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“Doctor Thaler is always teaching. When clients come to watch their horses receive care, whether it's basic injections or getting scoped for ulcers or a lameness evaluation, he explains what he’s doing and why, and gives thorough, in-depth answers to their questions.

The technology Metamora brings is unmatched. When someone tells me about a problem their horse is having, and I ask, Have you had a lameness evaluation? They often don’t even know what that is. With Metamora, we’ve been using advanced tools and new technologies to measure gait issues for years.

This practice defines excellence.”

Dana Wille, Head Trainer, Equine OdysseyDana Wille, USEF-Licensed Judge

“For clients serious about performance, Metamora is my go-to. Roland Thaler is the top sports veterinarian and a partner and resource for diagnosing lameness and other problems, as well as suggesting therapeutic solutions.

There are many different therapeutic applications that promote healing. Roland comes in with the science. He'll study the X-rays and do the diagnostics, then I’ll do the farrier work. We’ve brought horses back from lameness and saved horses that otherwise would be done. He’s 100% onboard to get the horse through it.

It’s easy for vets who see hundreds of horses to quickly turn to solutions that have worked for them before. In contrast, Roland is always gaining new knowledge. He has the most modern and best diagnostic equipment, and so he suggests new perspectives and ideas. That's important to being successful in diagnosing injuries and problems.

Sometimes I walk into a barn and know Metamora’s been there because there is a picture drawn of a horse's leg showing where this injury was. Roland is great at explaining complex things very simply.

With Metamora, the horse comes first. They bring urgency and care to every visit. They’re good with the horses – even difficult ones – and then they take the time to talk to the owner or the rider.”

Garth Short, Owner, Horseshoeing Incorporated

“Dr. Thaler is very precise and professional. He doesn't cut any corners. He spends a lot of time diagnosing the horse and getting to the root of the problem so we can fix it. He doesn't jump to conclusions. If he's not convinced, he tells you he's not convinced and then will lay out his plan.

Metamora visits our barn regularly to keep the horses in good condition. We have about 45 horses at the farm. That’s a lot of horses to all be at the top level, and no other vet could do it.

I appreciate the honesty in their work and the depth of knowledge. It’s a powerful combination and has helped earn my trust.

When I'm having an issue with a horse, I call Dr. Thaler first. Even over the phone, he listens and asks good questions. He can’t see things, but he’ll use his experience to give suggestions and get the horse the help it needs.

In a word, Metamora represents professionalism.

Bonnie’s side of things is very, very important. She makes the client's life easier. The communication always goes through her, and she is very responsive, really on top of things, and very knowledgeable at the same time.

Doctor Thaler has a problem-solving mindset. There’s no one better at finding an issue. He uses technology and experience to understand the issue.”

Jaafar Reza, Trainer, Gross Point Equestrian

“I’ve known the Thalers for 17 years and have brought them with me from another farm. What makes them unique is that they aren’t set in their ways. They bring deep experience, but Roland is always looking outside the box. He's always trying that new thing.
When you do what we do here, and at such a high level, you have to be so in tune with the horses. Dr. Thaler makes us – the trainers, riders and owners – part of the team. He’ll turn to me for knowledge of what's normal for the horse or what feels off, while he brings the performance expertise so we can diagnose the horse and create a care plan.

I can tell Metamora this is where I'm at with this horse, and here’s what we can do financially and they tell me what my best options is going to be. That sets them apart from other sports vets and other vets in general. They're very good about adjusting what needs to happen for that particular horse.

With horses, there’s always a mystery. You might have to go back to the drawing board three or four times before you find a solution. Metamora faces the process with enthusiasm and energy. They always have the next step or the perfect referral.

They have a great network, which is huge for clients. As a vet, you’re never going to be there for every emergency or be able to solve every problem, so it’s important to have the name of someone you can trust who can help.

The communication from Metamora is key. I am always contacting them first with my questions. They're ability to answer the call and provide service to clients is unmatched, even if that means going the extra mile to accommodate.

