Dr Esther Skelly-Smith
BVMedSci (Hons) BVM BVS PCAC PgCert (WVA&CPM) MRCVS
Esther is an innovative veterinary surgeon with extensive experience in equine veterinary practice, with a special interest in equine welfare, sports medicine and rehabilitation. After graduating from the University of Nottingham School of Veterinary Medicine and Science in 2012, Esther went on to work at the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, working closely with Dr Sue Dyson. Since her return to Northern Ireland, she worked as an equine vet in mixed practice and for an equine dental clinic while pursuing further professional development. She is also an experienced breeder and producer of Irish Sport Horses and has competed in various equestrian disciplines. Esther farms on a part-time basis, producing both commercial and pedigree sheep.
Establishing Shanaghan Veterinary Services:
Established in 2017, Shanaghan Veterinary Services is Ireland’s first integrated veterinary referral service. The practice includes veterinary acupuncture, veterinary chiropractic, equine dentistry, pain management, rehabilitation, performance optimisation and laser therapy. Shanaghan Veterinary Services is passionate about improving the standards of equine welfare and regularly presents to stakeholders from the equine industry across Ireland.
Education
Esther graduated from the University of Nottingham School Of Veterinary Medicine and Science in 2012.
- BVS BVM with integrated BVMedSci (2012)
- BVMedSci (Hons) (2010)
- Official Veterinarian (DEARA) – Equine (2020-present)
- Foundation Course in Western Veterinary Acupuncture (2016)
- Postgraduate Certificate in Animal Chiropractic (2017)
- General Practitioner Certificate in Western Veterinary Acupuncture and Chronic Pain Management (2019)
- Post Graduate Certificate in Western Veterinary Acupuncture and Chronic Pain Management – Harper Adams University (2021)
Professional Membership
As well as being a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, Esther holds membership with the following professional bodies;
- Association of Veterinary Surgeons Practicing in Northern Ireland
- Association British of Veterinary Acupuncture
- British Veterinary Association
- British Equine Veterinary Association
- International Veterinary Chiropractic Association
- Irish Equine Veterinary Association
- North of Ireland Veterinary Association
- Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners
- Women In Business NI
Business Development & Innovation:
Esther is a forward-thinking and innovative businesswoman who has established Shanaghan Veterinary Services and SVS Equine. In 2019 she was awarded the Women in Business NI Award for Outstanding Innovation.
Communications
During her time at the Animal Health Trust, she undertook research which has been published in the Equine Veterinary Journal and was presented at BEVA Congress 2014 entitled “The centrodistal joint interosseous ligament region in the tarsus of the horse: Normal appearance, abnormalities and possible association with other tarsal lesions, including osteoarthritis”.In 2009, she completed a private research project on a large thoroughbred stud near Newmarket. The project was entitled “Epidemiology of injuries in Thoroughbred flat racehorses in training: The association with selected variables and pedigree”.
She is also a regular contributor to other research projects and is currently active in a range of research projects including collaborations with the University of Bristol and Racing to Relate. She peer reviews for the Equine Veterinary Journal and has edited “Conditions of the Horses’ Foot” in the 3rd edition (2019) of “The Veterinary Care of the Horse” by Sue Devereux. While Esther regularly publishes a range of educational articles across mainstream media, she is also a co-supervisor and placement provider for undergraduate and masters level research projects.
Since 2017
Ireland’s First Integrated Veterinary Referral Service
The Clinic
Our clinic was developed in 2019. It is in a small, private, rural location. This enables us to provide treatment and care in privacy, peace and tranquillity. We have excellent parking and turning facilities for larger vehicles. Our Clinic has purpose-built stocks and safe handling space. We also have the facilities to assess your horse on different surfaces including assessment under saddle. We have private space for taking patient histories and clinical discussions and for those clients travelling a distance we have the facility to provide you with a cup of tea or a frothy cup of coffee.
To facilitate clients working arrangements our clinic is open on a Thursday evening. Clinic appointments do not incur a call-out fee.
Overnight Care
For horses and ponies requiring overnight care as part of a bespoke rehabilitation programme, we work with a small number of trusted yards. These yards provide daily care and support under the direction of Dr Esther Skelly-Smith. While Esther provides the veterinary care and treatment required throughout the programme.
Our Mission
“Shanaghan Veterinary Services works with horses, horse owners, stakeholders and government to improve equine veterinary care and welfare standards.”
Our Vision
“Shanaghan Veterinary Services provides “patient-centred-care” where each horse is cared for individually using an integrative veterinary approach to treat and prevent injuries/disorders and is supported through clinical rehabilitation to maximise their wellbeing.”
WHO WE ARE
Our Values
In everything we do, we aim to:
- Be integrated and holistic in our approach to equine veterinary medicine and welfare.
- Empower horse owners with reliable information and resources about veterinary medicine and welfare, supported by research and evidence. This will help them towards the provision of compassionate horsemanship.
- Be empathetic in our attitudes, behaviour and decision-making.
- Work in partnership with horse owners and trainers, veterinary surgeons and allied professionals.
- Be innovative in our thinking towards the equine industry and be constantly seeking new ways of being more effective.
Our Services
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a veterinary treatment which involves the insertion of small needles through specific points on the body
Chiropractic
Chiropractic care in horses is a manual therapy, which can be used for many health and performance problems
Equine Dentistry
Routine dentistry is important to maintain the health and function of your horse’s mouth as well as impacting on their performance.
Laser Therapy
Laser Therapy involves directing infra-red radiation to accelerate the body’s natural healing process.
Nutritional Support
We can help horse owners with specific nutritional concerns, or reassurance about what’s best for the horse.
Clinical Rehabititation
This service encompasses clinical rehabilitation following a particular diagnosis, injury or surgery, and reconditioning, pre-hab and general rehabilitation advice.
SERVICE
Nutritional Support
Horses and ponies are non-ruminant herbivores and would naturally graze for up to 18 hours a day. Today, what horses eat is largely determined by us and we must take full responsibility for wise choices to maximise the physical health and well being of equines in our care. Often nutrition plays a vital part in horses clinical management, during rehabilitation and optimisation of performance.
At Shanaghan Veterinary Services as part of our integrated approach to the care of your horses and ponies, we are happy to provide you with advice on the best nutritional care.
In 2020 SVS Equine was launched to complement Shanaghan Veterinary Services. SVS Equine was established to provide horse owners with a trustworthy range of evidence-based and scientifically developed products. The health and wellbeing of all equines are at the core of our mission, ultimately enabling horses to realise their full potential. The business is managed by Timothy Smith and Esther acts as a veterinary consultant. To find out more visit www.svsequine.co.uk