LAMENESS PROGRAM Dr. Robert P. Boswell, DVM Dr. Boswell is a 1985 graduate of the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation he practiced in Davie Florida for a year before to Wellington and joining Palm Beach Equine Clinic where he remained for 23 years. In 2009 he sold his interests and started a solo Equine Sports Medicine Practice in Wellington. While at PBEC, Dr. Boswell developed the Surgical and Sport Horse Medicine aspect of the practice, which up to that point was mainly dedicated to the sport of polo. He is a pioneer in the use of nuclear scintigraphy in equine practice, and held the first nuclear medicine license in private practice in the State of Florida. His primary professional focus is in sport horse medicine and lameness, laminitis, and advanced diagnostic imaging. He is the founder and first president of the Florida Association of Equine Practitioners and a founding member of the International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of The Foot. He has been recognized for his contribution to veterinary medicine by the Governor of the State of Florida, The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine (2008 recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award), The Florida Veterinary Medical Association, the AVMA, and is a 2018 inductee into the International Equine Veterinarian Hall of Fame. Dr. Sue Dyson, PhD, FRCVS Head of Clinical Orthopaedics, Centre for Equine Studies, Animal Health Trust Sue Dyson qualified from the University of Cambridge in 1980. After two years working in the USA, Sue returned to UK and currently runs a clinical referral service for lameness and poor performance, attracting clients from the United Kingdom, Ireland and continental Europe. Sue is a Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS), holds the RCVS Diploma in Equine Orthopaedics and is recognised as a Specialist in Equine Orthopaedics by the RCVS. Sue is also an Associate of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and a founding Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Sue is co-editor, with Mike Ross, of Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse and co-author of Clinical Radiology of the Horse and Equine Scintigraphy. She has published more than 280 papers in peer reviewed journals concerning lameness and diagnostic imaging and has lectured worldwide. Sue is a former President of the British Equine Veterinary Association. Sue is also a rider, and has produced horses to top national level in both eventing and show jumping, is a British Horse Society Instructor and veterinary advisor to the Saddle Research Trust. Dr. Richard D. Mitchell, DVM, MRCVS, Diplomate, ACVSMR Rick Mitchell grew up on his family s working horse farm in North Carolina. He participated in fox-hunting, and hunter/jumper competitions from childhood to an adult. He graduated from the Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1974. He served on active duty in the USAF Veterinary Corps for two years following graduation. He then began private practice in Connecticut with his mentor, Dr. Howard Raven in 1976. He currently is a part owner of Fairfield Equine Associates in Newtown, CT and practices equine medicine and surgery with an emphasis on lameness and imaging. He has been internationally certified in veterinary acupuncture (IVAS) and equine locomotor pathology (ISELP), is a certified RSO, and he completed requirements for Diplomate status in the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR) in 2015.
Rick has been involved in national and international equine competitions as both a rider and veterinarian. As a rider, he has won two national championships and one world championship in various disciplines. He has authored multiple nationally and internationally published articles and textbook chapters on equine health care. He has been an invited speaker on sport horse medicine in the U.S., Canada, Europe, the United Kingdom, South America, Africa, India, and Mexico. Rick has served on multiple Boards of Directors including the United States Equestrian Federation, Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Association of Equine Practitioners and is currently the chairman of the AAEP Foundation Advisory Council. Rick is a current Trustee for the American Horse Council and chairman of the Health and Regulatory Committee. He was also a founding member of the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology, serving on the society s board of directors. 2016 marked his sixth visit to the Olympic Games as an attending veterinarian for the US Equestrian Team. Dr. Carla Pasteur, MS, DVM, CVA, CVSMT, CERP Dr. Pasteur received her veterinary degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1991. She went on to become certified as a CVA by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and completed training at the International School of Equine Osteopathy. She is a certified veterinary spinal manipulation therapist by The Healing Oasis Wellness Center. She is an instructor of acupuncture at the Chi Institute. In 2011, Dr. Pasteur established the Pasteur Equine Learning Institute and began offering the Equine Medical Manipulation (EMM) course to veterinarians. Her focus is on combining conventional and alternative methods in treating horses. Dr. Pasteur has lectured around the world on medical manipulation and acupuncture in the equine athlete. She is an assistant editor of the American Journal of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine, a member of the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology and instructor at the Integrative Veterinary Medical Institute. Her veterinary practice is primarily Thoroughbred race horses and sport horses and focuses on performance, pre-habilitation and conditioning. Dr. Michael W. Ross, D.V.M. Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons Professor of Surgery Dr. Ross is a Professor of Surgery at New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation from Cornell University s New York State College of Veterinary Medicine in 1981, he completed a large animal internship program. Dr. Ross then completed a 3-year large animal surgical residency program at New Bolton Center where he was appointed Lecturer in Surgery from 1985-1988, Assistant Professor of Surgery from 1988-1993, and Associate Professor of Surgery from 1993-1999. In 1999 Dr. Ross became Professor of Surgery. Dr. Ross became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1986 and is an active member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Dr. Ross has broad clinical interests including equine gastrointestinal, respiratory, and musculoskeletal surgery, but in recent years has concentrated efforts in orthopedic surgery with a particular interest in arthroscopic surgical techniques. Equine lameness diagnosis and management has always been a passion and clinical focus, with a special emphasis in the Standardbred and Thoroughbred racehorse. Dr. Ross developed and is Director of the Nuclear Medicine Program at New Bolton Center and is the author of over 420 scientific papers, books, proceedings, abstracts and book chapters. Ross and Dyson s lameness textbook and companion CD, Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse, published December 2002 by WB Saunders (Elsevier Science), and now the 2 nd edition, with a companion website, www.rossanddyson.com published November 2010 is the culmination of over 36 years of study and interest in clinical examination, imaging and management of the lame horse. Ross and Dyson were recognized for that work by the Association of American Publishers for outstanding achievement in Professional and Scholarly Publishing (2003 award in the field of nursing and allied health).
PODIATRY PROGRAM Dr. Raul Bras DVM, CJF, APF Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital Dr. Raul Bras grew up in Puerto Rico where he showed and bred Paso Fino horses. He finished his undergraduate at Louisiana State University with a Bachelor in Animal Science. He graduated from Ross University Veterinary School in 2005 and completed his clinical year at Auburn University. In 2005 Dr. Bras completed a surgery internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital and the following year he stayed on as an Associate Veterinarian. Dr. Bras completed the farrier program at Cornell University in 2007 and in 2010 became a Certified Journeyman Farrier of the American Farriers Association. In 2012 he became a shareholder at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital. In addition to providing his expertise in equine podiatry in Lexington KY, he travels all over the world. He is devoted to a better vet-farrier relationship and an active participant within various industry associations. In 2015 Dr. Bras was inducted into the International Equine Veterinarian Hall of Fame. Joao Neto CF, APF JN International Equine Podiatry & Equine Hoof Solutions LLC Joao was born in Brazil and came to United States in 2000 to become a professional farrier. He apprenticed with Quinn Hansen of Navasota, TX to gain experience in shoeing sport horses, quarter horses and therapeutic shoeing. In 2003 Joao started to study with veterinary/farrier Dr. Ric Redden of Versailles, KY. Over the years as Joao gained knowledge and experience, he developed the skills to read and interrupt radiographs from a farrier s perspective. These skills and expertise soon gained great respect in the industry. Joao has served as an instructor and team member at Reddens International Equine Podiatry Center. He has traveled to Switzerland, Germany, Brazil, England and Spain studying and teaching. Joao Neto founded Equine Hoof Solutions LLC located in College Station, Texas. Focused on utilizing the benefits of the mechanical thought process in an effort to enhance the healing environment for a variety of foot issues, Joao has developed a great relationship consulting with several veterinarians and equine hospitals in Texas. He also shoes for several high level sport horse trainers traveling to seasonal competitions in Kentucky, Florida and California. He believes that a great relationship between a veterinary and farrier is a major key for saving careers and lives of horses suffering with foot issues. Dr. Ric Redden Doctor Redden is a lifelong horseman, and a farrier since the early 1960s. He graduated Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1974, with distinguished honors in equine medicine and surgery. He then developed an international track practice and built the first ever exclusive equine podiatry facility in 1983. Hosting 20 International Bluegrass Laminitis symposiums and teaching his ever evolving, innovative concepts and techniques throughout the horse world opened the door of opportunity for countless farriers and veterinarians that wanted to better understand the mechanical thought process and align with basic podiatry principals. In 1998 Dr Redden was inducted into the International Equine Veterinarians Hall of Fame.