In this business we work with a lot of vets and one thing you can count on is a new tech showing up with them. At Metamora, Bonnie is the tech consistently – that’s very unique. She’s an asset. She’s extremely knowledgeable in her own right, and they work so well together that every visit runs well.”

Leah Smaller, Professional Rider and Trainer

“We didn’t know anything about horses when my daughter started riding and we met Doctor Thaler. He was able to connect with my husband, who was an engineer, and explain things and draw pictures to help us understand the mechanics of a horse. Over the years, both Thalers have taught us so much, and that knowledge carried over into my daughter becoming a professional.

There’s huge value in having someone on your team as smart as the Doc.

Doctor Thaler likes to say there are three things that are important in any horse decision - time, money, and emotion. You have to decide which of those is most important before you make a plan. That mindset has served us well over the years and through many horses.

My daughter has attended every major US horse event and competed at the highest levels, and I feel confident that we’ve got the best sports doctor. He’s one of the best vets in the country.

There’s a continuum of care that’s important at a successful barn. It’s a partnership between the vet, the farrier, and those who are caring for the horse on a daily basis. If you want to compete at the highest levels, you need a strong team. At Metamora, everyone is committed to the performance of the horse and getting to that level.

The technology has always been the thing that impressed us. Doctor Thaler has the science that backs it up. He has the tools and the techniques, and he's done the studies and read the latest news. When he makes a suggestion, there are facts behind it, not a guess. He gives you the best of all the options available for whatever we are dealing with.”

Rhonda Wille, Owner

“In years past, I was flying in a vet from Chicago as I wanted the best possible expert in sports medicine for the horses in my barn. When Dr. Thaler moved into our area, I turned our barn over to him as he was, and is, always on the cutting edge of equine sports medicine as well as the general well-being and health of the horses.

Doctor Thaler is incredible at diagnostics. He has the tools, the training, and the experience to solve challenges that other vets really could not. Figuring out lameness can be very subjective. Dr. Thaler uses technology to look for answers and tell him things that the rider can’t, that the horse can’t.

The one word that captures how I feel about this practice is Trust. I never question any recommendations that Metamora Equine suggests, as I have complete faith in the practice.

Everyone at Metamora Equine is very patient and knowledgeable. I ask owners to be here during pre-purchase exams and lameness exams, so I do not have to interpret the findings. It is far better to hear it directly from Dr. Thaler as he is an excellent communicator and teacher with unlimited patience in answering questions.”

Cindy Petherbridge, Trainer, Huntsover Farms

“When the Thalers pull up, you get a feeling that it’s a meeting of the minds to solve a puzzle. They bring such great imaging and diagnostic tools with them, and they have a way of working with others that makes every exam a team effort.

For any professional coming to the barn, the most important thing is that they are willing to listen, explain, and discuss theories. The minute any professional is irritated by that process, that's my exit. One of the things I truly respect about Dr. Thaler is that he genuinely enjoys teaching. The hallmark of their service is that it involves us and educates us so we can make the best choices for the horse.

Metamora has really great imaging that they bring right to us. It allows them to follow every lead to fruition. No waiting and no guessing. They also take a very methodical approach to every exam. It’s a process, like building a puzzle, so using diagnostics and technology to collect data reveals another part of the puzzle.

With every interaction with Metamora, I come away feeling satisfied. Satisfied that we’ve had good service. That we’ve determined what’s wrong with the horse. Satisfied that we have a plan in place.

As excited as Doctor Thaler is about all the technology out there and the new things we can do for horses, he doesn’t just jump in and do it. He asks, is this the right thing for this horse? What will the long-term effects be? I think many people can't get past their love of technology to understand that it's still a tool that helps you diagnose a patient.

Our clients are very happy with Metamora because they're so attentive. They'll always answer questions and get back on the phone to go over things again. They take the time to explain things, sometimes multiple times, and never seem irritated by it.”

Sarah Ash, Trainer, True Course Farm