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Advantage Equine Veterinary Practice was founded in 2015 and services Australia's leading racing and performance horse stables. 

 
 

Based in Flemington, Australia, Advantage Equine actively services Flemington and other metropolitan and regional racetracks on a routine basis. Advantage Equine offers the latest advancements in equine veterinary care, provided ethically with the horses welfare in mind.  

In 2016, Advantage Equine purchased Epsom Veterinary Centre. We have been fortunate that Dr Rick Seth has remained on as a Consultant Veterinarian with Advantage Equine, bringing with him his wealth of knowledge and experience that he has acquired after joining this practice in 1978.

 

PARTNERS

 
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DR MAXINE BRAIN
BVSc(hons) MACVSc (Equine Medicine)

Maxine's passion for working and caring for horses started from a young age. Maxine graduated with honours from Melbourne University and went straight into private practice with an emphasis on harness racing horses, working alongside some of the best harness horses and trainers in Victoria and as an on course vet at Moonee Valley Racing Club.

Keen to improve her skills in equine medicine, Maxine undertook a position at Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital, where she gained a huge amount of experience in equine medicine, reproduction, anaesthesia and lameness diagnosis as well undertaking an externship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington Kentucky.

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Following this position, Maxine worked with Dr Ross Teitzel and David McKellar in Flemington, where she developed a real passion for the racing thoroughbred.

In 2000, Maxine decided to branch out on her own and opened up her own business in Kilmore doing solely equine work; work which encompassed every aspect of equine medicine, reproduction and surgery. She continued to work part time in Flemington as well as service many of the racehorse and standardbred trainers in the Kilmore and Seymour area. The business rapidly expanded, employing up to five veterinarians and culminating in winning the Mitchell Shire Business of the Year in 2008.

In 2015, the opportunity arose for her to follow her heart and start up Advantage Equine in Flemington where she could concentrate her efforts on racing thoroughbreds.

Despite spending so many hours working as a vet and mother of two children, Maxine has also managed to complete a Diploma in Animal Chiropractic and Post grad Foundation course in Equine Surgery. She is currently the vice chair person of Kilmore Racing, an advisor to the integrity council for Harness Racing Victoria and writes veterinary articles for the Equestrian Life magazine.

 
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DR STUART VALLANCE
BVSc(hons) Dip.ACVS (Specialist Equine Surgeon)

Stuart is a registered specialist in Equine Surgery, and during his 20 years of professional development and working in the equine industry he has developed extensive experience in the diagnosis and treatment of horses.

Stuart grew up with horses on his family’s sheep and cattle farm near Ballarat, Victoria. He studied veterinary science at the University of Melbourne and graduated with first class honors. He then moved to Sydney to undertake an internship at Randwick Equine Centre. Following this, Stuart moved to the northern hemisphere, and worked as an ambulatory race and sport horse veterinarian in Surrey, United Kingdom.

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In 2008, Stuart began his specialist training in equine surgery at the University of California, Davis, USA, which is currently ranked Number 1 Veterinary School in the USA. During this time Stuart pursued his interest in orthopedics and advanced imaging and published 10 peer reviewed scientific publications on scapular fractures in racehorses, haemarthrosis (joint bleeding), superficial digital flexor tendinopathy and comparative imaging using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Stuart returned to Flemington in 2011 and has worked alongside Australia’s leading racehorse stables. He has been involved with the surgical consultation and treatment of many horses that have returned to their peak performance. Stuart is available for lameness, over-ground endoscopy, imaging (including yearling x-ray) or surgical consultations, as well as orthopedic, respiratory and general surgical procedures.

 
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DR EMMA WOOD
BSc BVMS

Emma has been a passionate and competitive equine enthusiast since the age of 6. She was an avid event rider until the addiction of horse racing took over. She began her career in racing at 17 and has been involved with the industry ever since. Amongst the array of racing experience she has held assistant trainers positions both in England and Melbourne gaining a wealth of knowledge of the equine athlete and international industry complexities. Emma has ridden track work for 20+ years and has a unique perspective on common ailments affecting the racing thoroughbred.

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After completing her veterinary degree at Murdoch University as a mature age student she was immediately drawn to racetrack practice. While coupling track work with veterinary duties Emma has a rare understanding of the intricacies involved in getting a horse to the races and performing at its peak.

During 2016-2017 Emma visited the USA on 4 occasions to complete her international certificate in veterinary acupuncture. Emma uses these skills to enhance her diagnostic ability and treat the equine athlete. Emma also wishes to become a helicopter pilot in her spare time!

 

DR JASON SHADUR
BVSc

Jason joined Advantage Equine in 2020. Jason soon stamped himself as an integral part of Advantages Equine team, heading up our Cranbourne branch. He joined the partnership in 2023. Jason has an excellent work ethic and is always available for his trainers and horses under his care. Jason has an excellent grasp on the daily management of the Thoroughbred racehorse, including lameness, imaging, endoscopy and poor performance work-ups.