Dr. Gregory S. Staller, DVM Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Surgeons Practice Owner/Staff Surgeon/Sports Medicine Clinican Dr. Staller is the founder and owner of Running S Equine Veterinary Services in Califon, New Jersey. Running S Equine provides primary and referral services in Equine Medicine, Surgery and Sports Medicine. Following graduation from UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in 1987, he completed a one-year rotating internship in large animal medicine and surgery at UPenn s New Bolton Center. Dr. Staller went on to complete a 3-year residency (1988-1991) in large animal surgery at New Bolton Center. He became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1995. Always intending to work in private practice, Dr. Staller gravitated from the outset toward work with Sport Horses. His main clinical interests are orthopedics, sport horse medicine and lameness diagnosis and treatment, as well as arthroscopy, orthopedic and general surgery. Dr. Staller s professional time is devoted largely to lameness work and this has evolved into a major interest in and close relationship with the equine foot. Dr. Staller has had the good fortune to work with, and learn from some of the world s best horseshoers and farriers over the years, the collaboration with whom has led to success and reputation with a broad range of lameness conditions, and hoof maladies. Stefan Wehrli, Farrier Heldswil is a small village in canton Thurgau. It is well known to many equestrians around Europe, mainly thanks to farrier Stefan Wehrli, established here since 1997. His clients come from all over Europe, and you ll often see a horse lorry from Italy, Germany or Holland parked in front of the forge. Vets and owners alike value his accurate eye and his feel with horses. Stefan Wehrli has successfully competed in showjumping up to 1.45m, with horses that he had produced from the start up through the levels. This experience has greatly helped him understand the demands and expectations of his clients. Stefan decided to be a farrier when he was 5 years old. He completed his apprenticeship under Theodor Bühler in Abtwil. He gained a lot of experience in the army, where he worked as military farrier. After that, he worked as a farrier for Hans Schäfer in Schlatt. He became independent in 1995, and opened his own forge in Heldswil in 1997. Since then, he has attended numerous courses. He completed courses with Dr. Ric Redden in the USA, with Dr. Scott Morrison also in the US, and with Rob Renirie in Holland. His business activities currently span three areas: horse shoeing, continuous professional education and products. As a Farrier, he has specialised in two domains: the shoeing of top sport horses, and therapeutic shoeing of horses with limb and hoof problems. His sport horse clientele are mainly showjumpers, many of which have participated in the Olympics, World championships and European championships. Stefan also shoes dressage horses and racehorses at the top level of their sport. When working on therapeutic shoeing, Stefan has collaborated with renowned vets all over Europe. He also shoes and treats horses at home, where he has stables for his clients horses. Whether laminitis, quatercracks, tendon or joint problems, Stefan Wehrli can offer optimal solutions thanks to collaboration with the corresponding specialist and excellent infrastructures. Since 2010, Stefan Wehrli leads continuous professional development courses for veterinarians and farriers, where he shares his knowledge and experience. The course includes a yearly basics course and specialised themed days every second year. Furthermore, he gives courses in French, English and German for his WTS products. He is also in high demand as a lecturer at international congresses.
INTERNAL MEDICINE & REPRODUCTION PROGRAM Dr. Etta Bradecamp, DVM, DIPL. ACT, DIPL ABVP Dr. Bradecamp is board certified in Theriogenology (Reproduction) and Equine Practice and brings more than 10 years of experience in equine reproduction. Dr. Bradecamp practiced for several years in Virginia following graduation at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1999. She returned to academia in 2003 to pursue advanced training in reproduction completing an equine practice residency at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine and Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital in Australia. Dr. Bradecamp became a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenology and American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Equine Practice) in 2005, and returned to private practice in Virginia. Dr. Bradecamp has extensive experience in equine reproduction with a special interest in embryo transfer and stallion infertility. She is involved in several professional organizations and serves on the AAEP Owners Education Committee, and is the current president of the Virginia Association of Equine Practitioners and president-elect of the Northeast Association of Equine Practitioners. She has also lectured and taught wet labs to veterinarians at numerous meetings. Rood & Riddle is pleased to have Dr. Bradecamp's expertise available to our clients. Dr. Nettie Liburt, PAS Dr. Nettie Liburt is the Senior Equine Nutrition Manager at Mars Horsecare US/BUCKEYE Nutrition. Dr. Liburt is from eastern Long Island, NY and her lifelong involvement with horses began with her first pony ride at age 2. She went on to spend 11 years as part of Cornell Cooperative Extension s Horse 4-H Program as a member of the East End Equestrians. She competed in the competitive equitation divisions as a junior rider, and carried her passion for horses through her academic