About Us

After 27+ years of being a general medicine equine practice Burlington Equine has evolved to one that focuses on equine sports medicine cases. As we enter 2020, this will be the tenth year that we have grown into a busy Sports Medicine practice managed by Dr. Randy Frantz. The practice utilizes diagnostic procedures with some of the most advanced equipment available to ambulatory practices today: Digital X-ray, Digital Ultrasound, Video Endoscopy, Shockwave Therapy, Regenerative Laser Therapy, Electrical Stimulation (FES) and Thermography. The use of alternative medicine procedures: Acupuncture, Chiropractic and Mesotherapy are essential additions for diagnostics and therapeutic options. In addition newer techniques involving Regenerative Therapies: Stem Cells, PRP and IRAP are frequently incorporated into treatments. By focusing on lameness and performance limiting issues the practice is able to provide more in-depth work ups for these problems. These have long been an interest of Dr. Frantz and devoting the time and energy toward diagnosing and resolving them is one of the main goals of the practice.

At this point Dr. Randy Frantz, a 1988 graduate of North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, is the only Veterinarian working at Burlington Equine. He completed certification in Acupuncture in 1993 and completed the Chiropractic program several years later. The use of alternative medicine has complemented the traditional veterinary procedures for years and has been a staple at Burlington Equine for the past 26 years. Presently Dr. Frantz has been pursuing certification under the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP).

The office is staffed by two individuals: Linda Light, the practice’s valuable office point person for scheduling, medical record questions and account information and by Susan Boardman, a Veterinary Technician, she typically accompanies Dr. Frantz on appointments as well as assisting with with cases at the clinic and has an integral role of handling the horses, setting up equipment and assisting with Veterinary procedures.

Both Susan and Linda are horse owners. Susan has successfully trained and competed with her horse Pavarotti through Grand Prix.

Currently Susan has a Hanoverian mare, Flori, that she has trained through the various levels of Dressage where she has competed quite successfully. In 2009 Flori was evaluated by the American Hanoverian Society and placed 5th in the country after the mare inspection.

In 2010 Flori was reserve champion mare at the mare performance test at River House Hanoverians. That score landed her second in the country. In 2011-2019 she continued to perform well in dressage clinics and competitions. She won almost every center line and was reserve or high point champion at all the shows through 2011. In 2019 she successfully trained and competed at the I1 and I2 levels, 2020 will bring her up to Grand Prix level competitions. Pavarotti, is enjoying retirement and watching over Susan’s 2 year old Oldenburg mare Fi and the donkey.

Linda has Lily, a 12 year old Trakehner mare that she acquired in 2009.

She is currently being boarded at NorthFork Farm in Charlotte and the under saddle work has gone well.

In 2011 Lily was entered in the American Trakehner Association inspection in Vermont and was High Point Trakehner Mare in the country at that time. By the end of 2011 she was ranked 8th in the country; a very notable accomplishment. She has trained and competed in eventing and is currently in Dressage training. 2019 was a successful year for her as she was ridden by a Young Rider in Training and 1st Level competitions and qualified for the NEDA Championships where she finished the tear quite well.

Continuing Education

Almost every year Dr. Frantz attends the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) conference or the Northeastern Association of Equine Practitioners (NEAEP). These are two of the larger all equine conferences drawing veterinarians from all over the U.S. plus there are a number of equine veterinarians from around the world that attend AAEP in particular. The newest research in equine medicine is presented along with the results of clinical trials. This information provides the basis for what equine veterinarians use in our practices and how we approach various cases. With the wide variety of equine veterinarians that attend AAEP, every discipline is represented making for many interesting discussions. The approach and expectations for me with a hind limb lameness in a dressage horse may be very different from what a veterinarian may expect that works with rodeo horses in New Mexico or the veterinarian in Tennessee that primarily works with gaited horses.

Most subjects pertaining to horse healthcare are discussed at these conferences with particular emphasis on lameness issues. In the past year, a review of information on laminitis was explored fully, diagnostic and treatment approaches were discussed with many conditions and the newer medications and supplements being used were also evaluated. In addition new information on diagnosing and treating joint disease was presented. Over the past few years MRI has become commonplace in the diagnostic work-up of lameness cases at referral institutions. Since last year we have expanded our treatment and diagnostic abilities at Burlington Equine and more horses are being evaluated with MRI at referral hospitals.

ISELP

In 2010 Dr. Frantz joined ISELP (The International Society for Equine Locomotor Pathology), which is an international collection of equine veterinarians that focuses on the problem of lameness in the equine athlete. The stated goal is to provide contemporary knowledge and techniques in the continually evolving field of equine locomotor analysis which will better prepare the equine clinician to understand and manage lameness conditions in the equine athlete. The program involves 8 modules that are instructed by equine veterinarians considered experts in equine lameness: Dr. Denoix from France, Dr. Rick Mitchell from Fairfield Equine in Connecticut and Dr. Kent Allen from Virginia Equine Imaging in Virginia. The modules are held in various locations in the US and Europe, and provide detailed information on the newest diagnostic and therapeutic techniques for various parts of the horse anatomy involved in lameness problems. Once the 8 modules are completed there will be an exam administered which will permit the passing clinician to reach diplomat status. These 3 day modules involve presentations, anatomical dissection, and extensive use of an ultrasound for the individual areas:

• Distal Front limb: foot, pastern, fetlock joint

• Middle Front limb: palmar fetlock, metacarpus and tendons, carpus, carpal canal

• Proximal Front limb: forearm, elbow and shoulder

• Distal Hind limb: foot, pastern, fetlock, metatarsus

• Middle Hind limb: hock and suspensory ligament

• Proximal Hind limb: stifle and thigh

• Neck and Thoracolumbar area (Back)

• Lumbosacral area and Pelvis

Of course not everyone would be as excited to spend 3 days just discussing lameness issues originating from the foot or from the neck and withers area, but this type of detail has been a huge benefit to my clients and patients as we often delve into complicated lameness cases.

Dr. Frantz has completed all of the modules including multiple conferences and clinics with advanced ultrasound training.

While these ISELP conferences are offered throughout the US and Europe mostly the ones on the East Coast have been attended at Fairfield Equine, Virginia Equine Imaging and Haygard-Davidson-McGee.

Besides understanding the interrelationships between structures involved in a lameness much of the information is focused on better techniques with digital radiography and ultrasound. Being able to better image the affected area is integral to getting a complete diagnosis and formulating the best therapeutic plan. We have come a long way in a fairly short period of time and incorporating this information into this practice has been a huge benefit. Advanced diagnostics such as MRI and Nuclear Scintigraphy are still recommended, but we have been able to achieve diagnoses here without referring cases that would previously have had to go to referral centers.