Veterinary surgeons

Manuela graduated from the University of Madrid in 2008 and has since gained a wealth of experience and skills working in equine specific practice in Spain, Germany, Canada and the UK. She completed her internships at the Hospital of Universidad de León in Spain and at the University of Guelph in Canada. Her duties included care of in patients, assisting surgical procedures, anaesthesia, neonatal intensive care and supervision/training of vet students. She subsequently moved back to Europe working as an anaesthetist at a private practice in Germany.

Since 2015 Manuela has been working in the UK as an ambulatory vet where her role covered all aspects of equine practice. She joined Wessex Equine in July 2017 and has quickly proved an invaluable member of the team and has taken on the role of Clinical Director.

Tom is another Bristol University graduate from 2006. After graduating he moved to the North West to work in first opinion equine practice before moving to Bearl Equine- a large referral hospital in Northumberland. Tom was responsible for running the stud side of the practice and spent a large proportion of the season dealing with artificial insemination. He spent the rest of his time in varied roles including working up cases referred to the hospital by other veterinary practices and anaesthesia of surgical cases.

Tom is highly experienced across all aspects of equine practice but has a particular interest in orthopaedics. He is currently studying for his RCVS certificate in equine lameness. Having been a member of the Doncaster bloodstock veterinary team, Tom also has extensive experience in the thoroughbred sales industry.

Julian graduated from Liverpool University in 2002 with a commendation and was immediately offered a surgical internship at O’Gorman, Slater and Main in Newbury. It was here that his expertise in the veterinary care of performance horses was developed, in particular the surgical and orthopaedic treatment of competition horses. On completing the internship he stayed on as an ambulatory vet, giving the opportunity to perfect and practice those orthopaedic skills in an ambulatory first opinion setting.

In 2004 he moved to the Stables Equine Practice in Shepton Mallet building up a bank of experience in first opinion equine work. From 2008 he spent two years locuming and travelling the world before returning home to his roots in Wiltshire. Having worked in Wiltshire since 2010 he has combined his extensive equine experience with local knowledge to build an ever expanding client base.

His main interest continues to be lameness in performance horses. In 2014 Julian passed his RCVS certificate examination in Equine Orthopaedic Surgery. The successful examination followed 2 years of studying and is recognition of Julian’s expertise in the field of equine lameness diagnosis and treatment of orthopaedic conditions. He regularly visits other veterinary practices across the South West to assist with complex orthopaedic cases/procedures. He has also been invited to speak to other vets at CPD courses on the subject of lameness.

Early family involvement in thoroughbred breeding and racing was Oscar’s initiation for a career in equine veterinary practice and he graduated from Bristol Vet School in 2006. At the beginning of his career he spent six months working at the world renowned Coolmore Stud in Ireland which provided a varied wealth of experience in both the veterinary treatment and management of young and breeding stock.

Oscar then worked in a specialist equine practice in the North West, Agnew Equine. This highly progressive practice, one of the fastest growing in the UK, provided an excellent experience in all aspects of first opinion work. Modern, mobile equipment and high clinical standards were combined with excellent client care – a mantra that has helped found the principles of Wessex Equine. Professional and leisure clients were equally treated and valued. The ability to use all modern mobile diagnostic equipment has been gained. Being able to choose and use state of the art equipment has led to a rapid expansion of the practice in the first 12 months.

Oscar also is a keen flat racing and breeding enthusiast, and regularly attends thoroughbred sales in the UK. He has himself an ownership interest in several broodmares. In April 2019, Oscar completed his RCVS examination in Equine Lameness which further recognises his expertise and knowledge in this area.

Alex graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2020, having previously obtained an honours degree in Biology from the University of Liverpool and spent time working in science research. She then went on to work in mixed practice in Hertfordshire , with an interest in equine medicine. Alex joined Wessex Equine in 2022 and has a keen interest in reproduction, gastroscopes and skin diseases.

Outside of work Alex is a keen yogi and enjoys dog agility and running with her pack of dogs.

Rebecca graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2009, after a 12 month internship she went on to work in Sussex for a further 8 years, performing all aspects of general ambulatory practice as well as anaesthesia, stud work and lameness investigations. After completing her certificate in internal medicine in 2015 and become an advanced practitioner in equine internal medicine in 2016 she subsequently worked in Hertfordshire, furthering her interest in medicine, breeding work and general sports medicine.

Rebecca joined the Wessex team in 2020 and her main area of work is gastroscopy, respiratory disease and poor performance and lameness investigations.

Sarah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2019 and joined us at Wessex in December 2021 after working in practice in Dorset performing all aspects of ambulatory and emergency practice as well as anaesthesia and intensive care work. She was regularly found at Wessex as a student on placements and is very happy to be back as a Vet. Sarah enjoys all aspects of Equine practice with particular interest in poor performance work.

Sarah is always accompanied on visits by her dog Dottie who enjoys meeting everyone on the road. She also has a Connemara x mare Peach who she hopes to be out eventing soon.

Sam was brought up in a farming family, surrounded by various different animals and graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 1996. Initially starting her veterinary career in mixed practice she soon moved into equine practice for several years. Since then she has worked as a locum vet whilst breeding her children and horses.

Sam joined Wessex Equine in November 2018. She is interested in all aspects of equine practice and has recently trained in equine acupuncture. She has a pragmatic and holistic approach to veterinary care to try to ensure the best possible outcome for her patients.

Andrew graduated from the University of Liverpool in 2022 before moving down south from his home in the Scottish Borders. Andrew had been with Wessex for placement whilst studying and is now very happy to be part of the team after gaining his qualifications. His key interests are in Ophthalmology and other aspects of Equine medicine.

You may meet Andrew and his spaniel ‘Harris’ out on his calls or assisting with other vets.

Andy graduated from Bristol University in 2006. He completed his internship at the world renowned Dubai Equine Hospital in the UAE, working with high performance thoroughbreds and arab endurance horses, alongside specialists from across the world in orthopaedics, surgery, medicine and foal care. Returning to the UK, Andy worked at a large hospital in Gloucestershire, dealing with a mixture of first opinion cases and referral clients. In 2011/2012 Andy moved to work as a resident vet at Cambridge Stud, the largest thoroughbred stud farm in New Zealand.

In 2013 he passed his RCVS examination in Equine Stud Medicine – recognition of his expertise in this field. He spends his time looking after several professional stud farms, small breeders, as well as general equine work. His main interest is in thoroughbred breeding. As an owner of several broodmares himself, he understands the highs and lows of breeding work. He regularly attends the major TB sales in the UK and Ireland, working on behalf of his clients. He regularly contributes articles on breeding related topics to the Equine Health publication.

Andy now splits his time between working the Veterinary Director for NAF and working on a consultancy basis for Wessex Equine.