Dr. Morresey began his veterinary career in New Zealand as a mixed animal practitioner following graduation from Massey University in 1988. Coming from a dairying family, he initially worked in an ambulatory production animal practice that serviced all species. He was recruited into a renowned equine/dairy practice in Matamata, New Zealand, in the heart of the thoroughbred breeding region.

Having gained extensive dairy and small animal expertise, he felt the draw of equine practice and was fortunate in that his career had begun with an emphasis on reproduction. He accepted a Theriogenology residency in 1996 at the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he had the privilege of learning the intricacies of the mare from his mentor Dr. Michelle LeBlanc.

Viewing reproduction as a series of interrelated events resulting in a live foal, the well-being of the neonate and the challenges involved in producing a healthy athlete led him to continue his studies at the University of Florida as a resident in large animal internal medicine. He was fortunate to experience the growth of the thoroughbred industry in Florida at that time, providing a wealth of clinical experience in critical neonates. During this period, considerable research was occurring on the neurological horse, with the University of Florida actively involved with equine protozoal myelitis and compressive myelopathy research.

Following his time at the University of Florida, Dr. Morresey accepted a clinical faculty position at New Bolton Center in 2001, the large animal hospital at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, where he was part of the ambulatory equine service. During this time, the practice doubled, providing primary care and on-farm referral services to an increasing population of performance horses. Medium-size breeding operations were also in the area, allowing student instruction on broodmare management and first opinion foal care.

Heading to the Bluegrass in 2005, Dr. Morresey returned to an in-house hospital setting. Now firmly rooted in Kentucky, he looks forward to new foal arrivals each spring and the long hours that go with the territory. The high caseload has allowed participation in many clinical collaborative research studies seeking to better understand and improve the neonate’s health.

Dr. Morresey is a member by examination of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists and holds Diplomate status in both the American College of Theriogenologists and the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He has spoken nationally and internationally on various subjects important to the practice and science of equine veterinary medicine. In addition to clinical topics (neonatology, neurology, infectious disease and metabolic concerns as they relate to reproductive medicine), he has also delved into the economics of the practice of medicine. True to his background in education, he is a reviewer and contributor to several leading veterinary journals and author of chapters in veterinary textbooks.

Dr. Morresey’s veterinary interests are broad. He is busy all spring with the many and varied problems faced by neonatal foals and high-risk pregnancies. He has worked extensively in respiratory and neurological medicine to better the performance horse. Studying at the Chi Institute of Chinese of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine to certification level gave him an appreciation of complementary techniques, which he has found useful to improve the health of his patients. Seeking to push his boundaries, he recently completed a Master’s degree with a dissertation investigating the current success of stem cell therapies in canine spinal cord injuries.

When not alongside or under a horse, Dr. Morresey is an avid gardener. He is a proud board member, supporter of, and veterinarian for Central Kentucky Riding for Hope. When inspiration and time allow, he contributes to his blog mindofavet.blogspot.com.

Dr. Brett Woodie attended North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine and earned his veterinary degree in 1995. Following graduation from veterinary college he was an intern at The Ohio State University from 1995-1996. Dr. Woodie then entered a surgery residency at The Ohio State University and spent another three years in Columbus, Ohio. During his surgery residency he completed a Master’s of Science degree. He then moved to northern Virginia where he was a clinical instructor for a year in equine surgery at Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center. He achieved Diplomate status with the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2000. His next job was as an Assistant Professor of Large Animal Surgery at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. During this time his research focus was on equine upper airway disorders. Then in 2003 he had the opportunity to move to Lexington, Kentucky and begin his job with Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital. He has been a surgeon at Rood and Riddle since that time. Diagnosis and treatment of equine upper airway problems and problems related to the cervical spine are two of his main interests. Dr. Woodie has lectured nationally and internationally. He is co-organizer of the Equine Upper Airway Symposium. This symposium is held annually in Lexington, KY.