the 70s and 80s,” Dr. Huth reflects. “We are really proud to continue that legacy.”
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