Dr Jo Holt [pictured left completing a lameness work-up on a patient at SEH, and below left riding her Arabian stallion Rowallan Ramada at her family property] heads Scone Equine Hospital’s Performance Horse Veterinary Team.

Jo is joined by radiographer and skilled equestrian Dr. Penny Dow who has a special interest in eventing and sport horse surgical expert Dr. Troy Butt, with support from the rest of the SEH Veterinary team.

What this means is 365 day a year comprehensive support for your performance horse – no matter what your chosen discipline - provided by the best in the business. 

“A dedicated performance horse team is a great initiative by Scone Equine Hospital and offers every client access to the best equine vets in the country,” says Jo.  “We are keen to initiate a long-term management programme for each client and their horse rather than just the usual emergency response approach.

"I firmly believe successful performance requires a proactive and team approach in every discipline – that is, horse rider, crew, farrier, vet etc all working together to prevent injury and increase both success and longevity.”

A graduate of Queensland University, Jo completed 3 years racetrack practice at Flemington before a further 2.5 years as Equine registrar at Murdoch University Equine clinic in Perth.

In 1996 Jo commenced employment with Scone Equine Hospital – a practice she has called ‘home’ for the past 15 years.

Jo’s involvement in competitive equine sport traces back to 1988 when she became involved with endurance riding. In the intervening years she has not only acted as a vet, rider, and official in Victoria, Perth and NSW but she was the Australian Endurance riders National vet  in 1996-98 with ongoing official National involvement until 2004 when she states that “two kids slowed me up!”

“I have developed a special interest in performance horse medicine and sports medicine, pre-purchase examinations, lameness, nutrition, conditioning and managing for performance,” says Jo.

 “At SEH we are also using high quality ultrasound as a diagnostic tool in lameness diagnosis in combination with traditional workup and radiography."

 Jo counts as a career highlight her time as Australian Team vet (involved in selection/management nutrition and travel) for The Endurance World Championships in the UAE in 1998 where Australia secured Team bronze, and in Compiegne France in 2000 where the team secured Gold. Jo travelled with the horses and spent 3-4 weeks with them leading up to event and even trained one of the horses in France before the rider arrived.

 Jo also counts on her cv time as President of the Vet Commission, a foreign vet delegate, treatment vet and team vet at the Endurance National Championships both in Australia and NZ.

 Jo has been a regular and successful competitor over the years with placings and awards for best conditioned horse in four state championship events. She has campaigned two stallions [one of these - Rowallan Ramada - pictured left] and their offspring as well as 4 geldings.

 Stay tuned for: Future team profiles featuring Penny Dow and Troy Butt.