Meet The Starling Equine Vets Team
Grace Starling-Smith- Vet and Director
Grace graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2015 and began working as an ambulatory equine vet in Suffolk. Grace has a keen interest in lameness and poor performance and is currently completing a certificate in advanced veterinary practice on the subject. Grace has close relationships with several local equestrian professionals and sees the benefit of working closely with them to improve patient outcomes.
Grace is a strong advocate in equine welfare and sits on the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Trust committee which aims to improve welfare and education in the UK and abroad. Grace is very proud of the difference the Trust has made to equine welfare and carries that ethos into her day-to-day work.
Grace is a keen equestrian and has her own horse, Dermot, an overgrown warmblood who she has produced from a 3 year old and hopes to event, as well as Katkins, a rescued coblet, who is destined to be her daughter’s first pony.
Outside of work Grace will be found enjoying the Suffolk countryside with her family and dogs.
Laura Jolley- Office Manager and Vet Tech
With a passion for horses ignited in her early years, Laura embarked on her professional journey in the equine industry in 2001 after obtaining her BHS Level 3 qualification. Since that time, Laura has gained experience in many aspects of this diverse field. Her experience spans a wide range of equine disciplines, and her main interests are in Youngstock and rehabilitation.
As she looks to the future, Laura is excited to embark on a new journey with a dynamic team that shares her passion for equine care and welfare. Together, she aims to create a nurturing environment and further develop her and the team’s skills in a supportive atmosphere.
As Laura continues to grow both personally and professionally, she remains committed to her core values of horse welfare, ethical practice, and community engagement.
In Laura’s free time she enjoys spending time with her family and producing her daughter’s pony, Darcy, who they have had from a just-backed 5 year old.
Meet Our Trusted Partners
We have meticulously built a trusted network of equine professionals whom we have worked with throughout our career and who echo our ethos and approach to treating your horse. We have arranged with our trusted partners that we can perform joint assessments, treatments and rehabilitation plans together, allowing for seamless communication and better outcomes for your horse. There is no commission for this service or price change. We just want the best outcomes for our patients, and know this comes from working as a team.
Jim Hurden
Human, Canine & Equine Osteopath in Suffolk
Jim Hurden trained at the London School of Osteopathy, graduating with a Masters in Osteopathy (awarded Distinction). He went on to complete post graduate Animal Osteopathy training with Stuart McGregor, an acknowledged world authority on animal biomechanics and osteopathic treatment, at the Osteopathic Centre for Animals.
Jim was appointed as a registrant member to one of the committees of the General Osteopathic Council and has guest lectured at the London School of Osteopathy on Safeguarding and Professionalism within Osteopathic practice.
Jim has returned to the Osteopathic Centre for Animals and is now a Lecturer teaching animal osteopathic technique. Before practicing Osteopathy, Jim spent nearly 15 years in the emergency services and outside of practice is an active SCUBA diver and Climbing enthusiast; generally trying to spend as much time off dry land as he can!
Georgia “Gee” Simmons
Human, Canine & Equine Osteopath in Suffolk
In 2017 Georgia qualified with a Masters in Osteopathy from the European School of Osteopathy. Prior to starting the course Georgia had always wanted to work with animals with previous experience working with farm livestock, racing greyhounds and horses.
After three years of working in human practice Georgia has completed a post graduate course in animal osteopathy at the Osteopathic Centre for animals with Stuart McGregor. Here she obtained valuable knowledge and experience in equine biomechanics, anatomy and physiology as well as osteopathic technique. Georgia has an interest in the relationship between horse and rider biomechanics and see’s human and canine patients at our Needham Market Treatment Centre on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Georgia is a keen equestrian and has her own horse, a beautiful grey Irish Draught X called Haze who she hopes to event - as well as three Italian Spinones!
Juliet O’Brien
Equine Physiotherapist
Juliet qualified as a Human Physiotherapist in 2008 where she worked in a range of specialities within the NHS, including Orthopaedics, Critical Care, Elderly Care and Surgery to name a few. She worked in a Private Sports Injury Clinic whilst studying Veterinary Physiotherapy at the Royal Veterinary College and graduated in 2012. Juliet still works part time at the East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust within the Colchester Frailty Service but her main time is spent treating horses.
Prior to her Physio training, Juliet worked as a professional rider and groom. She has competed at Horse of the Year Show several times as well as looking after a wide variety of Horses, Ponies and Donkeys. When she graduated in 2012, Juliet spent five years working as part of a Physiotherapy team at Godolphin Stables in Newmarket as well as covering clients in Essex and Hertfordshire. She has since moved to Suffolk and covers all of Suffolk, North Essex and South Norfolk.
Juliet takes a keen interest in behaviour and empathetic communication to try and understand what the horses are trying to tell us through their behaviour and body language.
Juliet loves her job and especially working holistically as part of a team to achieve the best outcomes for horse and owner.