 
 
 

ASSOCIATES

 
 

DR LOUISE COMBER
DVM

Louise joined our Cranbourne and Mornington Peninsula team in July 2022. She has an extensive background in Thoroughbred racetrack and stud veterinary nursing and management. Louise graduated from Charles Sturt University in 2022 and is looking forward to combining all her skills as a veterinarian.

 

DR ANNABELLE CAMPBELL
BVSc

Annabelle graduated from Murdoch University in 2019 and then undertook an internship at Ascot Equine Clinic in Perth. She excelled in that roll and was offered to stay on at that practice as an associate Veterinarian. In 2023, Annabelle decided the east was calling and a phone call from Dr Pete Harding to Stuart convinced him that Advantage Equine needed another vet (“employ Annabelle, you won’t regret it”). Annabelle has a broad skill set for racetrack and pleasure horse practice, with skills in lameness, medicine, surgery and reproduction.

 

INTERN

 
 
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2019 - Dr Nicole Weddler. Stayed on as associate.

2021-2022 - Dr Joel Hummell. Joined Ballarat Veterinary Practice as associate.

 

STAFF

 
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CHRISTINE BROWN

We have been fortunate that Christine joined Advantage Equine in 2016.  Christine has worked for Epsom Veterinary Centre for 24 years and brings her extensive knowledge and experience of the equine veterinary industry to our office.  Christine runs the office and accounts departments.

 

STACEY LAWRENCE

Stacey joined Advantage Equine in 2023. Stacey has extensive experience working in the Thoroughbred racing industry. Stacey is a skilled horsewoman and she is often assists in the Flemington stables or with yearling survey radiographs. Stacey is also an integral part of administrative team.

BREE ALLWOOD

Bree joined Advantage Equine in 2024. Bree is part of our administrative team and integral to stock control. You may recognise Bree from her former life of strapping the grey flash “Chautauqua”.

Digital X-ray

Our practice utilises the latest Canon sensor panels that obtain ‘state-of-the-art’ images of the head and skeleton.

In conjunction with our expertise in the management of racehorses in training, we provide comprehensive evaluations and recommendations on Yearling Repository radiographs.

ECG

We can perform (electrocardiography) examinations of horses at the rest and at the gallop. This technique is typically used for horses with abnormal heart rhythms and in poor-performance examinations.

Endoscopy

Our practice has video and cordless endoscopy systems that allow the diagnosis of upper airway conditions and the stomach (gastroscopy).

Lameness Examinations

Our vets are skilled in utilising and interpreting the results from clinical and nerve block tests to locate and direct a diagnostic and treatment plan.

 Emma is a very proficient track-rider, and in select cases may ride a horse to elicit a diagnosis.

Overground Endoscopy

We have an overground (dynamic) endoscope that allows the diagnosis of upper airway conditions that are causing noise or poor performance at the gallop/exercise that cannot be fully evaluated at rest.  This can be performed under saddle, tack or treadmill exercise conditions.

Pre-purchase Examinations

Varying degrees of pre-purchase examinations can be performed, ranging from a basic evaluation for racing soundness, to more thorough examinations involving endoscopy, digital radiographs, ultrasound and blood testing.  Our consultant, Dr Rick Selth, has vast experience in performing Hong Kong examinations.

 

Quarantine

Our practice is authorised to enter and treat horses travelling to compete in Australia’s racing carnivals.

Referral

Stuart has a working relationship with The University of Melbourne, and thus has access to Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), nuclear scintigraphy (bone scan), and registered specialists in other veterinary fields (ie. Equine Medicine, Anaesthesia, Radiology, Ophthalmology, Dermatology).  We are happy to discuss referral and consultation with other specialists when this will result in the best outcome for the patient.

Regenerative Medicine

We have access to the latest regenerative medicine techniques including IRAP, PRP and stem cell therapy.

Shockwave

We have focused and radial shockwave machines that can target and improve the prognosis of numerous bone and soft tissue lesions (ie. suspensory desmitis, back pain and muscle soreness).

Surgery

Many routine surgeries (ie. castration, wound, third eyelid removal) are performed in the field.

Stuart is a registered specialist in Equine Surgery and is available for orthopedic, respiratory and general surgical consultation or procedures.

Ultrasound

Our vets carry portable ultrasound machines that allow diagnosis of tendon, abdominal, thoracic or musculoskeletal lesions in the field.

These images are stored digitally.

 
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Contact us


PO BOX 52
Ascot Vale VIC 3032
Australia

+61 (0) 3 9376 3942

equinevet@advantageequine.com.au