Thal Equine Horse Veterinarian New Mexico Staff

Meet the Staff of Thal Equine

Dr. Doug Thal, Thal Equine Horse Vet New Mexico Douglas O. Thal, DVM
Dr. Douglas Thal, founder of Thal Equine, was raised on a ranch in north-central New Mexico, near Mora. He has had an interest in horses since childhood, with a special interest in training young ranch horses.

Dr. Thal graduated from Robertson High School in Las Vegas, New Mexico in 1984 and received his degree in biology and chemistry from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque in 1989. Upon graduation from the University of New Mexico, Dr. Thal attended the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Dr. Thal received his DVM degree in 1993 with an emphasis on equine and large animal medicine and surgery.

Dr. Thal was the resident intern at Littleton Large Animal Clinic in Littleton, Colorado. During this time, he experienced the heavy equine caseload of the largest horse hospital in the Rocky Mountain states, while gaining the experience that would provide the basis for his current practice. Littleton is most well known for in-depth and precise lameness diagnosis. Dr. Thal has maintained a keen interest in that area.

Dr. Thal started this practice from the Mora area in February 1997 as Sangre de Cristo Equine Services. He has a love for the unique land and people of the region. From the start his goal has been to provide more thorough equine veterinary services for horse owners of the area.

Dr. Thal continues to enjoy all aspects of equine veterinary care. He has a special interest in lameness, surgery and dentistry.

Left, Dr. Thal enjoying a ride on his new property in Santa Fe.

Dr. David Manuelito

Dr. David Manuelito joined Thal Equine as a veterinary intern in June 2008. Dr. Manuelito graduated from the Colorado State University School of Veterinary Medicine in May, 2008. He is a native New Mexican, born and raised in the 4 Corners area on a ranch, and has worked with large animals since childhood.

Dr. Manuelito has an interest in developing his skills in all areas of equine practice. With the hospital and general practice caseload growing here, he will be immersed in all aspects of practice during the next year.

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Gilly Slayter

Gilly is a riding instructor and trainer, specializing in jumping and eventing. Her business, "Simply Three-Day" is based at Thal Equine.

Gilly also assists in the office, doing bookkeeping.

Click here to go to Gilly's web site.

Amy Schaefer

Amy is our most recent addition to the practice. She handles reception and is a veterinary assistant. Amy was raised in Colorado, but came to us from Oregon and Southern Utah where she worked as a veterinary technician in small animal practice and at Best Friends Animal Society.

Amy has also worked as field biologist in various areas of the country.

Aside from occasional rides when she was young Amy is new to horses and the horse community.

Brian Van der Wedge

Brian is a horseman and veterinary assistant at Thal Equine.

He is also a skilled mechanic and general repairman, and we keep him busy maintaining and repairing eveything that we break!

Ruth Bourgeois

Ruth Bourgeois began working for Thal Equine in Taos in 2001, working in all areas of the practice including the clinic, barn and front desk. She maintains the web site and assists with marketing and special events.

Ruth is the director of the Equine Spirit Sanctuary, located at the former Thal Equine hospital and clinic in Taos, New Mexico. Ruth has four horses - two that she raised from foals and two that were rescue horses. An avid trail rider, she spends as much time as she can out exploring the trails in the mountains around Taos. She also enjoys dressage and trains her trail horses with basic dressage work.

drthal@thalequine.com

Thal Equine web site by WebWorks of Taos