Paige Fleming
Equine Sports Therapist
Paige, the owner of H&R Sports Performance, is a human physiotherapist, equine sports therapist and rehabilitation. Equine sports therapy and rehabilitation is a practice that aims to improve the health and performance of horses through a series of physical therapy treatments, exercise programs and other techniques. Paige loves her job because she likes being able to help both the horse and rider and see their improvement, achieve their goals and help prevent injury. To book a consultation with Paige, contact her on hrsportsperformanceltd@gmail.com
Jenny James
JJ Eventing
Jenny James has been running Winston Hall Livery for over 10 yrs. Jenny has experience in backing all types of horses, from thoroughbreds to all-rounders to professional showjumpers and eventers. She also has experience in producing and riding more complex horses.
Jenny has produced her own horses from youngsters, and ridden some up to BE Intermediate level, whilst also competing other owners horses through the grassroots levels.
Jenny gets joy and is fully invested in people’s journeys with their horses and ponies, whether it be in finding their beloved four-legged friend a new best mate, or to help them build confidence and a partnership with new or tricky horses. Jenny also works closely with vets, physios, farriers, trainers during rehabilitation to get the combination of horse and rider back on track.
Jenny always sees the best in any horse or pony and never gives up on them. She truly believes, with time, patience & determination, in finding what buttons that makes a horse tick, and to then have the ability to change riding style and approach the horse will respond in kind.
Chloe Ellis
Chloe is a fully qualified and insured veterinary physiotherapist with a strong passion for enhancing all horses' performance, well-being, and longevity. Chloe first completed an undergraduate degree in Equine Psychology and Sports Science before achieving her MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy. Amongst general yard experience, during university, Chloe gained invaluable hands-on experience working at two thoroughbred retraining centres and a small event yard, which gave her a deep understanding of working with youngstock and thoroughbreds.
Chloe has always been fascinated by injury prevention and particularly enjoys the exercise prescription side of veterinary physiotherapy. Whether it’s helping a horse recover and return to work after an injury, or creating a conditioning plan to prevent future issues, Chloe takes pride in tailoring treatment plans to suit each horse’s unique needs. She also enjoy collaborating with owners, vets, and other equine professionals to ensure the best outcomes for her patients, and is committed to continually expanding her knowledge to provide the highest standard of care.
Julie Riches
Julie has worked and owned horses for 35 years and has had a varied career based around grooming. Jullie started as an event rider and groom, up to 2* and intermediate eventing herself, and grooming at top level events including Badminton. Julie has worked alongside top event riders and was able to gain a wide range of knowledge through constant training.
Julie then moved to a local dressage yard with a double Olympic rider and her love for dressage bloomed. Julie produced her own horse and rode up to Inter 1 level, and alongside this has riden some amazing horses. Julie has always been keen to watch and learn from everyone, and this is a fundamental part of how she trains today. Being a groom at big shows has given Julie insight into how horses move and what works, leading to her teaching style based on a great understanding of horse welfare and mechanics. Julie has been lucky to work alongside 7 Olympians and his has certainly rubbed off.
Tammy Ruffles
Tammy is a Dressage Rider, teacher and trainer who is very well known and respected throughout the equestrian world for her skill and dedication to her craft. A UKCC level 2 trainer, who has competed to Inter 1 on self-produced horses, Tammy has a wealth of competition and training experience.
Tammy runs and owns Sandale Livery, Training and Rehabilitation Yard in Laxfield, Suffolk, where her stud (TDR Dressage) is also based. The stud breeds a small number of warmbloods and sports ponies each year, all of whom have been highly commended at their respective futurities.
Tammy’s training and coaching focus’s on ensuring that both horse and rider are working as well as they possibly can, which a strong focus on biomechanics and strengthening and straightness. This helps both horse and rider remain healthy and strong.
Grace and Tammy have worked closely together on a number of rehabilitation cases, all of which have recovered from injuries far better than they would have with medical treatment alone.
Tammy enjoys watching partnerships grow in confidence and strength and does her job so well because she never stops believing in the horse’s ability.
Dawn Buckland
Equine Sports Massage and Human Remedial Sports Therapist
ESMA 3 currently upgrading to 4 and SMA 5 Registered
Dawn has been working as a therapist for 15 years and works with a variety of horses and ponies across disciplines. She trained with Mary Bromley, a well-respected physiotherapist and has worked with a multitude of highly regarded professionals. From supporting horses and ponies through their rehabilitation programs to general maintenance sessions, for show preparation and just to keep on top of health and comfort, Dawn loves to help any horse. She also is very familiar with assessing riders too and often combines treatment of both horse and rider within a session.
Green Pledge
Starling Equine Vets Ltd are aware of our environmental impact and will endeavour to practice in as sustainable manner as possible. In real terms this means: we will make green choices for the materials we use; we will reduce unnecessary journeys by carefully planning our diaries; we will reduce the amount of waste we produce; and we will recycle and reuse our waste material.
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