Equine sports activities drugs specialists on the UF Veterinary Hospital at World Equestrian Middle in Ocala supply a variety of diagnostic and remedy providers to horses on-site at WEC in addition to from the native Marion County neighborhood. Photograph by UF Well being
By: UF Veterinary Hospital at WEC
From his native Australia to Florida and subsequent to Paris, Robin Bell, B.V.Sc., lives and breathes elite efficiency horses.
As a medical professor and equine sports activities drugs specialist on the College of Florida School of Veterinary Drugs, Bell spends his days safeguarding the well being and well-being of among the world’s most distinctive equine rivals. He’s one in every of a staff of veterinary specialists primarily based on the UF Veterinary Hospital at World Equestrian Middle in Ocala, Florida.
However his ardour extends far past the hospital’s partitions. Bell has the distinct honor of serving as a longtime staff veterinarian for Group Australia, a task that took him to Paris this summer time and left him with extra reminiscences and pleasure within the silver medal that rider Christopher Burton and Shadow Man introduced house in particular person eventing.
“It was an incredible expertise,” Bell stated. “The venue was spectacular, and the volunteers and officers had been exceptionally welcoming. All of our riders gave their all, and I’m exceptionally pleased with their efforts.”
The Paris competitors was Bell’s third tour on equestrian sport’s grandest stage, a journey that traces again to his youth, when he rode and took part in eventing, even throughout his veterinary coaching. Since becoming a member of the Australian staff in 2013, together with stints in Rio and Tokyo in 2016 and 2020, respectively, Bell has performed a pivotal function in getting ready the nation’s equine athletes to thrive below the extreme worldwide highlight. In Paris, his tasks centered on the Australian present leaping staff, and included meticulously monitoring every horse’s well being to make sure peak efficiency.
“Being a part of Group Australia is a dream come true,” Bell stated. “I’ve been concerned with elite equestrian sport since earlier than veterinary faculty and have continued to compete in present leaping ever since. So, to have the ability to mix my experience with my lifelong ardour on the highest stage is extremely rewarding.”
As a staff veterinarian, Bell’s function includes monitoring the horses’ well being, efficiency and restoration earlier than, throughout and after competitions. On this previous yr, main as much as Paris, he traveled extensively to qualifying occasions throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe to guage horse-and-rider mixtures vying for choice.
Throughout the world-stage occasions, Bell’s days begin earlier than 6am and infrequently don’t finish till after 8pm, as late as 11pm on competitors nights. He watches each journey, administers remedies when wanted and ensures optimum restoration after journey to and from competitions.
“These competitions deliver immense stress, and there are at all times curveballs clinically,” Bell stated. “However now we have a robust, expert staff that at all times works properly collectively to maintain the horses at their peak, and this yr in Paris was no exception.”
Balancing his function with the Australian equestrian staff and his UF tasks is a juggling act, however one he welcomes.
“My work with Group Australia enhances my each day job amazingly properly,” he stated. “I get to use the identical approaches I take advantage of with the elite horses I deal with at UF, simply on the highest worldwide stage.”
UF has supported Bell’s function by offering reduction protection throughout his prolonged absences. His colleagues have embraced the chance, watching livestreams of Australian rivals throughout gaps between instances.
“We’re honored that one in every of our college members was capable of be a part of such an unimaginable expertise,” stated Dianne McFarlane, D.V.M., Ph.D., a professor and chair of Bell’s faculty educational division, giant animal medical sciences. “We cheered for our American staff, but additionally for Robin and the Australian equestrians each step of the way in which.”
Be taught extra about our providers at hospitals.vetmed.ufl.edu/wec or contact us at 352.414.3858 for info and appointments. Hours of operation for the equine hospital are Monday by Saturday, 8am to 5pm.
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