Equine staff
Prof Alistair R. S. Barr, MA VetMB PhD DVR DEO Dip ECVS CertSAO MRCVS
Professor of Veterinary Surgery
Alistair qualified from Cambridge University in 1982 and after a short spell in mixed practice in Norfolk moved to Langford in 1983 where he is currently Professor of Veterinary Surgery. His main clinical interests are equine orthopaedic surgery and diagnostic imaging. He obtained his PhD in 1991 for a study of carpal injuries in horses and is a Diplomate of the ECVS and the RCVS in both imaging and equine orthopaedics. He is currently one of the University representatives on the Council of the RCVS. Outside veterinary work he enjoys cricket and trying to play the guitar.
Mr Henry Tremaine B Vet Med MPhil Cert ES Dip ECVS MRCVS
Senior Teaching Fellow in Equine Surgery RCVS Specialist in Equine Surgery
Henry Tremaine graduated from the RVC in 1989, and after a spell in mixed and equine practice undertook a residency in equine soft-tissue surgery at the R(D)SVS where he attained an MPhil and Cert ES(Soft tissue) . He subsequently worked at Ohio State University and gained his Diploma of the ECVS. His research activities include equine upper respiratory tract disease and dentistry, and in addition his clinical interests also extend to wound management, and laparoscopic surgery. He is an RCVS and European specialist in equine surgery, and has published and lectured widely internationally and in the UK.
Veronica Roberts MA VetMB MA DipECEIM MRCVS
Lecturer in Equine Medicine and European Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine
Veronica qualified from Cambridge University in 2003, having previously graduated in Biology from Oxford University. She completed an equine internship at The Royal Veterinary College, followed by a residency in equine medicine at the University of Liverpool. She then spent two and a half years in Sweden as Head of Equine Medicine at a large referral hospital and stands on the Swedish Equine Veterinary Association committee.
She is a Diplomate of the European College of Equine Internal Medicine. Clinical interests are in all aspects of equine medicine but in particular neonatal care, inflammatory bowel diseases and the metabolic causes of laminitis. Her main research interest is in headshaking. In her spare time she rides and competes her horse at Advanced Medium dressage.
Evita Busschers DVM MVR MRCVS Dip ACVS
Teaching Fellow in Equine Surgery
Evita graduated from Utrecht University (Netherlands) in 2002, after which she completed an internship in a private referral hospital. After this she moved to the United States, where she completed an equine surgical internship and residency program at the University of Pennsylvania’s New Bolton Center. She stayed at New Bolton Center as a Lecturer for one year, during which time she obtained her Diploma of the ACVS. After this she returned to Europe and worked as an equine surgeon in a private referral hospital in the Netherlands and became a member of the Langford Team in the beginning of 2011. Clinical interests are in all aspects of equine surgery, but her main interest is in equine orthopaedics. Her research focus is pathogenesis and treatment of osteoarthritis and fracture repair.
Ms Francesca Compostella
Clinical Training Scholar In Equine Surgery
Francesca graduated in 2006 from Padua (Italy), where she was an undergraduate surgery intern for a year. During her first year as a postgraduate she worked in private practice in the Veneto (Italy) area. She then moved to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary studies in Edinburgh, where she participated in a 1 year Equine Internship program. In 2008 she moved temporarily to a private practice which mainly focused on race horses on the Curragh (Ireland), to later return to Edinburgh for a 6 month position as an Orthopaedic Assistant. Her interest in Equine Surgery began in 2004 during a 6 month externship at Iowa State University and she has since worked towards her goal of completing an Equine Surgery Residency and obtaining the ECVS Diploma. She has started her residency program at Bristol in January 2009 and is loving every aspect of it!
Mrs Jenny Mason BVSc MRCVS
Clinical Fellow in First Opinion Equine Practice
Jenny joined Bristol University in 2004 to run the First Opinion Equine Practice. Her clinical focus includes all aspects of first opinion equine practice with a particular interest in equine soft tissue surgery. She takes great satisfaction taking a case from the very beginning to its' completion, which is uniquely facilitated by working in the first opinion team at Langford.
Jenny qualified from Bristol University in 1998. After graduating she spent two years working in a small practice in the Brecon Beacons, following this she moved to Cambridgeshire where she concentrated on the treatment of competition and pleasure horses.
Jenny is a keen horsewoman, having ridden since the age of four. She has a rescued Weimaraner which she is currently training in agility. Her hobbies also include walking, gardening, competing at club level tennis and volunteer work restoring canals.
Mr Andrew Hill MA VetMB MRCVS
Veterinary Surgeon in First Opinion Equine Practice
Andrew qualified from Cambridge University in 1986. After a spell in mixed practices in Cambridge and Devon he became a partner in a six vet practice north of Dartmoor. His work became more horse orientated with the passing of time and lead to his establishing a 100% equine practice which flourished in the Newton Abbot area. Keen to be involved in some teaching, Andrew was appointed to coincide with the establishment of LVS to bring his experience of managing and growing veterinary practice to Langford House. Outside of work Andrew and his wife keep riding, competition and breeding horses of their own, including a young stallion. He also enjoys tending the families smallholding and motorcycling.
