When it comes to first impressions, many can be lasting whether they are good or bad.

As horse enthusiasts and owners drive up the lane to Legacy Equine Centre in Glenpool, Okla., the appearance of a state-of-the-art equine veterinary hospital will, without doubt, be a lasting impression.

However, for owners Matt Klotz and Wade Spradley, impressions are impressive but quality is essential.

The idea behind Legacy Equine Centre was not a fly-by-night idea for Klotz and Spradley.

As practicing veterinarians Klotz and Spradley saw a need for an advanced equine hospital.

“We actually thought about it for a long time before we ever started drawing up plans,” Spradley says.

According to him, it all started coming together when they drew the plans up in 2000.

Seven years later what was once a grand idea had become a reality as the doors to Legacy Equine Centre opened to the public in May of 2007.

Legacy Equine Centre was designed to be the most modern, technologically advanced equine hospital in the area and that is just exactly what it is.

“We have the best surgical suite in the area as well as the most modern equipment and a staff of people who know how to use it,” Spradley says.

Even the hospital barn is set up and designed to offer as much comfort as can be offered.

The barn features nine stalls, six of which are set up for I.V. fluids and two are set up for oxygen if needed.

In addition to that, the barn is electronically controlled.

“We can control things like temperature, the lights and cooling fans all with the touch of a button,” Shannon Olsen, veterinarian technician explains.

But having a state-of-the-art facility is worthless unless it is manned by the very best professionals in the business.