Bruce Hebbert, DVM

* DVM- Texas A&M University 1990
* Internship- Humphrey, Giacopuzzi and Associates Equine Hospital, Somis, California 1990-1991

Professional interests- Lameness diagnosis and treatment in the performance horse

 Dr. Hebbert was raised on a cattle ranch in West Texas. He attended college at San Angelo State University and then attended veterinary school at Texas A&M, graduating Magna Cum Laude.  An internship was completed in Southern California where Dr. Hebbert remained for 3 years as an associate veterinarian.  He then returned to Texas as a race-track veterinarian at Trinity Meadows where he developed a strong interest in lameness diagnosis and treatment.  Dr. Hebbert joined Drs. Foland and Ritthaler to establish Weatherford Equine and currently serves as a partner in the practice. Bruce enjoys all aspects of big game and bird hunting, fly-fishing and team roping. Bruce has three great kids: Jake, Jade and Jace.

 

Justin Ritthaler, DVM

* DVM- Colorado State University 1999

Professional interests- Embryo transfer, lameness diagnosis and treatment, general practice

Dr. Ritthaler was raised in Wyoming as the son of a mixed animal veterinarian.  He attended college at University of Wyoming and then completed his veterinary degree at Colorado State University.  Dr. Ritthaler then joined Dr. Foland in the Weatherford area where he developed his expertise in treating performance horse issues and managing mares and stallions during the breeding season.  He and Dr. Foland joined Dr. Hebbert to establish Weatherford Equine.  Justin is proudly married to Dr. Heidi Ritthaler and has three daughters Regan, Alex & Kelsey. He enjoys big game and bird hunting and playing golf with guys like Bob Petersen when things are slow around the hospital.

 

Jeffrey Foland, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVS

* DVM- Kansas State University 1987
* Internship- Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center, Santa Ynez, California 1987-1988
* Residency- Colorado State University 1989-1992
* Master’s of Science Diploma- Colorado State University  1992
* Diplomate American College of Veterinary Surgeons, 1994

Professional interests - Colic surgery, orthopedic surgery, lameness diagnosis and treatment

Dr. Foland was raised on a cattle ranch in Southeastern Wyoming.  He attended college at the University of Wyoming and then earned his veterinary degree from Kansas State University. An internship was completed in the Santa Ynez Valley at the prestigious Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center where he remained on staff for an additional year.  Dr. Foland was accepted to residency at Colorado State University where he trained under the surgical expertise of Dr. Wayne McIlwraith.  Dr. Foland completed many break-through research projects including: the carpal chip model of osteoarthritis, analysis of the outcome of stifle OCD treated by arthroscopy, the effects of corticosteroids on arthritis and how horses recover after tendon injuries.  After residency Dr. Foland joined Dr. Jerry Black at Pioneer Equine Hospital in California as a staff surgeon. In 1997, he moved to Texas and established himself as a surgeon and lameness diagnostician.  Dr. Foland joined with Drs. Ritthaler and Hebbert to establish Weatherford Equine and currently serves as surgeon and partner in the practice. Jeff raises cutting horses with his wife Jennifer and also enjoys hunting and border collie training in his spare time.  Jeff and Jennifer have three wonderful kids: Jordann, Jennah and Jarrett.

 

Jason Walter, DVM

* DVM- The Ohio State University 2004
* Internship- Weatherford Equine Medical Center 2004-5

Professional interests- Advanced reproductive techniques such as embryo transfer and oocyte harvests, general practice, colic surgery

Dr. Walter was raised in Ohio.  He attended college at Miami of Ohio and then completed his veterinary degree at The Ohio State University. Dr. Walter then moved to Texas for internship at Weatherford Equine. He was asked to remain on staff after internship and has since developed a busy ambulatory practice with a specialty in advanced reproductive techniques.  Jason enjoys raising longhorns and playing hockey in his spare time.

 

1Matthew Noland, DVM

* DVM- University of Wisconsin 2006
* Internship- Weatherford Equine Medical Center 2006-2007

Professional interests-  Dentistry, general practice

Dr. Noland was raised in Kansas City and then moved to Wisconsin for high school. He attended the University of Wisconsin for veterinary school and then joined Weatherford Equine for his internship.  Dr. Noland was asked to remain on staff after internship and has since developed a steady ambulatory and hospital practice.  He has developed a special interest in dentistry and does a fantastic job helping our patients out in that area.  Matthew is married to Sandy Noland and enjoys outdoor activities such as rock climbing and helping out with his church.

Robert P. Franklin, DVM, Diplomate ACVIM

* DVM- Texas A&M University 1999
* Internship- Humphrey, Giacopuzzi and Associates Equine Hospital, Somis, Califorinia 1999-2000
* Residency- University of Florida 2000-2003
* Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine 2003
Professional interests- emergency and critical care, inflammatory airway disease

Dr. Rob Franklin grew up in the hill country northwest of San Antonio. After completing undergraduate school at Colorado State University he moved back to Texas for his veterinary education at Texas A&M, attaining his DVM in 1999. Dr. Franklin then moved to southern California to complete an equine internship in private practice.  From 2000-2003, he qualified as a specialist in internal medicine through a three year residency at the University of Florida. Following his residency, Dr. Franklin was employed by Angus McKinnon and the Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital in Australia for two years. Subsequently, he returned to the States accepting a position as chief of internal medicine at Equine Medical Center of Ocala, Florida.  Dr. Franklin returned to Texas in 2008 to join the staff at Weatherford Equine Medical Center. He attends to critically ill adults and neonates at the hospital as well as performs evaluations on horses suffering from performance limiting medical conditions.  He has authored many peer-reviewed articles which have been presented at veterinary conferences locally, nationally and internationally.  His knowledge also includes research experience in the fields of critical care, neonatology, neurology and cardiology.

Dr. Franklin serves as President of the Texas Equine Veterinary Association and is an Equitarian (supports equids in developing countries).  Rob is married to his high school sweetheart Laurie and they have two daughters Bree and Colbie.  Hobbies include saltwater fishing, golf, sailing and fine wine.

Paul N. Loe, DVM

*DVM – Ross University 2009
*Internship- Weatherford Equine 2009-2010

Professional interest - Podiatry, General practice

Dr. Loe attended Ross University and the University of Missouri for his veterinary studies. Paul performed farrier services in Parker county prior to enrolling in veterinary school. Since his internship, Paul has been instrumental in developing a first class podiatry service at Weatherford Equine. Dr Loe’s Farrier experience and medical knowledge allow him to address many complex issues in the horse’s foot. Our lameness experts rely on Paul’s ability to manage the shoeing aspect of a complete treatment plan for returning to soundness. Dr. Loe is available for farm based or hospital appointments.

 

Interns 2011-12

Dr. Ariel Womble, Florida

Dr. Chase Whitfield, Oklahoma State

Dr. Phillipe Manchon, Woop Woop, Outback, Queensland, Australia

Servicing some of the best Cutting, Rodeo, Reined Cowhorses & Reining Horses in the world