Introducing The Vets

Murray Shotter, BVSc, MRCVS

After graduating in 1987 from Massey University in New Zealand, Murray worked in several mixed animal practices before taking a position in an equine practice in Wellington.  From there Murray travelled to the UK to concentrate on Equine Sports Medicine before setting up Shotter & Byers Equine Veterinary Practice with Mike Byers.  Murray specialises in sports medicine lameness work.  This includes High Goal Polo Teams ranging from Gold Cup Winners PommeroyPolo, Lechuza Caracas and Azzura Polo as well as individual High Goal Players.  When not working, Murray competes in cycle road races and has just finished The Tour of Ireland at the beginning of May 2008.

Michael Byers, BVSc, MRCVS

Mike went to Rathkeale College in Masterton New Zealand and qualified from Massey University in 1987.  He worked in a mixed practice in Wellington New Zealand for about 3 years before travelling through Nepal, Thailand, India, China, and Malaysia arriving in the UK in 1991.  Mike then worked in Equine and some mixed practices for 2 years before once again travelling through Africa for 6 months showing his future wife New Zealand and Australia.  He then returned to the UK and worked in Equine practice for 3 years including considerable time in Russia demonstrating Western Equine Practices to post Soviet Russia.  In 1997, Murray Shotter and Mike set up in Equine Practice in Cranleigh.  Mike has developed a keen interest in thorough bred racing and eventing in the South East of England.  Any spare time not dealing with horses is spent with his two boys and coaching the under 7’s mini rugby.

Sarah Helm, BSc (HONS), BVSc MRCVS

Sarah completed an Animal Science Degree in 2000 with first class honours.  She then decided to attend Vet school at the University of Liverpool qualifying in 2005 with credits and a distinction grade.  While she was at vet school, she was awarded a prize in Large Animal Studies.  Sarah previously worked in small and mixed animal practice where she was the equine assistant.  She has recently taken a job with Shotter & Byers to further her equine expertise.  Sarah has a particular interest in wound healing and wound management.

Warren "Mitch" Mitchell, BSc, BVSc, MACVSc

Mitch grew up on a sheep and beef farm in New Zealand.  Mitch graduated from Massey University with a Science and Veterinary Degree in 1994.  His first veterinary job was doing mixed practice in Gore and after 2 ½ years it was time to travel.  He then worked in the UK for 1 ½ years in mixed practices followed by a 6 month cycle touring trip of South America.

It was then time to return to New Zealand for the birth of his first child.  Mitch then spent the next 8 years working in New Zealand of which the last 6 years were in an Equine Hospital in Matarata.  In 2005, he passed his Australian College Membership Exams in Equine Medicine.

Mitch and his wife and two children moved back to the UK in July 2008.  Mitch’s wife Debs is an eventer has brought her two event horses with her.  He thought he had a lot of baggage the first time he came to the UK, we think he has out done himself this time!  In his spare time, he enjoys playing the guitar and keeping fit by cycling and running.

We are happy to have Mitch join our team.

Nicole Larkin, BVSc MVS MACVS MRCVS 

Nicky  grew up in Aukland, New Zealand.   After graduating from Massey University, she worked in Cranbourne Equine Hospital in Melbourne Australia. 

In 1993, she was offered a position with the University of Melbourne in the Veterinary Clinical Centre.  While there, she had a teaching and clinical role in Equine Medicine and Surgery where she headed up the scintigraphy unit and supervised the installation of the gamma camera.

During this time, Nicole completed her Masters in Veterinary Science with her thesis being on bone response to exercise with research into shin soreness in two year old thoroughbreds.  She presented this thesis at conferences in Australia, Germany, France and New Zealand.

Following this, she worked for the Australian Equestrian Federation and Australian Olympic Committee as the treating vet for the Olympic Team.  After the Olympics, Nicole returned home and started North Harbour Equine Hospital in New Zealand where she employed 10 staff and had over 2000 clients.

In 2006, she sat membership exams in Equine Medicine for the Australian College of Veterinary Surgeons, receiving the Reginald Pascoe Medal of Excellence.

When Nicole is not working, she enjoys running and travelling.  She use to breed race horses in the past and is hoping to get back into doing that at some time. 

Nicole joined us in July 2008, and we welcome her to the team at Shotter & Byers.

Francisco “Fran” Tirado, BVSc MRCVS

Fran joined our team of vets October 1st 2009. He has moved over from Ireland with his wife and children. He is originally from Spain where he graduated vet school in 2002 and completed his first Intership in 2003 in Alicante, Spain.

He moved to Ireland and completed his second Internship at Troytown Equine Hospital from 2004-2006. Fran then returned to Cadiz, Spain 2007 where he had his own mobile Equine Clinic. As a family, they have decided to relocate to England. He has an interest in general equine health and a keen interest in equine polo/sport medicine.

Pedro A. Darder Cabrer, LMV, MRCVS

Pedro grew up in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. After graduating from Zaragoza University in 2004 he moved to Paris to follow a post-graduate equine training program at Maisons-Alfort University. In France he completed his first Internship in 2007 at the Equine Hospital of the University of Lyon. From there Pedro moved to Belgium and completed his second Internship at Dierenkliniek de Bosdreef from 2007-2008. Following this he has worked in an equine practice in Essex for the last year and a half.

Pedro has a particular interest in Lameness, Reproduction and Surgery. When not working, he enjoys trekking and mountaineering, travelling, playing tennis or watching football.

Leo Hirson, BSc(Hons) BVSC MRCVS

Leo qualified from Bristol University Veterinary School in June 2009 having obtained a second degree in Anatomy. He has spent the last year undertaking an internship at an Equine Hospital in York where his main interests lay in orthopaedics - diagnosing and treating lameness.

Having a strong equestrian background, he is a keen polo player and plays off a 0 goal handicap, has competed in show jumping at an international level, and has broke thoroughbred yearlings. In his spare time he is an experienced skier and snowboarder.

.Shotter & Byers
.Equine Veterinary Services
.Furzen Cottage, Furzen Lane,
.Walliswood, DorkingSurrey, RH5 5QE