Gunston Hall Farm

- 2900 Russell Cave Rd, Lexington, KY 40511

For those involved in Kentucky's vital equine industry—from breeders and owners to trainers and investors—Gunston Hall Farm represents a convergence of comprehensive Thoroughbred services and expert veterinary care. Located in the world-renowned heart of the Bluegrass, this is not solely a veterinary clinic but a full-service thoroughbred facility that benefits from having a highly experienced resident veterinarian, Dr. Ruel Cowles DVM, overseeing its operations and providing specialized medical attention.

Gunston Hall Farm is a family-run operation dedicated to raising top-class Thoroughbred horses, and its success is deeply rooted in the hands-on approach of the Cowles family and dedicated staff. Dr. Cowles, who graduated from Auburn University Veterinary School, brings decades of expertise in equine medicine and surgery directly to the farm, ensuring the highest standards of care are consistently met for all boarded animals. They are committed to the entire lifecycle of the horse, offering services from breeding and specialized foal care to lay-ups and sales preparation. The practice is known for its personalized, daily monitoring of each horse to ensure its diet, health, and development are perfectly suited to individual needs.

This unique integration of a successful Thoroughbred farm and professional veterinary oversight means clients receive seamless, efficient, and deeply knowledgeable care for their valuable equine athletes and broodmares in the heart of the "Horse Capital of the World."

Location and Accessibility in Lexington's Equine Corridor

Gunston Hall Farm is ideally situated on one of the most iconic roads in Central Kentucky's horse country, making it convenient for local horse professionals.

• Address: 2900 Russell Cave Rd, Lexington, KY 40511, USA.

This location places it in a prime spot near other major equine institutions, including being just five minutes from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, which is a major advantage for emergency or referral cases requiring advanced care.

For clients and visitors, accessibility is prioritized:

• Planning Your Visit: Given the nature of a working farm and veterinary practice, Appointments are Recommended to ensure the appropriate staff and veterinarian are available to meet with clients regarding their horses.
• Accessibility Features: The facility ensures comfort and compliance with accessibility standards, featuring a Wheelchair Accessible Parking Lot and a Wheelchair Accessible Restroom.
• On-Site Amenities: A Restroom is available for client use during visits.

Specialized Equine Services Offered

The veterinary services offered are tailored specifically to the needs of Thoroughbreds and other horses, focusing on both preventative care and intensive medical management, all under the guidance of a resident DVM.

• Equine Medicine: Comprehensive preventative and routine health care, including vaccinations, deworming protocols, and health maintenance customized for performance and breeding horses.
• Medicine & Surgery: Providing diagnosis and treatment for various equine illnesses and injuries. The resident veterinarian oversees medical management, and the close proximity to specialized hospitals ensures rapid referral when complex surgical intervention is necessary.
• Foal Care: A highly specialized area, encompassing all aspects of neonatal and young horse health. This includes immediate post-foaling checks, continuous monitoring to ensure proper nourishment and development, bi-weekly evaluations with the veterinarian and farrier, and corrective measures if needed.
• Full Service Boarding: While a farm service, it is inextricably linked with the veterinary care. They provide boarding for mares, foals, weanlings, yearlings, and racetrack lay-ups, with daily oversight of health and development by the farm's veterinarian and staff.
• Telephone Services: The availability of direct contact with the farm and veterinary team ensures timely communication regarding the status and care of a client's horse.
• Breeding Services: While not explicitly listed as a 'veterinary' type, their successful breeding program with a high infoal rate (over 90%) is driven by close veterinary work, including monitoring mares' cycles, ultrasounding pregnancies, and specialized care for reproductively challenged broodmares.

Features and Highlights of the Farm and Veterinary Practice

Gunston Hall Farm stands out in the Lexington equine landscape due to its unique combination of a successful commercial Thoroughbred operation and integrated, high-level veterinary oversight.

• Integrated Veterinary Expertise: Dr. Ruel Cowles, DVM, acts as the Resident Veterinarian and Farm Consultant. This integration means every horse on the farm receives constant, professional medical oversight from a veterinarian who is intimately familiar with Thoroughbred breeding and racing demands, rather than relying solely on visiting vets.
• Comprehensive Thoroughbred Management: The farm offers services for every stage of a horse’s life, from breeding and foaling (delivering approximately 70 foals per year, with multiple attendants including an intern at every foaling) to sales preparation.
• Unwavering Commitment to Foal Development: Foal care is a major highlight, with daily handling for early imprintation, accustoming them to human interaction, and regular bi-weekly evaluations to monitor development and address any necessary corrective farriery or veterinary measures.
• Strategic Location for Emergencies: Being only five minutes from Hagyard Equine Medical Institute provides a critical safety net, allowing rapid transfer and advanced care for any complicated deliveries or severe emergencies.
• Proven Success: The farm has produced numerous top-class Thoroughbred horses, both successful in the sales ring and on the race track (e.g., Elusive Diva, Strike The Deal). This track record demonstrates the quality of their comprehensive care and management program.
• Hands-On, Family-Run Approach: The family's direct, hands-on involvement ensures dedicated care and a high level of accountability, a quality often sought after by discerning horse owners.

Contact Information

To inquire about boarding, breeding, veterinary services, or to schedule a visit, please use the contact information below.

• Address: 2900 Russell Cave Rd, Lexington, KY 40511, USA
• Phone: (859) 293-6185
• Mobile Phone: +1 859-293-6185

What is Worth Choosing: Integrated, Expert Equine Management

Gunston Hall Farm is the clear choice for horse owners and breeders in Kentucky who seek comprehensive equine management with veterinary medicine built into the fabric of the farm operation. It is worth choosing because the resident expertise of Dr. Cowles DVM ensures a proactive, highly informed approach to health—from reproductive success and critical foal care to managing lay-ups and race training preparations. The dedication to daily monitoring and personalized care for each animal, combined with the strategic location near a major equine hospital for emergencies, provides an unparalleled level of confidence and convenience. By selecting Gunston Hall Farm, you are entrusting your valuable horses to an established, successful, family-run business that utilizes deep veterinary knowledge to achieve top-tier results in equine health and performance.

Gunston Hall Farm

2900 Russell Cave Rd, Lexington, KY 40511, USA