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 - 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 - BVSc Cert AVP
(ES-Orth) MRCVS

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.

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 -
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 -
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 -
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. 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 -
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.

Debbie Jackson - BVetMed MRCVS

After graduating from the Royal Veterinary College, London in summer she joined us in Halifax in August 2017. She is originally from Kent and is interested in all aspect of equine work and has found the medicine and colic cases to be of particular interest and rewarding. Alongside Gemma, Debbie's main role is inpatient care and she is also enjoying anaesthetics, working alongside our anaesthesia diplomat John Hird.

Debbie has thrown herself into local extra curricular activities and now is a valued member of Halifax Town Ladies Rugby Union team, attending team practice weekly and matches and also enjoys judo.

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.

Kara

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

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.

Sue - Pharmacy Technician/Assistant Clinic Manager - Shelf

Rachel

Senior Admin and Insurance Administrator - Shelf

Equine Clinic Interns

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.