Straight From the Horse's Mouth

What led you to a career in veterinary medicine?

Dean's Update: Equine Safety

Dean Stetter’s August video update featured discussions with Dr. Stover, CEH Director Carrie Finno, and others about our researchers’ contributions to improving equine health and welfare.

My first horse was from the Navajo Indian Reservation in Arizona, which is where our family lived at the time. That experience eventually led to a show horse, which led to my participation in rodeos in college. 

During veterinary school at Washington State, I had the opportunity to participate in a few research projects. My mentor suggested that I apply for an internship. At the time, I didn’t even know what an internship was! I applied in California, Texas, and a few other places. I was accepted  and thought, ‘Well, at least I don’t have to worry about getting a job.”

I loaded my pickup truck and drove down to California - going from a very green, lush eastern Washington spring to 105-degree weather and the brown, dry, flat terrain of Davis. I almost turned around and went back! Luckily, it led me from an internship into a residency and meeting my husband (Executive Associate Dean Emeritus John Pascoe).

What led you to study racehorses in particular?

Originally, I was actually interested in colic surgery. However, I received an opportunity from Oak Tree Racing Association to study bucked shins in Thoroughbred racehorses. That really started it all. One of my mentors, Dr. J.D. Wheat, also encouraged me in that direction.

What has been your favorite part of the job?

I love working with horses and enjoy combining that with teams of undergraduate and graduate students, residents and faculty. I love working with teams collaboratively to try to understand and solve problems, and work to prevent injuries in all sport horses. 

Can you tell us a story about a challenge in your research that you overcame? 

All research is challenging! The cool thing is to be able to overcome the challenges. One challenge in particular that comes to mind is when Keeneland Racetrack in Kentucky called and said, ‘We need someone to come measure surfaces.’ We managed to put together horses, a trailer, all the equipment, a farrier, staff, and travel arrangements and then Hurricane Katrina hit. The situation helped us understand the benefits of the synthetic surface in hurricane conditions. Putting together equipment, a team, and horses for a project far away that you knew had to succeed was a significant challenge. It was an amazing feeling to actually accomplish it.

In your opinion, what is the most exciting or promising research going on in your field right now? 

There are several things, actually. The more that we are learning about surfaces and how they influence risk for injury, but also the technological advances on the horizon that are going to allow us to detect very early mild injuries in horses and appropriately test and rehabilitate them so they can have long careers. 

With all of these advances, what do you see for the industry in the next 10 years for orthopedics?

It’s going to be much healthier because horses will be healthier. They will have longer careers. Horses will have personalized training and detailed exercise histories. This will benefit both equine and jockey welfare because there will be fewer falls. 

I think we’re going to see a huge transition, like we’ve seen in California, to a culture of safety - where everyone is working for the benefit of the horses, the jockeys and everyone will be happier and healthier.

I think in the next 10 years racing will be thriving!

What advice would you give to researchers just starting out in this field?

Be optimistic. Think outside of the box. Follow your dreams. Gather teams around you that you enjoy working with and you will be successful. 

What do you love about UC Davis?

UC Davis is a land of opportunities. We have fantastic resources, faculty in the School of Veterinary Medicine, the Department of Biomedical Engineering, and the School of Medicine on the same campus, as well as funding support and bright students. The collaborative opportunities and the synergism are phenomenal. Put that together with amazing people and resources and you have no excuse but to succeed. 

Which foundations have supported your research?

The Center for Equine Health has been fundamental to my research program. The Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation, Inc. has also been a tremendous supporter for a significant number of our racehorse studies. I have been fortunate to obtain funds from various organizations including the McBeth Foundation, Niarchos Foundation, Veterinary Orthopedics Society, Morris Animal Foundation, United States Equestrian Federation, Southern California Equine Foundation, Oak Tree Foundation, and American Quarter Horse Association, among others. 

What is next for you?

I’m looking forward to the opportunity to enjoy family, explore the outdoors, and be at home with my husband. I will be continuing my work with the Horse racing Integrity and Safety Authority and doing research because the job is not done!