Colin Tait

BVMS Cert EP MRCVS

Equitait Veterinary Practice was founded in October 2009 by Colin Tait, BVMS MRCVS. Colin spent much of his time whilst growing up in the Borders on horse back competing in a number of disciplines. His passion for riding was a large influence on his decision to study veterinary science at the University of Glasgow.

For two years following graduation, Colin worked in mixed practice in the Midlands increasing his knowledge of all aspects of veterinary care, following which Colin spent a year travelling the world. To compliment his travels, Colin worked a calving season in Te Awamutu on the North Island of New Zealand and also an equine stud season in Victoria, Australia.

On his return to the UK, he worked at Cambridge University teaching theoretical and clinical skills to veterinary students, whilst being responsible for the clinical cases which were referred to the University.

Prior to setting up Equitait, Colin was a senior assistant at the Arundel Equine Veterinary Hospital, a 15 vet equine practice in West Sussex. Here, Colin, along with a busy ambulatory role, had managerial responsibilities within the hospital including a mentoring role for the intern, nursing staff and more junior veterinary surgeons.

In addition, Colin had a large workload of horses and donkeys, including large livery yards with some in excess of 170 horses, riding schools in excess of 50 horses and large racing yards. Colin was fortunate to work for a large range of clients from the pleasure horse rider through to international performance horse riders and racehorse trainers, giving Colin veterinary experience in all equine disciplines.

During his time at Arundel, Colin gained extensive experience working within the competitive sporting sector of the equine field and was a senior veterinary surgeon at a number of race courses, including Goodwood and also at the British Jumping Derby Meetings and the Longines Royal International Horse Shows at Hickstead.

In each of his equine roles, Colin developed strong relationships with other equine professionals such as farriers and physiotherapists and continues to promote the importance of such relationships in maintaining and improving the overall health and wellbeing of horses.

Colin has undertaken three trips to the Gambia, providing assistance to the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust. In the most recent two trips Colin organised and delivered an educational program designed to give Gambian students knowledge and experience of equine husbandry and treatment. Each trip involved the establishment of a number of local, mobile clinics, to ensure that the vets and para-vets available were able to provide the highest quality of provision possible in the circumstances to clients. To find out more about the superb work done by the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust for the people and animals of the Gambia, please visit their website, www.gambiahorseanddonkey.org.uk.

Colin is committed to continuing his equine veterinary education and is a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, the British Equine Veterinary Association, the British Veterinary Association and the British Horse Society.
When deciding to set up Equitait, Colin was keen to return to his roots and has settled with his wife in the Borders.

In 2012 Colin was selected to attend the London Olympics as a FEI treating veterinary surgeon where he was privileged to be able to spend 10 days on site at Greenwich Park.

Jill joined our team in May 2012.

Her lifelong love of horses was nurtured on the family farm in Morayshire and her childhood was filled with pony club, riding club and generally all things equestrian.

After graduating from the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh, Jill worked in a mixed practice in Banffshire, where she gained valuable experience with a busy and varied workload. However she was drawn to Perth, Australia where her partner was working. During her time in Australia Jill was fortunate enough to do three busy equine stud seasons and was the primary stud vet for some large Warmblood studs. She enjoyed close links with Murdoch University Veterinary School and was involved in the teaching of undergraduate veterinary students in equine reproduction. Jill was also a regular vet for the Western Australian Endurance Riding Association, and enjoyed the challenges of Endurance in a hot and dry climate.

She enjoys all aspects of equine practice but has a particular interest in stud and foal medicine as well as a developing interest in ophthalmology.
Jill recently got married, and has set up home in Stow with her husband, Fraser, labrador Inca and thoroughbred Bamboo.

At Equitait we are committed to continuity of care for you and your horses – Jill and Colin discuss the on-going cases on a daily basis so both are up to speed with all our clients’ needs, giving you the advantage of the combined experience, knowledge and input of two solely equine vets. 

Jill is living near Stow which, as we continue to grow helps to ensure we can service our clients as efficiently as possible and should halve our response time to the areas around Midlothian and Innerleithen as well as having good access to the rest of our practice area.

Equitait welcomed Mary to the veterinary team in May 2015

Mary has been heavily involved with horses from a young age having evented her own horse as well as working in a racing yard throughout school and university; it is this love of equestrian that pushed her into equine practice. After graduating from Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh in 2010, Mary first worked in a mixed practice in Cumbria before moving to a busy equine practice in Lancashire where she was kept busy with both ambulatory and hospital work seeing all types of horses from pony club ponies to broodmares.

Mary is returning to her Scottish homeland and will be assisted by her border terrier, Pippit as they travel around the Borders and Lothians.