In case of Emergency please phone: Pets: 01422 354999 Equine/Farm: 01422 354106
Sally Strachan
Sally Strachan - BVSc. Cert. VA., MRCVS (Partner)
Sally joined Hird and Partners in June 1991, after spending two years working in mixed practice in Staffordshire. In 1993, Sally attained her certificate in veterinary anaesthesia, and contributes to the anaesthesia service at our Shelf Equine Clinic. Her main clinical interests include stud medicine; equine ophthalmology, equine dentistry and cattle herd health planning. Sally has attended many recent CPD courses, including the launch of the Emergency Services Protocol at Buckingham Palace. Sally’s hobbies include horse riding, swimming and reading.
Chris Lockett
Chris Lockett - BVM&S MRCVS (Partner)
Chris graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 1991. After spending time working in mixed practice in the Lake District, Chris joined Hird and Partners in July 1993 and subsequently joined the partnership. Whilst having a wealth of knowledge and expertise in all areas of equine and farm animal medicine and surgery, Chris’s particular interests in equine dentistry, camelid medicine and bovine medicine and surgery. In his spare time, Chris’s hobbies include mountain biking, skiing and gardening.
Tim Booth
Tim Booth - BVSc Cert AVP
(ES-Orth) MRCVS (Partner)
After qualifying from Bristol University, Tim spent the first few months of his career with working donkeys and horses at the SPANA clinic in Morocco. After working for an equine practice in Devon and as a Houseman at the Liphook Equine Hospital Tim joined the team of clinic vets at the Shelf Equine Clinic in 2008 and enjoys the varied surgical caseload and lameness investigations, especially the maintenance of performance horses. Tim is also interested in equine surgery, colics, laparoscopy and has recently attended a seminar in advanced orthopaedics. In his spare time Tim enjoys Skiing, tennis, squash and breeding warmbloods.
Peter Scholefield
Peter Scholefield -
MA VetMB, MRCVS (Partner)
Having graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1986, Peter spent time working in mixed practice in Suffolk and Colne before joining Hird and Partners. An experienced equine orthopaedic clinician Peter has been fundamental in the inception and continued development to the Shelf Equine Clinic.
Specialist Veterinary Consultant
John Hird
John Hird - MA BVSc (Hons) DVA DipECVAA MRCA MRCVS
John graduated from Liverpool in 1970 and spent several years working as a veterinary anaesthetist at both the Liverpool and Cambridge Veterinary Schools. He attained the Diploma in Veterinary Anaesthesia awarded by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) in 1974. He eventually took over the practice based at Blackwall from John Abbott MRCVS in 1977. After three years working on his own he was joined by Julia Price as his first assistant, and later Mrs Sue Roberts, with Eddie Burt and Peter Schofield becoming his partners as the practice grew.
Despite working as a general practitioner John continued his interest in anaesthesia, and in 1992 he received the Melton Award from the British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) for his contributions to the improvement of anaesthesia in small animal practice. His contribution to the speciality was further recognised by the RCVS, who awarded him the Francis Hogg Medal in 1999. Apart from working in the practice John is a Past President of the BSAVA, and the Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists, and he is also a Foundation Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. John's interests away from the operating theatre include motor rallying, supporting AFC Halifax Town, and working in his shed.
Associate Veterinary Surgeons
Ian Macpherson
Ian Macpherson -
BSC (Hons) BVM&S CertAVP (ESST) MRCVS
Ian Graduated from The University of Edinburgh in 2007 and joined Hird and Partners in January 2013 after spending five years in mixed practice. In 2018 he passed the Advanced Veterinary Practice soft tissue surgery examination and has recently satisfied the requirements for addition to the RCVS list of recognised advanced practitioners in equine soft tissue surgery.
His main areas of interest are upper airway surgery and treatment, sinus and colic surgery and arthroscopy. As well as performing surgery at the clinic Ian can also be found on the road performing gastroscopy and endoscopy as well as routine work on yards. He is also regularly on duty at Wetherby racecourse. Away from work Ian can be found walking his dogs and has two young children who keep him very busy and entertained.
Alexis Kent
Alexis Kent -
BSC (Hons), BVetMed, MRCVS
Alexis joined Hird and Partners in February 2012. Alexis moved to the Halifax area from Blackpool. Alexis enjoys all aspects of equine medicine especially lameness investigations and treatment. Alexis has attended a pre purchase examination course and a course on equine muscoskeletal ultrasound techniques. In her spare time she enjoys walking her two dogs, Lotty and Betty, eating chocolate! and socialising with friends and horse riding when time allows.
