Nixon Equine Vet Consultancy
Dr Jane Nixon MA Vet MB BSC MRCVS
With 40+ years’ experience and close involvement with both UK & European performance horse, mare & stallion gradings, Cambridge graduate Jane’s key interest is the performance horse and young horse development.
Awarded the BEF Medal of Honour
Jane has a wealth of knowledge in most areas of equine veterinary practice. In 2022 she was awarded the British Equestrian Medal of Honour at Badminton Horse Trials, for her outstanding services to the British Equestrian Federation, and its Member Bodies, in her role as BEF Director for Equine Development.
The BEF is the UK Olympic equestrian sports governing body.
Two Lifetimes of Experience
Jane's extensive equine veterinary knowledge was also enhanced by that of her late husband Stewart Hastie — a vet with 70+ years experience. Jane and Stewart opened a dedicated equine veterinary practice together in 2005. Author of the BHS Veterinary Manual, Stewart was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by BETA in 2013.
8 Years as BEF Director For Equine Development
- Representing the interests of British breeding + collaboration with British studbooks
- Supporting better breeding, production & management through knowledge sharing
- Making the best use of available data to promote appropriate breeding of horses and ponies
- Continuing to develop BEF Futurity + validate its predictions for high performance horses
- Reducing the gap between Futurity and the WCEP by establishing the Equine Bridge
- Establishing a development pathway for the recreational horse
- Promoting improved standards of biosecurity in the equine industry
- Supporting British Horse Industry Confederation and Equine Health and Welfare Strategy.
- On Horse & Country TV as Consultant Vet to the Futurity Young Horse Evaluation, Bridge & Pathway schemes
Expertise & Appointments
Jane has held, and continues to hold, several prestigious equine industry consultancy appointments & chairmanships, including:
- British Horse Foundation (BHF): In 2020 Jane was appointed Chair of the BHF — a registered UK charity whose mission is to advance equine breeding and welfare through research and education.
- Worshipful Company of Saddlers: Awarded Yeoman [Ambassador / Honorary Freeman] by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers in 2022
- British Equestrian Federation (BEF): The BEF is the NATIONAL governing body for the Olympic equestrian sports in the UK and affiliated to the FEI. Jane was a BEF Director for 8-years until 2020.
- The Showing Council: In 2021 Jane was appointed Chair of the Showing Council, an amalgamation of nineteen key showing bodies which came into being under the direction and guidance of the BEF.
- Federation Equestrian Internationale (FEI): Jane is a past official FEI Treating Vet + Veterinary Service Manager for International CDI Dressage run under FEI rules. The FEI is the International governing body for equestrian sport.
- British Breeding Futurity: Lead veterinarian and evaluating vet for British Breeding examining youngstock from foal to 3-YO re their suitability as future competition horses 2001 — 2022.
- BEF Bridge + Pathway Vet: Evaluating vet for the BEF Bridge Scheme for 4 year-old young horse development and 5 year-olds hoping to enter the BEF Equine Pathway and qualify for the World Class Programme.
- RCVS & Riding School Inspections: RCVS Riding Establishments Act Sub Committee 1994-1999 + Inspector County Council riding schools 1980 — 2024 re Riding Establishments Acts 1964 & 1970 examining riding schools.
- Sport Horse Breeding GB (SHBGB):Veterinary Consultant to SHBGB since 2009 + Consultant Vet to SHBGB Breed Committee and current President Elect — taking up post in December 2023.
jane @ nixonequinevetconsultancy.com.