Speakers - Equine

Associate Professor in Equine Science, University of Limerick 
Resident, European Veterinary Parasitology College (EVPC) 

Nikki Walshe is an equine clinician and academic with a research focus on sustainable parasite control, antimicrobial stewardship, and the application of behavioural science in veterinary practice. She chairs the national EPIC group (Equine Parasite Information and Control), leads the development of the EPIC microcredential and risk assessment tool, and co-developed the Equine TASAH programme under Animal Health Ireland. Her work integrates clinical parasitology, stakeholder engagement, and One Health principles to support evidence-based decision-making in equine practice.

Siobhan graduated from UCD in 1997. She worked in ambulatory equine practice in Ireland until 2001 when she took up a residency in Equine Internal Medicine at the then Hagyard, Davidson and McGee in Lexington, Kentucky. Following completion of the residency she took up a role at the Stables of King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia for 5 years. She then returned to Lexington for 2 years where she ran her own practice. In 2010, she took up a medicine position at the newly constructed Kawell Equine Hospital in Buenos Aires where she remained until returning to Ireland in 2017 to take up a medicine position at Fethard Equine hospital. She now works as an equine internal medicine consultant in conjunction with a part-time pharmacovigilance role with MSD AH Ireland. She is also the technical advisor for Veterinary Immunogenics UK. Siobhan has numerous publications in both English and Spanish. 

Dr Joe Collins is currently president of FEEVA - the Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations, as well as being the Chief Veterinary Advisor at The Donkey Sanctuary. 

An independent expert at the European Commission's Platform on Animal Welfare and Chair of their Equine Sub-Group, Dr Collins is also a member of the Board of Directors ('The Authority') at the HPRA - The Health Products Regulatory Authority - and Chair of their Advisory Committee on Veterinary Medicines (ACVM). 

Dr Collins is a past president of Veterinary Ireland.

John Ortega-McCormack graduated from University College Dublin in 2014. After graduation, he completed a rotating internship at UCD, followed by a period in general practice in Ireland and the USA. He then undertook an equine surgery and lameness internship at BEH, Pennsylvania. This was followed by a hospital internship at the University of Georgia (USA). On completion of residency at the University of Georgia, he became a boarded diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and is presently one of the staff surgeons at Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital in the Curragh. He has a predominant interest in orthopedics and minimally invasive surgical techniques.

Having graduated from UCD in 2014, Martha spent 10 years in mixed practice across Mayo and Limerick. She developed an interest in equine dentistry, continuing her training with BEVA in the UK and other CPD. She offered an equine dental service alongside mixed practice for eight years, developing a wide client base. In 2024, Martha moved to offering an equine dental service full-time. 
Beyond offering routine treatment, her services expanded to include second opinion cases, diastema treatment, geriatric management, EOTRH cases and simple extractions in the field.  
Martha also works closely with The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland, both on their farms and through their outreach service.  
Based at home in Limerick, on a small holding with her husband (also a mixed practice vet) and her three-year-old son, the family keep some heifers, and Martha has two competition horses that keep her busy in the jumping season.

Michael O’Donoghue has been a practicing vet for the past 50 years graduating from University College Dublin in 1976. He has been in his own equine only practice in Mullingar for 40 years firstly as a sole vet then going into a partnership and rebranding as Mullingar Equine Vets in 2018.
Mullingar Equine vets is a busy 100% ambulatory equine practice with 6 vets in total.
Michael is also a senior veterinarian in Kilbeggan Racecourse and is on many veterinary panels for vetting horses.
In his spare time, he likes watch football, racing and to do a bit of cycling and to skive back down home to the Kingdom for some well-earned R&R.

After graduating from University College Dublin in 2006, Tom completed an equine surgical internship at Hagyards in Lexington, Kentucky, and a large animal surgical residency in the University of Wisconsin. He became a board recognised specialist in large animal surgery in 2012. Following a short stint in the University of Bern in Switzerland, Tom has been working in private practice as an equine surgeon in Ireland since 2012. Currently, he is working in Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital on the Curragh, with a focus on juvenile orthopaedics, fracture repair, and urogenital surgery.