Appreciating the singular difference this skilled professional has made to horses’ lives, and subsequently to their owners’ lives too.
These highly skilled knights in shining armour – or muddy overalls – have given your horses and ponies the best possible healthcare – but who gets your vote in the annual Horse & Hound Awards?
Baileys Horse Feeds Vet of the Year 2025 shortlist
Alan Hough
Celtic Equine Vets, Romsey, Hants
“Being a vet is genuinely a privilege. I love the variety and involvement with owners and their equines. In a day I can do some X-rays, an ultrasound, some dentistry, some internal medicine and even some surgery. I do it all outdoors and all while meeting dedicated owners who care so much for their horse’s welfare.
“This year, our whole team worked to bring a lovely horse back from being written off as ‘untreatable’ by previous vets. It was a real team effort, with everyone using specialist skills, and I am delighted that the horse and owner are now out competing and winning on a regular basis, all because the owner didn’t give up on their horse.”
Adam Jackson
Jackson Equine Veterinary Practice, Liphook, Hants
“I love that I have the privilege of taking care of horses and advocating for them. It’s not just about medicine and making them fit and healthy – I love being a part of an extended team that works with a client to improve a horse’s wellbeing. I am trying to make a difference so that when I leave the veterinary profession, I’ve done a little bit of good.
“Earlier this year I was putting my seven-year-old daughter to bed and she said: ‘You’re so busy, but it’s good because you’re helping so many people and they need you.’ It made me feel a million bucks and it made it all feel so real.”
Claire Maher
Avonvale Equine Vet Practice, Upton, Oxon
“I love the variety of my work – I never know what’s coming each day. It’s exciting and there are highs, but of course lows, too. I’m lucky to be out in the countryside, have such lovely clients, and I love helping horses reach their full potential.
“It’s been a really good year – and it’s been great to see patients getting back to what they love doing and knowing I had a small part to play. As a practice, we’ve also moved premises to become ambulatory, which will ensure we can remain independent and continue to provide a personalised service to our wonderful clients. The whole team has pulled out all the stops.”
Clare McKinstry
CM Equine Vets, Stokenchurch, Bucks
“Being a vet is not a job to me. I was once told that you get the clients you deserve, and it’s so true – a lot of my clients are now dear friends. I have a deep connection with horses, but I’m very practical, so when I see a horse in a bad way I can pick apart what’s really going on. It gives me great pleasure to help clients get their horses happy, healthy and wherever they want to be.
“This year I helped a mare who had a stillborn, and an orphaned foal – when put together the bond was instant, which was like a miracle. Stories like this highlight the emotion we go through with clients: the stress, the heartbreak and the pure joy when it works out.”
Voting closes at 5pm on Thursday 30 October and the winners will be revealed at a star-studded ceremony on 26 November, and featured online, on social media and in the following week’s magazine (4 December). Read the H&H Awards 2025 terms and conditions
Previous Vet of the Year award winners
Previous winners of this award include:
- Philippa Hughes of Dyffryn Tywi Equine Clinic
- Sophie Fulton of SF Equine Vets
- Emily Willoughby of EW Equine Vets
- Elizabeth Frew of Kings Bounty Equine
- Tim Randle
- Ken Anderson
- Alistair Field
- Natalie McGoldrick
About the Horse & Hound Awards 2025
The Horse & Hound Awards are celebrating their 10th year, being held in partnership with NAF and Agria.
As ever, the Horse & Hound Awards winners will be nominated and voted for by you, with the exception of the Horse & Hound Lifetime Achievement award, which is decided by a Horse & Hound panel. We will recognise both the big names who have made 2025 special and the unsung heroes who make it possible for all of us to enjoy equestrian sport and our horses, at every level.
The ceremony will take place at Dallas Burston Polo Club in Warwickshire, where some 300 people, including stars of this summer’s European Championships, will enjoy a glamorous evening of champagne, winner reveals, Oscar-style speeches and dancing on Wednesday 26 November.
