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Focus
In each issue of
Equine Matters
we feature a brief insight into
a selection of the veterinary
surgeons that make up XLEquine.
Featured in this issue are Karl
Holliman, Andrew Robinson
and Sarah Spencer...
Vet
Andrew Robinson is a veterinary surgeon at Millcroft Veterinary Group in Cumbria.
I qualified from Glasgow Vet School in 1997 where I was badly bitten by a horse in my final year
and said that I would never work with them, let alone put my hands anywhere near their mouths
again! However, life in mixed practice in West Cumbria, and a short time in Herefordshire, has
given me many opportunities throughout my career to successfully work with horses. I enjoy a varied
caseload from vettings and castrations to the occasional foot trim on a zebra and officiating at the
local Point to Point races. With my power rasp I now find myself spending a large proportion of my
time with my hands in horses' mouths but only with a gag firmly in place! My practice also has a
digital x-ray machine and flexible endoscope meaning I can fully investigate cases. When not at
work I love spending time with my wife and daughters, enjoy watching Liverpool FC, run a local
Foodbank charity and do some lay preaching.
Andrew Robinson
BVMS MRCVS
Sarah Spencer is a veterinary surgeon at Belmont Veterinary Centre in Herefordshire.
A native of Vermont in the snowy northeastern USA, I came to the UK via New Zealand where
I did my vet training. I qualified from Massey University in 2010 and spent 6 months as a large
animal locum near my hometown. From there I travelled to the UK and spent 6 weeks on a tour
of 10 XLVets practices and felt right at home in Hereford where I took up a position as a large
animal assistant at Belmont Vets.
Much of my youth was misspent pleasure riding and eventing in rural Vermont, and more recently
I have become involved in Endurance vetting. My greatest post-grad experience was vetting the
Mongol Derby - 1000km across the Mongolian Steppe! I enjoy all the aspects of large animal
medicine, particularly the challenges of equine dentistry and wound management. Outside of
work my husband and I are involved in the Hereford Rowing Club where I am the ladies'
Squad Captain.
Sarah Spencer
BVSc MRCVS
Karl Holliman is the senior equine veterinary surgeon at Cliffe Equine, the equine
department of Cliffe Veterinary Group Ltd in East Sussex, where he is a Director.
I qualified from Edinburgh University (The 'Dick' Vet School) in 1991. After a short period in mixed
practice in Scotland I moved to a mixed practice in Yorkshire. In 1994 I joined Cliffe Veterinary
Group as an equine vet and am now a Director. In 1997 I was awarded the Royal College
Certificate in Equine Practice.
My main veterinary interests are all aspects of equine surgery, lameness, stud work and equine
dentistry. I am also a qualified equine dental technician having passed the joint British Equine
Veterinary Association (BEVA) & British Veterinary Dental Association (BVDA) Exams and am now
an examiner. I am also a member of the British Association of Equine Dental Technicians (BAEDT).
Over the last 2 years I have been the Chairman of the XLEquine executive and have enjoyed the
promotion of clinical excellence and horse health care within XLEquine.
Karl Holliman
BVM&S Cert EP MRCVS