Amy Booth
Amy Booth -
BVM&S. BSc (Hons). MRCVS
Amy graduated from Edinburgh University and joined us in August 2009. Amy also holds a first Class BSc (Hons) in equine Science and assists us on the Equine/Farm ambulatory side of the Practice. Interests within the practice include anaesthesia and outside work, enjoys spending time with her two daughters, competing on her own horses, walking the dogs, skiing and travelling.
Becci Yates
Becci Yates -
BVSC (Hons) MRCVS
Becci joined Hird and Partners in September 2012, after graduating from Liverpool University the same year. She enjoys equine medicine, anaesthesia and all aspects of sheep work and is currently enrolled in the RCVS cert AVP for Advanced Practitioner. In her spare time she enjoys walking her dog Biscuit, cooking nice meals and she regularly rides and competes her own horses at dressage.
Maja S. Anderson
Maja S. Andersen -
DVM MRCVS
Maja joined the practice in 2005 as an associate large animal Veterinary Surgeon, primarily involved with work carried out Shelf Equine Clinic. Maja has a keen interest in all areas of equine orthopaedic cases and diagnostic imaging, particularly MRI.
Victoria Beck
Victoria Beck -
BVSc (Hons), MRCVS
Vicki joined Hird and Partners in July 2014 and having lived in the Huddersfield area is fairly familiar with the area that the practice covers. Vicki enjoys all of her equine and large animal clinical work, especially equine lameness and general equine medicine. In her spare time Vicki is kept busy chasing after her dogs, clay pigeon shooting and running.
Sophie Boyd
Sophie Boyd BVetMed MRCVS
Sophie graduated from the Royal Veterinary College, London in 2017 and originally from Ilkley, Sophie visited the practice as a student on several occasions and made an immediate impression after fitting in well with the team so joined us soon after graduating.
Sophie has an interest in all aspects of equine and farm work currently and enjoys simply getting stuck into the daily challenges that our varied caseload throws at her! We look forward to watching her interests develop.Outside of work Sophie has a Labrador, who she shares with her mum, so he occasionally comes to work with her to keep her company.
Alicia Howell
Alicia Howell
Kara
Kara
Debbie Brook
Debbie Brook - DPCHM, MIPTI, BHSAI
Practice Manager
Debbie joined the practice in May 2018 after an extensive period in the NHS, mostly as a GP Practice Manager, with additional roles for the local CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group) and the LMC (Local Medical Council). Debbie can be found at King Street, Shelf Equine Hospital along with our smaller branches at Walsden and Ripponden. Away from work Debbie is a horse and dog lover.
Laura Kitchen
Laura Kitchen
Shelf Clinic Manager
Laura started at Hird and Partners in 1999, having previously worked as a head girl in both showjumping and eventing yards. Laura obtained her group instructor and BHS AI. Laura is responsible for the nursing team at the clinic and is also in charge of the client bookings. In her spare time she rides her horse, Swannie and plans to start showing him this season.
Rachel
Rachel
Senior Admin and Insurance Administrator - Shelf
Gillian
Gillian
Accounts
Equine Hospital Interns
Rachel Westwood
Rachel Westwood -
MRCVS
Vicki joined Hird and Partners in July 2014 and having lived in the Huddersfield area is fairly familiar with the area that the practice covers. Vicki enjoys all of her equine and large animal clinical work, especially equine lameness and general equine medicine. In her spare time Vicki is kept busy chasing after her dogs, clay pigeon shooting and running.
Shelf Equine Hospital Nurses/Vet Nurse Assistants
Shelf Equine Hospital Reception Team
Small Animals
Services
Staff
Equine
Services
Staff
Farm Animals
Services
Staff
We may record telephone calls for training and monitoring purposes.
Contact Us
Small Animals King Street Practice
2 King Street, Halifax, West Yorkshire, HX1 1SR
Small animal: 01422 354999
Email: reception@hirdandpartners.co.uk
Farm/Equine: 01422 354106
Email: info@hirdandpartners.co.uk
Shelf Equine Hospital
Lower Giles Hill Farm, Giles Hill Lane, Shelf, Halifax,
West Yorkshire, HX3 7TW
Tel: 01274 601534
Email: shelfequineclinic@hirdandpartners.co.uk
Small Animals
52 Oldham Road, Ripponden, West Yorkshire, HX6 4DP
Tel: 01422 823312 Fax: 01422 822732
Unit 2D, Walsden Industrial Estate, Rochdale Road, Walsden, West Yorkshire, OL14 6UD
Tel: 01706 810271 Fax: 01706 818841
Sheffield Equine Clinic
Howarth Lane, Rotherham, South Yorkshire, S60 4NB
Tel: 01709 911900
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