Elder's Equine Clinic was established shortly after Dr. Elder graduated from veterinary college in 1967. Since that time, the practice has been proudly providing equine veterinary service to the Winnipeg and Southeastern Manitoba region.

Dr. Elder has always had a passion for horses and keeping them healthy so that they can perform their job as best possible. That tradition of care and service to our clients has been steadfast for nearly 60 years of practice.

​

In 2012, the practice was taken over by Dr. Chris Bell and the name was formally changed to Elders Equine Veterinary Service. Dr. Bell is committed to carrying on the proud tradition of excellent equine veterinary care to the horses of Winnipeg, Southern Manitoba and surrounding areas. The services provided by Elders Equine have expanded to include full surgical services as well as advanced sports medicine and a full ambulatory practice to provide the best care to the horses and clients we serve

​

Located adjacent the Assiniboia River, Elder's Equine Veterinary Service has a facility to provide all manner of equine veterinary services including surgery, indoor lameness evaluation, hospitalization and advanced diagnostics.

Elder's Equine was one of the first places in Canada where equine joint arthroscopy was performed and is the only equine surgical facility within Manitoba where routine and advanced surgical techniques can be performed.

In addition to the clinical facility, Elder's Equine Veterinary Service proudly serves the performance horse needs of Assiniboia Downs race track with an on-track business office and track dedicated veterinarians available to provide high quality equine sports medicine to our clients.

Elders Equine Veterinary Service was founded in 1967 by Dr. Norm Elder and originally named Elders Equine Clinic. The practice has been focused on equine medicine, sports medicine and surgery since inception and is a foundational equine practice in Canada. A primary focus on racehorse and English performance medicine during the early years of the practice, the range has expanded to a complete equine surgical and medical facility with broad focus across all equine disciplines.

Beginning as a solo practitioner mobile veterinary practice with a strong presence at the Assiniboia Downs racetrack in Winnipeg in the late 1960’s, the practice grew with the addition of a permanent racetrack office in the early 1970’s, then in 1980, the practice grew again with the addition of a permanent clinical building and preliminary surgical facility at our Lido Plage road practice location just west of Winnipeg. Dr. Elder has acted as a mentor for many associates over the years including prominent racetrack veterinarians in Western Canada and is a resource for racing medicine and pari-mutuel regulations in Canada. Dr. Elder continues to practice at the racetrack and is a collaborative mentoring member of our Elders Equine team.

In 2011, Dr. Chris Bell joined the practice. He purchased the practice from Dr. Elder in 2012.

The practice grew to include service for all equine disciplines with the practice expanding to include full surgical services, ICU/medical care, reproductive care, rehabilitation and sports medicine and an expanded equine farm service.

In 2013, the physical buildings were renovated, an office was added to the Lido Plage main practice facility and haul in hospital activities increased significantly. In 2020, the main practice facility expanded to an additional 8 stall barn with indoor riding arena. This additional space contains our rehab and reproduction facilities and allowed for expansion of our sports medicine services with year-round lameness center – a first for Manitoba. The practice then added an additional staffed office/pharmacy location in Oakbank Manitoba in 2023 in addition to the racetrack office at ASD and the general office at the Lido Plage location.

 In 2024, the practice added standing CT and MRI services – the first such combination in Canada.