Kate Allen MRCVS
Kate Allen, Senior Lecturer in Equine Sports Medicine
Kate qualified from the University of Liverpool in 2002. After one year in mixed practice she came to the University of Bristol as an intern in the equine hospital. Following this she undertook a clinical scholarship in equine sports medicine with Geoff Lane and Samantha Franklin and obtained the RCVS Certificate in equine internal medicine. Subsequently Kate undertook a PhD in upper respiratory tract obstructions in the exercising horse. Kate is experienced in the provision of a complete assessment for poor athletic performance, including techniques such as electrocardiography, echocardiography, exercising endoscopy, evaluation of the lower airways, gastroscopy and musculoskeletal evaluation. Kate was involved in the development of the pioneering technique of overground endoscopy and has several publications on the use of overground endoscopy and development of appropriate exercise tests. Kate is in the enviable position of having extensive experience with both treadmill and overground endoscopy.
Kate recently started as senior lecturer and is responsible for all clinical cases referred to the equine sports medicine centre. Kate's research interest is primarily the management of diseases that affect athletic performance and in particular the diagnosis, cause and management of dynamic upper respiratory tract obstructions.
Kate has numerous publications in veterinary journals, has presented at national and international conferences and has written articles for lay magazines such as Horse and Hound.
Miss Jeanne Gouache MRCVS
Clinical Training Scholar in Equine Diagnostic Imaging
Jeanne graduated from the National Veterinary School of Toulouse in 2008 after a one-year specialisation in the National Veterinary School of Alfort. She has completed an internship in equine medicine in the Veterinary Faculty of Montreal. Jeanne joined our team at Langford in 2009 as a clinical scholar in Equine Diagnostic Imaging. Her main interests are the diagnosis and management of lameness disorders in horses, with a special interest in scintigraphy. During her free time, alongside with horse riding and running, she's fond of cooking, classic music concerts and whenever possible, travelling, especially back in the French Pyrenees for hiking.
Sanne Wilmink DVM MRCVS
Clinical Training Scholar in Equine Internal Medicine
Sanne qualified from Utrecht University in the Netherlands in 2009. As an undergraduate she travelled to Nepal to spend a year as a veterinary volunteer for street dogs in Kathmandu. After graduation she completed an internship in a large equine hospital in the north of Holland and gained an interest in equine internal medicine and neonatal intensive care. Sanne joined the Langford team in January 2011 as a clinical training scholar in equine internal medicine. Clinical interests include foal diseases, colic, and wound management.
Outside the clinic Sanne enjoys climbing, motorcycling, running, and is now trying to learn how to ride a mountain bike without being scared.
Support staff
Mrs Joy Webber BHSAI, BHS Stage 4, Registered EVN
Equine Yard Manager + Equine Veterinary Nurse
Joy has worked at Langford for a total of 15 years. She initially worked in the Farm Animal Practice as a part time technician whilst teaching in a local riding school and instructing at the Banwell Pony Club. In 1999 Joy moved to the Equine Centre and now holds the position of yard manager and Equine Veterinary Nurse having qualified in 2006.
Miss Bryony Allen NVQ Level 1 +2 in Racehorse Care + Management, NVQ Level 3 in Horse Care Management
Equine Technician
Having started her horsey career in racing at 16, Bryony has worked in various Equine industries including a horse charity which involved working with problem horses, a hunting and dealers yard. She has her own horse who she hopes to do riding club competitions with when he is older. She is Membership secretary for a local riding club and at work enjoys working with racehorses and nervous/problem horses.
Miss Julie Durbin
Equine Technician
Julie has been working at Langford for 7 years. She has 2 horses of her own and enjoys competing at one day events on a regular basis. She is currently working towards the Monty Roberts Preliminary Certificate in Horsemanship and is hoping to train as an Equine Veterinary nurse in the near future.
Mrs Sue Thomas City + Guilds Level 1 +2 in Information Technology
Equine Office Manager
Sue joined the Equine Centre in April 2002 as Office Manager. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, DIY and spending time with her dogs, cat and rabbits.
Miss Catherine Wright NVQ Level 2 + 3 Business Admin + Customer Service
Equine Administrator
Cath has worked in the Equine Centre reception for 5 years. She owns 2 horses which she enjoys riding in her spare time.
Sarah Constable
Equine Groom
Sarah has 4 horses of her own and also keeps goats, which is her first love. Sarah works at the Equine Centre part time, when not at the Equine Centre she makes goat, sheep, buffalo and cow cheese, which she is very passionate about.
Jane Watson
Equine Groom
Jane joined the equine team in June 2010 as a part –time groom and loves every aspect of the job. She is a keen horse woman, having ridden from the age of 7. Jane has an Irish draft x thoroughbred from Ireland Paddy, with big problems, whom she has owned since he was 5 years old. After numerous visits to casualty she has eventually conquered him at the age of 14 and is now having fun with him hacking over the Mendips and the occasional competition. Jane is an animal lover and in a addition to Paddy has 2 dogs, a laid back black Labrador called Dennis and a hooligan black cocker spaniel called Alfie.
Her hobbies are firstly looking after Paddy, gardening and growing vegetables.