St David’s Farm & Equine Practice was originally part of the St David's Vet Group, based in Exeter, and one of the largest veterinary practices in the UK. The Equine practice was based in Langford outside Exeter, and was the first practice to offer Bone Scanning, and surgical facilities in the South of England. Bob Barker worked in this practice, alongside Don Attenburrow. The farm practice was based in Exeter, and George Gibson was the senior partner.
In 1996, Bob Barker, Alan Beynon and Richard Turner, left St David’s Vet Group, and formed St David’s Farm & Equine Practice. The business was based at Dart’s Farm, and grew until during the Foot and Mouth period, was employing over 50 vets across the UK. In 2002, following long discussions, the Practice moved to Nutwell Estate, to allow more development of facilities especially for the Equine division.
Nutwell Estate, with its long history, and beautiful setting, is undergoing a long - term development to offer a complete service to the horse owner in Devon. Paula and Nigel Lee have created an excellent cross-country course, and are now providing a base for recuperation of racehorses. St David's Equine Practice, (the Equine Division of the St David's Farm & Equine Practice) has expanded, and now offers a wide range of professional services, with physiotherapy, and corrective farriery on site.
A new Scintigraphy unit has been built, and with the help and backing of English Heritage, the old indoor riding school is being restored to accommodate an operating theatre, and base for the Practice. Bob Barker and Tony Kaye head up the Equine team, with Ben Crisp, Alison Butcher and Tony O’Loughlin. Clare Hawkins a fully qualified Veterinary nurse & in charge of the Equine office, and manages the wormer and vaccine services. Full integration with Paula’s yard team has helped ensure a smooth and problem free visit to the surgery. Bone scanning, Radiography, Endoscopy and Ultrasound scanning are all provided from the Nutwell base, finally, with her wide experience in horse veterinary care, Kerry Harrison oversees the marketing and site management.
The move to Nutwell Estate has opened a wide range of new services, and it is our vision to provide the only complete range of diagnostic and support services to Horses in the South West.