VETERINARY SURGEONS
DR SIMON WOODS BVSc CertAVP MRCVS
SENIOR VETERINARY SURGEON AND PARTNER
Simon graduated from The University of Liverpool in 2006 and went straight into a large equine practice for ten years. His main interests include equine lameness, poor performance and orthopaedic surgery. Simon is the assistant vet for the British Show Jumping team, and is also an FEI Vet. He works at many local British Eventing competitions which include international events.
Interests: Equine Orthopaedics, Surgery and Advanced Dentistry
JONATHAN STEELE BVSc MRCVS
SENIOR VETERINARY SURGEON
Jonathan graduated from Liverpool in 2008. He then went straight into equine and small animal practice in Lancashire for 18 months before he then became a house vet at Liphook Equine Hospital in Hampshire.
Jonathan has since worked in a mixed clinic in mid wales seeing predominantly horses since.
At home Jonathan owns a livery yard with his wife Saski, and they have two young children Mali and Rhys as well as two ponies who keep them very busy outside of work.
Interests: Equine General Practice and Reproduction, Anaesthesia
DR AARON TAY BVMS MRCVS
VETERINARY SURGEON
Aaron graduated from Glasgow University in 2017 and immediately undertook an internship in surgery and anaesthesia at Scone Equine Hospital in Australia
Aaron joined the LHEC team in February 2019.
Interests: Equine general practice and surgery
DR MARTIN RYBAR MVDr MRCVS
VETERINARY SURGEON
Martin is our stud vet, carrying out the majority of the stud work within the practice. Martin Rybar graduated from The University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Kosice. Martin was born and raised in Slovakia. His truly professional equine life started with Coolmore. Martin has done several breeding seasons in USA, Ireland and New Zealand, working with foals, mares, yearlings and stallions. After his career in Coolmore, Martin joined Fethard Equine Hospital in Ireland, from where he moved to Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where he worked as a stud farm manager and veterinarian. Missing green grass and thoroughbred industry he returned to Kentucky where he completed a Surgery Internship at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Martin came back to Europe and decided to complete an internship in UK at Rainbow Equine Hospital, before coming to join the team at Lower House Equine Clinic. In his free time Martin enjoys fly fishing, sports traveling, and whenever he can spending time with his family and friends.
Martin joined LHEC in February 2019
Interests: Equine Reproduction, Foal medicine, General practice and Dentistry
EQUINE NURSES
CASSIE WOODS BSC (HONS) RVN
EQUINE NURSE AND PARTNER
Cassie is our qualified equine nurse and also practice partner. Alongside the running of the clinic, Cassie’s main roles include over seeing the care of the in-patients, assisting and running our theatre, and all aspects of equine nursing care and support to our vets.
Cassie has a degree in Bio-Veterinary Science and has many years of previously working in equine and small animal practice.
Interests: Equine medicine, foal care and radiography
VETERINARY GROOMS
IZZY HILLIER FDSC
VETERINARY GROOM
Izzy takes care of our in patients and the running of our veterinary yard. This includes the daily mucking out, grooming and feeding and biosecurity. Izzy also enjoys assisting with lameness work ups and general procedures around the clinic
Izzy studied FdSc Equine Science Natural Horsemanship and Complimentary Therapy at Reaseheath. When not at work Izzy enjoys spending time with her horse Harry.
Interests: General equine care and stable management
EMILY WHITBREAD
VETERINARY GROOM
Emily is our weekend veterinary groom and also helps out in the week during our busy times.
Emily has recently completed her A levels. Emily has previous experience working on a stud and also with games ponies. She was also a member of the Tanantside pony club when she represented them in mounted games
Interests: General equine care and stable management
VETERINARY ADMINISTRATION
SAM SHAW
VETERINARY ADMINISTRATOR
Sam is our veterinary Administrator and looks after all of our client accounts. Sams roles include inputting the vets work, arranging the vets diary and credit control as well as losing with equipment suppliers and referal centres Sam has previously worked within the veterinary and customer service industry and has also evented and team chased. She brings a wealth of experience in both in customer support and equine Sam is a keen biker, and is soon going to be taking part in a London to Paris sponsored bike ride.
JANE MACPHERSON
VETERINARY ADMINISTRATOR
Jane left her permanent role at the clinic in 2019, but comes back to assist us with holiday cover and during busy times.
Jane is our veterinary administrator. Her role includes booking the vets work, arranging visits, assisting clients and helping to organise everything at the clinic! She also enjoys helping with the in patients and helping the vets when an extra pair of hands is required. Jane joins us with a great deal of experience having previously worked in several equine and farm practices. Outside of work, Jane is married to a local vet, and has two children as well as Wispa the dog! Jane is a keen dressage rider and currently rides up to Advanced Medium Level.
RICHARD TURNER
VETERINARY ADMINISTRATOR
Richard joined LHEC in January 2020. He is responsible for all of the administrative aspects of the in-patient yard and in clinic procedures. Richard also oversees our healthy horse plan as well as being involved in all the aspects of day-to-day veterinary administration. Richard is currently working towards accreditation as a veterinary receptionist with the BVRA.
Outside of work, Richard enjoys cooking, gardening and renovating his 150-year-old welsh cottage.
VISITING SPECIALISTS
NEIL TOWNSEND MSC BVSC CERT ES DIPECVS DIPEVDC MRCVS RCVS
VETERINARY SURGEON AND EUROPEAN SPECIALIST IN EQUINE DENTISTRY AND SURGERY
MSc BVSc Cert ES (Soft Tissue) DipECVS DipEVDC (Equine) MRCVS RCVS Specialist in Equine Surgery European Specialist in Equine Dentistry Veterinary Surgeon. Neil joins us almost every month to provide additional dental expertise. Neil is originally from Ballyclare, Northern Ireland and qualified from Bristol University in 2004 and after a brief period in mixed practice, embarked on an equine career starting at Liverpool University as an intern, followed by a surgery residency at Edinburgh University. He then re-joined the Equine Hospital at Liverpool University in 2010 and has attained European Diplomas in both Equine Surgery and Equine Dentistry.
JIM BLURTON
REMEDIAL FARRIER
Jim is a well known respected local farrier and we are very lucky to have his expertise on the doorstep. Jim was the head farrier at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics.
Jim has represented his country for 35 years in home internationals and world events. He has won over 200 competitions world wide. Jim finally achieved his dream of becoming best in the world in 2005. After nearly 15 years of regularly finishing in the top 5 of the world championships Jim was crowned world champion in Calgary in July 2005.
Jim joins for monthly referral clinics working alongside our vets and other local farriers on more complex cases.