Veterinarians and assistants sedate the paint horse using three injections.

Once the horse goes under, ropes are tied around him to hoist him up to an examination table.

“Because the animal is so large, we have to give three injections,” Ed Murray, DVM and practice owner of the Coosa Valley Equine Center, said.  “Once the first injection is given, six minutes is the optimum wait time.  The second is given while the horse is laying down to put him in a deeper sleep.  Then the third is given after the horse has been lifted onto the table in the MRI room.”

Dr. Murray begins the first of three MRI’s he scheduled for the morning, using his mobile MRI station.  Murray is one of the few veterinarians to offer equine MRI services.

“Using the mobile setup, we are able to transport the machine around the country to provide a rare and unique service to horse owners.”

While he waits for results from the first MRI, Murray walks over to the facility’s small paddock to examine another animal.  He watches the animal’s gait, making mental notes as the horse trots back and forth without pen and paper in hand.  

“My short term memory is excellent,” Murray said.  “But if I get distracted and walk off to grab a cup of coffee, that’s a different story.”

Murray observes the rhythm and cadence of steps and the foot the horse chooses to lead with as he makes a preliminary diagnosis to determine the next course of action in veterinary care.

Murray and his wife, Sandra developed the practice in the 1970s with a vision for an equine veterinary practice with an emphasis on ambulatory service.  The center has now evolved into a 24-hour full service referral facility designed to provide medical and surgical care for horses.

“I grew up on a farm raising cattle and poultry,” Murray said.  “You worked 23 hours a day, seven days a week as hard as you could.  I just felt like working with animals was something I needed to do.”

After completing veterinary training, Murray worked in Blount County before starting a practice in Pell City.  Renting a dental clinic, he opened the doors to Pell City Animal Hospital in 1976.

“I began working strictly with horses in 1980 and started Coosa Valley Equine Center in 1987.”

Since then Murray has established a reputation nationwide for offering unique large animal care difficult to find today.  Horse owners travel hundreds of miles seeking Dr. Murray’s services.  Murray primarily works with show horses through referrals.

“Focusing on equine care allows us to be progressive in where we can go and the services we can offer.”

When Murray returns to evaluate MRI results, he looks for causes of the injury like damaged joints, nerves and tendons.  Using more than three decades of knowledge and experience, Murray strives to offer the highest quality of care as technology develops in veterinary care and the equine industry.

“I have been very fortunate to work with people who only want to give the best equine care possible,” Murray said.