career. Dr. Liburt completed her MS and PhD degrees in Animal Science, concentrating in Equine Exercise Physiology and Nutrition, at the Rutgers University Equine Science Center in New Brunswick, NJ. Dr. Liburt s Master s thesis focused on the effects of food extracts (specifically cranberry and ginger extracts) on the inflammatory response to acute, intense exercise in horses. The study was published in the journal, Comparative Exercise Physiology in 2010. Her dissertation research focused on the effects of age and exercise training on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and glucose metabolism in horses, before and after exercise training. She earned her PhD in 2011, and her studies have been published in the Journal of Animal Science and Comparative Exercise Physiology. Dr. Liburt has authored or co-authored multiple other peer-reviewed publications in The Equine Veterinary Journal, Equine and Comparative Exercise Physiology and the Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. She has presented her work at meetings of the Equine Science Society, The Mid-Atlantic Nutrition Conferences and the Dorothy Havemeyer Geriatric Equine Workshop (2010). She has also co-authored fact sheets for horse owners through Rutgers Cooperative Extension on topics of general horse management and care. Since 2014, Dr. Liburt has been an invited reviewer of papers submitted for publication to the journal, Comparative Exercise Physiology. Dr. Liburt has worked independently as a consultant, and for major feed companies including Kent Nutrition Group and Purina Animal Nutrition. Currently, her role with BUCKEYE keeps her busy helping to cultivate new products, train associates in equine nutrition, and working with the company s UK-based team at the WALTHAM Centre for Pet Nutrition on developing and implementing nutrition research protocols. She thoroughly enjoys being a part of a company whose mission is, To make the world a better place for horses, especially since her goal has always been to keep the horse s best interest at heart.
Dr. Liburt maintains membership in the Equine Science Society and is a registered Professional Animal Scientist (PAS) with the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists. She is a horse owner as well, and currently has an Appendix gelding named ET that she trains, trail rides and occasionally competes in the hunter divisions. She is a past-board member of the East End Livestock & Horseman s Association, and maintains membership in local and national horse organizations. She can t imagine a life without horses, and enjoys the unique perspective of being a horse owner and an equine scientist! She is also a fitness enthusiast and loves outdoor activities. Dr. Liburt still lives on Long Island with her non-horsey, but musically inclined husband, Randy. Dr. Eric Parente Dr. Eric Parente is a Professor in Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania New Bolton Center. Dr. Parente, a former member of the ACVS Board of Regents, chaired the Examination Committee and directly participated in restructuring the examination process and creating the most recent job analysis survey. He has trained residents for over 20 years and currently serves as the alternative ACVS representative to the Veterinary Specialty Organizations Committee. The Director of Certification is responsible for implementing the strategic objectives for residency training set by the ACVS Board of Regents including developing and administering a robust oversight process to coordinate all aspects of the College s certification process. Dr. Parente will oversee residency training program registration, resident training requirements review and completion, delivery of the examinations, the maintenance of certification process, and the dual certification program. He will work closely with ACVS committee directors and chairs to develop outcome assessment tools for certification processes evaluation and provide guidance to the Board of Regents regarding the effectiveness of the processes. Dr. Amy Polkes Dr. Amy Polkes is a board certified Equine Internal Medicine specialist. Dr. Polkes received her Bachelor in Science from Cornell University and her degree in Veterinary Medicine from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine. She was in private equine practice for several years before continuing her training at the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine with a residency in Large Animal Internal Medicine. In 2002, after completing her residency program, she established an Equine internal medicine mobile consulting practice in Maryland and Virginia as well as providing consultation for Antech Diagnostics on equine medicine cases. Dr. Polkes has now grown her referral practice, Hudson Valley Equine Internal Medicine, to provide mobile equine internal medicine services in Maryland, Virginia, New York and Connecticut. Dr. Polkes is also a consultant with Antech Diagnostics for the last 16 years and in In the last several years, has expanded her position to take on the role of Equine Business Development Consultant with Antech. She has helped to facilitate the expansion of equine diagnostic testing within Antech Diagnostics to provide more comprehensive and advanced equine diagnostic testing. She continues to work with Antech to offer quality and affordable diagnostic testing to equine practitioners and provide continuing education on equine diagnostic testing. Dr. Polkes resides in Maryland with her husband (who specializes in small animal internal medicine), her 2 teenage children and her 3 dogs. She enjoys hiking, biking and skiing and spending time with her family at all of the various sports activities!