No. 304. Heather O'Leary DVM - Creating a Rich Environment for Your Horse

Lydia Gray, DVM, MA is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine (and U of I -- Springfield, where she did graduate work in communications). She has worked in private practice, at the veterinary school, for the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), in the animal welfare field as Executive Director of the Hooved Animal Humane Society, and most recently as the former Staff Veterinarian - Research & Medical Director for SmartPak Equine. But what makes her most interesting is what she does in her "spare time." From dressage to sidesaddle to carriage driving -- and from judging to scribing to putting on workshops -- Dr. Gray loves exploring new disciplines with her horses, including the versatile Trakehner "Newman," (may he rest in peace), and the up-and-coming "Stan Lee," a 5yo Dutch Warmblood.

After graduating from Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in 1991, Dr. Rachel Heart Bellini started her career working at thoroughbred racetracks all across the country. After leaving the track she settled in the Chicago suburbs and specialized in referral sports medicine. Recognizing the limitations of the conventional model in treating chronically sore sport horses, she began to expand her training, a process that has continued for the past 20 years. Dr. Bellini is now certified in Veterinary Acupuncture, Animal Chiropractic (VSMT), and Human Homeopathy, and has accumulated hundreds of hours of training in advanced chiropractic, functional neurology, acupuncture, herbal medicine, and spiritual medicine. In 2008, she founded Heart Equine and travels across the United States to practice holistic sports medicine. Currently based in beautiful Texas hill country, Dr. Bellini offers online courses to holistic equestrians and is a passionate advocate for providing the best possible care to equine athletes. 

Dr. Heather O’Leary is a veterinarian who specializes in acupuncture, chiropractic, and other holistic modalities. She has attended live Sure Foot Pad workshops with Wendy and incorporates SFPs into her equine therapy sessions. Here she talks about creating an enriched environment for your horse’s physical and mental well-being.

Alicia Harlov, of Humble Hoof, talks about the different aspects of Navicular Disease. Note - the beginning of this webinar was not recorded. Only the introductions were lost and she repeated the first slide.

Celeste Lazaris is a biomechanical lameness specialist, an expert in equine movement and muscle development, and a pioneer in developing the physical body to protect the nervous system. Her primary focuses are releasing nerve impingements in the horse that cause restrictions and undiagnosed lameness, teaching owners how to develop their horse's body both in hand and under saddle, and utilizing intrinsic motivation and proper movement to prevent injury and nerve-related problems. She is highly valued by Veterinarians around the world for her ability to help them utilize a more holistic approach to lasting changes. Due to her background as a professional trainer and competitive rider, she is approachable and excels in teaching both trainers and adult amateurs alike. Her work is truly revolutionary for equine performance, lameness prevention, and helping the horse-human dynamic.

Dr. Martha M. Faraday (Ph.D.) is a scientist and holistic equine nutritionist whose mission is to alleviate suffering and promote vibrant health in horses of all ages.  Prior to her work with horses, Dr. Faraday spent two decades developing evidence-based medical treatment protocols for physicians to optimize the care of human patients. After struggling to manage her own horses’ complex conditions – insulin resistance, founder, neurological issues, allergies -- she was inspired to turn her attention to a deeper understanding of how to use food and nutraceuticals to support the body in healing itself.  “Food is the foundation” became her mantra.  She continues her training with tutorials from expert practitioners and formulators.  Her practice includes horses in all stages of life and work, from horses in intensive competition to retired elders

Carol Layton, B.Sc, M.Ed (Balanced Equine) is an independent Equine Nutritionist and educator with a science and technology background with a passion for the optimal feeding of horses, based on science. In 2008, Carol enrolled in equine nutrition courses provided by Dr Eleanor Kellon VMD and has been a tutor for students in NRCPlus since 2009. Carol is currently a lecturer in Equine Nutrition for the Certificate of Equine Hoof Care Practitioner course (ACEHP) in Australia and has been invited to speak at numerous conferences in Australia and overseas including the 2012 World Hoof Care Conference in Prague, 2017 NO Laminitis Conference in Arizona and more recently the Progressive Hoof Care Practitioners Conference in Denver. Carol enjoys endurance, her endurance horse, Omani Mr Sqiggle was an Australian National Points and Distance horse in 2009 and won the Big 3 Award, one horse/one rider in 2010 (250 mile marathon Shahzada, Tom Quilty and State Championship 100 milers).

Bettina Drummond shares with us on a wide variety of topics including defining dressage terms, personal experiences, and her view of dressage in the modern age.

Catherine Winter is the founder and owner of Ride EquiSafe whose mission is to help equestrians be safer in the saddle. She is a passionate advocate for equestrian safety and launched the company due to her own personal challenges researching equipment for herself.

Dr. Martha M. Faraday (Ph.D.) is a scientist and holistic equine nutritionist whose mission is to alleviate suffering and promote vibrant health in horses of all ages.  Prior to her work with horses, Dr. Faraday spent two decades developing evidence-based medical treatment protocols for physicians to optimize the care of human patients. After struggling to manage her own horses’ complex conditions – insulin resistance, founder, neurological issues, allergies -- she was inspired to turn her attention to a deeper understanding of how to use food and nutraceuticals to support the body in healing itself.  “Food is the foundation” became her mantra.  She continues her training with tutorials from expert practitioners and formulators.