Robert M. Bowker, VMD, PhD
is professor emeritus of Neurobiology and Anatomy at the Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation Department at Michigan State University. As a research scientist and educator, Dr. Bowker has made significant contribution to understanding the dynamic and functional architecture of the equine foot, exploring areas not previously considered. He is an internationally recognized author, lecturer, and teacher with an extensive publication list of more than 150 publications.
In 2008, Dr. Bowker established the Michigan Equine Podiatry and Laminitis Research Center, where he continues to pursue collaborative research programs with experts from around the globe.
Kathleen Gustafson, PhD
is an NIH-funded research scientist who first viewed the recommendations of the ECIR Group with skepticism when her gelding developed Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS) and laminitis. The scientific and evidence-based approach impressed her so much that she became a group moderator, helping others to understand the importance of nutrition, diet, and exercise.
Dr. Gustafson has developed and maintained a forage database with several hundred forage samples and a 12-year database of repeated samples from the same fields. She has also lectured and published proceedings on the subject of equine obesity, inflammation, and the role of essential fatty acids as these pertain to EMS. Dr. Gustafson recently co-authored a publication with Eleanor Kellon, VMD, describing the relationship between equine hyperinsulinemia and hyperferritinemia, Possible Dysmetabolic Hyperferritinemia in Hyperinsulinemic Horses (2019). She currently serves as a Director and Research Advisor for the ECIR Group Inc.
Eleanor M. Kellon, VMD
has devoted decades to the study of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID)/Cushing's and Insulin Resistance (IR) in horses. As the owner of Equine Nutritional Solutions in Robesonia, PA, she is well known for her work with nutraceuticals for horses and is an authority on equine nutrition and conditions affecting performance horses. A best-selling author, Dr. Kellon is well known for her field trials breaking new ground.
Dr. Kellon’s professional meetings and publications have included the use of the herb Gynostemma pentaphyllum and the blue-green algae Spirulina platensis in the Horse and Iron Status in Hyperinsulinemic/Insulin Resistant Horses (European Equine Health and Nutrition Congress 2006) Dr. Kellon recently co-authored a publication with Kathleen Gustafson, PhD, describing the relationship between equine hyperinsulinemia and hyperferritinemia, Possible Dysmetabolic Hyperferritinemia in Hyperinsulinemic Horses (2019), and is a contributing author on laminitis and dietary therapy of insulin resistance in Care and Rehabilitation of the Equine Foot (Hoof Rehabilitation Publishing 2011), Equine Podiatry (WB Saunders Co, 2006). Since 2008, Dr. Kellon has seen over 5,000 students through her online nutrition and health courses. She is also Staff Veterinary Specialist for Uckele Health and Nutrition, and chief volunteer for the 12,000+ international member ECIR outreach group, and Veterinary Advisor to the ECIR Group nonprofit.
Since 2008, Dr. Kellon has seen over 5,000 students through her online nutrition and health courses. She is also Staff Veterinary Specialist for Uckele Health and Nutrition, the owner and chief volunteer for the 9,000+ international member ECIR outreach group, and Veterinary Advisor to the ECIR Group nonprofit.
Elaine Norton, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVIM-LA,
is a large-animal internist and post-doctoral associate. During her residency training, Dr. Norton completed her Masters degree at Auburn University, Alabama. Her project was focused on the identification of the genetic mutation in a horse with hemophilia A and determining whether the mutation was due to a de novo stochastic event or maternal inheritance. From this, Dr. Norton knew that she wanted to continue helping horses by researching complex genetic diseases. She completed her PhD at the University of Minnesota under the mentorship of Dr. Molly McCue, where her research focused on the evaluation of the underlying genetic risk factors and key gene-by-environment interactions in horses with Equine Metabolic Syndrome. She plans to establish an independent research program focused on the investigation of complex genetic traits in horses, with the goal of improving horse health and well-being.
Paige Poss, APF (Anatomy of the Equine)
In 1999, Ms. Poss’s journey into hoof care began with a laminitic and foundered horse. Trimming hooves sparked her intellectual and scientific curiosity. Her initial website, www.ironfreehoof.com, was started as a way to share her trimming knowledge and evolved as she became fascinated with anatomy. As an amateur anatomist and photographer, Ms. Poss has dissected hundreds of lower legs and documented her work as shown on her site, anatomy-of-the-equine.com. Her passions lie in creating images that teach, using easy-to-understand analogies to explain complex concepts.
As a member of the Pacific Hoof Care Practitioners, and the American Association of Professional Farriers, Ms. Poss has taught trimming techniques and anatomy around the country and internationally.
Shannon E. (Pratt) Phillips, MS, PhD, PAS.
A love of horses and science led Dr. Phillips to study equine nutrition and exercise physiology. In 2006, she joined the faculty at North Carolina State University, where she is currently a Professor of Equine Nutrition in the Department of Animal Science. Dr. Phillips is the director for the Distance Education Animal Science Programs, which includes the Master of Animal Science program, the only program of its kind in the U.S. Her field of research focuses on glucose metabolism, insulin resistance, and obesity in horses, as well as nutrient requirements of both equine and canine athletes.
Dr. Phillips has received numerous accolades for her teaching and research efforts, including The Equine Science Society and American Society of Animal Science Equine Science Award in 2019. A Past President of the American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition, Dr. Phillips is also member of the Equine Science Society, North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture, American Society of Animal Science, American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition and the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists, and is the current Secretary/Treasurer on the Board of Directors for the Equine Science Society. Dr. Phillips has numerous peer-reviewed papers, and has written two books and several book chapters, and hundreds of articles for popular press magazines.
Pete Ramey
began his farrier training in 1994 through a two-year local apprenticeship. He also shod his own herd (25 horses in work as mountain trail horses) before officially going into business in 1996. From the beginning, Mr. Ramey was inherently drawn to laminitis and caudal foot pain (navicular syndrome) cases, immersing himself in the study of rehabilitative trimming and shoeing techniques. But it wasn’t until 1998, when he began informal training with Cindy Sullivan, that things really started to fall into place. She introduced him to a whole-horse way of thinking about hoof problems. Over the course of the next two years, Mr. Ramey bought some 30 horses with hoof problems from the “killer pens” to advance his skills and give the horses a second chance. He became forever addicted to the study of equine soundness and rehabilitation.
Today, he specializes full-time in laminitis and caudal foot-pain cases. Aside from his local practice, he has traveled the world working on “hard cases” and teaching; writing numerous articles for magazines and for his website HoofRehab.com; produced a very popular series of instructional DVDs dedicated to the rehabilitation and prevention of hoof problems; assembled the instructional textbook Care and Rehabilitation of the Equine Foot; co-founded the American Hoof Association (AHA); and became the first farrier to be documented reversing coffin bone rotation and sinking in a peer-reviewed veterinary study. He lives in the Georgia mountains with the love of his life and four great kids.
