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Focus
In each issue of
Equine Matters
we feature a brief insight into
a selection of the veterinary
surgeons who make up
XLEquine. Featured in this
issue are Heather Urquhart,
Andrew McDiarmid and
Imogen Burrows...
Vet
Imogen Burrows is a senior assistant equine veterinary surgeon at Cliffe Equine Clinic in
East Sussex.
After qualifying from the RVC in 2000, I gained experience in equine practice in Lincolnshire and
Northamptonshire, before relocating to Sussex in 2006.
Whilst at Cliffe Equine, my interest in equine medicine has developed, which has led me to achieve
an equine medicine certificate in 2013 and become an RCVS Advanced Veterinary Practitioner in
Equine Medicine this year. I head the equine medicine team at Cliffe and particularly enjoy
anaesthesia, respiratory and gastrointestinal investigations, plus ophthalmology and I have a keen
interest in equine reproduction with a busy AI caseload.
I am a passionate educator both in and out of the veterinary profession. I run a technical scuba
diving company with my husband, and any spare time is used diving, hiking up mountains or
renovating our new house!
Imogen Burrows
BVetMed CertAVP(EM)
MRCVS
Heather Urquhart is a senior assistant equine veterinary surgeon at Scarsdale Vets
in Derby.
I qualified as a vet from Glasgow University in 2005, and spent a brief spell in practice in East
Yorkshire before joining the Scarsdale Equine team in 2007, where I have remained ever since.
I enjoy all aspects of equine practice, but have a particular interest in dentistry, preventative medicine
and wound management. I spend a large amount of my working day as a first opinion ambulatory
vet treating horses and ponies of all shapes and sizes. I completed my advanced veterinary practice
certificate in equine practice in 2013, and am hoping to complete a further certificate in equine
dentistry next year. I also organise EquineSkills courses and other client talks at Scarsdale.
Outside of work I enjoy walking my 2 dogs and riding and eventing my horse.
Andrew McDiarmid is the head of Clyde Veterinary Group Equine Hospital referral
service in Lanark.
I qualified from Royal (Dick) Veterinary School in Edinburgh in 1988. After undertaking a 2 year internship
(houseman) at Liphook Equine Hospital I returned to Edinburgh University to undertake a 4 year residency
in equine orthopaedics. I remained at the university for a further 6 years as the head of large animal
orthopaedics before leaving in 2000. In 2002 I moved to Lanark to join the newly formed Clyde
Veterinary Group.
I have been very fortunate throughout my career to have been involved with many high profile horses
including an Olympic gold medal winning horse, a Royal Ascot winner and racehorses which have won
at the Cheltenham festival. My greatest achievement was in 1996 when I had treated 6 horses who then
went on to win at the same race meeting at Kelso race course.
My specialist interests are in lameness and orthopaedic surgery and I have published numerous vet journal
articles as well as several book chapters. Currently my particular interest is in orthopaedic surgery and
novel techniques to improve successful joint surgeries.
Outside of work my life is taken up with my 2 children. In the winter months I am a keen curler and enjoy
going skiing.
Heather Urquhart
BVMS CertAVP(EP)
MRCVS
Andrew McDiarmid
BVM&S CertES(Orth)
MRCVS