Moyer appointed AAEP president

BALTIMORE — Dr. Bill Moyer will lead the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) in 2011.

The Texas A&M University professor took the reins of the national association during the 56th Annual Convention, Dec. 4-8 in Baltimore.

Moyer heads the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at Texas A&M University in College Station. In addition, he serves as the associate director of the Center for Equine Business Studies at Texas A&M and the director of the Link Equine Research Endowment. He is considered an authority for advancements in equine lameness, shoeing and the treatment of foot disorders.

Moyer says his passion for horses stems from his lifelong admiration of the American cowboy and a desire to live in the "old West." He graduated from Colorado State University with a veterinary degree in 1970 and in 1973 completed a surgical residency at the University of Pennsylvania's New Bolton Center. After co-owning a private practice for several years, he returned to Penn in 1980. He was named section chief of equine sports medicine at Penn in 1990. He joined Texas A&M University in 1993.

AAEP describes Moyer as a leading organizer of AAEP educational programs. He served as AAEP's director-at-large from 2001 to 2004 and has been active on several of the association's committees including Educational Programs, Equine Insurance and Public Policy. He's acted as a liaison to the American Farrier's Association on behalf of the AAEP and was the chair of an in-depth session on laminitis, the association adds.

Moyer's goals for the association next year are to address equine welfare issues as they arise, recruit the next generation of equine practitioners and plan relevant continuing education for equine veterinarians.

Lexington, Ky.-based AAEP was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, the association boasts of 10,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry, the association says.

New faces

AAEP also inducted other veterinarians to serve on its Board of Directors including:

• Brad Jackman, DVM, Dipl. ACVS, who will represent the association's western district through 2013. Jackman is president and owner of Pioneer Equine Hospital, a 10-veterinarian practice located in Oakdale, Calif. Jackman completed a surgical residency at the University of Georgia and served as an instructor of surgery at the University of Saskatchewan and Washington State University. He joined Pioneer Equine in 1995 and acquired the practice in 2007.

"It is imperative for AAEP to continue to be a leader in the education, including business education, for the equine veterinarian," Jackman says in a prepared statement. "Efforts to promote, protect and enhance the entire equine industry are critical to the long-term viability of our profession."

• San Antonio's Benjamin Espy, DVM, will represent the southwestern district on AAEP's board. A private ambulatory practitioner, Espy focuses on reproductive services and routine care for western performance horses. He is a diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists. He also serves as a member of the board of directors. In addition, he is a veterinarian for King Ranch in Kingsville, Texas, and an adjunct professor for the Texas A&M University System. He is the current chair of the AAEP's Horse Owner Education Committee.

During his term, Espy plans to focus on the management and transport of horses that have tested positive for equine piroplasmosis, AAEP reports. As a board member, he hopes to lead the AAEP in educating the public about this disease and encourage communication about the unwanted horse problem with state and federal policy makers.

• Also joining AAEP's board is Eric Peterson, DVM, a 26-year veteran of equine practice. Peterson is a partner at Equine Medical Associates in Lexington, Ky. He specializes in broodmare services in central Kentucky and the purchase of racing and performance horses at public auctions. In addition, Peterson is a member of the Kentucky State Veterinary Medical Board.

Peterson earned his veterinary degree from Colorado State University in 1984. He is the former owner of Delta Veterinary Clinic in Delta, Colo. A 25-year member of the AAEP, he has served on the AAEP's Foundation Advisory and Educational Programs committees.