Meet the team

Sandie Chambers - Equitherm Director of Training and Development.

Sandie Chambers has studied both Human and Equine sports science and has been the driving force behind Equitherm. Having spent almost her entire career in Equine sports and as seasoned Equestrian, places Sandie at the top in Equestrian Fitness and Performance. Sandie has managed some of Europes leading Equine & Leisure facilities and having trained horses for a number of International Show Jumpers and Dressage riders, has built up an impressive record and reputation for achieving exceptional results with clients and equine's from all sorts of competitive and non-competitive backgrounds.

Sandie initially trained in Equine thermograhty with definative experts Dr Tracy Turner and Dr Jim Waldsmith in California as well as advancing her knowledge with Andy Bathe of Rossdales and has continued support in the form of Dr Rachel Murray of the Animal health trust, she also holds a Level II certificate in Infrared thermography from the Infrared Institute and has conducted her own research using thermography, into the effects of training methods on the sport horse, the race horse in training, rehabilitation, maintainance of the equine, foot care and more. She has spent a number of years perfecting Equitherms training programme and has recently recruited individuals from the veterinary and Science field to complement the programme.

Sandie has been using Thermography for over 10 years and can not emphasis enough that a Thermologist should have a minimum of  two years experience at scanning before they can be classified as a Thermographer. It takes training, case studies and thousands of scans to be proficiant at thermography. Too often we see so called thermographers who have done a few days training course and start to scan horses. Themography has many elements to it that only experience can teach and it is with this in mind that Sandie and her team of vets and animal scientists have developed an ongoing training programme which will ensure that the Thermographer will be trained to a high standard and will produce trusted results.

Sandie continues to support the British Equine Federation providing research for the Worldclass Scientific advisory group. Sandie has developed a reputation as a worldleader in this technolgy and is consulted by numerous companies to provide them with research. Sandie has also built up a reputation as an expert Thermographer who's many years scanning has allowed her to develop training to the highest of standards and provide clients with a service that supports them and their vets. Sandie has worked with colleges and universities providing their students with the fundementals of thermography.

"Great sports performance comes from physical and mental preperation, the secret of winning is achieved through mind and body balance and focus, it's our aim to achieve great result for all our clients."
Sandie Chambers

You can contact Sandie by going to our contact us page on this site.

David Marlin - BSc (Hons) Biology & Phd - Equitherm Scientific Director

Dr David Marlin is a scientist with more than 20 years experience in physiology and biochemistry. His specialist areas include exercise physiology, respiratory and cardiovascular physiology and disease, thermoregulation, physiological measurement, imaging and diagnostic devices. He has worked with a variety of species including horses, dogs, cats and human subjects. One of David's highest profile projects was the research into the effects of heat and humidity in the lead up to the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games.

http://www.davidmarlin.co.uk/cv.html    |    http://www.sciencesupplements.co.uk/

Dr Rachel Murray - MA, VetMB, MS, Ph.D, Dip ACVS, Dip ECVS, MRCVS

Dr Rachel Murray is a veterinary surgeon with a particular interest in dressage horse injuries and performance. She is a Diplomate of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary Surgeons, and has led a number of studies investigating sport horse training, injury and performance. She has published over 100 articles on orthopaedic problems in horses and is invited to lecture worldwide.

Rachel graduated in veterinary medicine from the University of Cambridge, before specialising in equine surgery. She spent 5 years working in the USA at the University of Missouri and Kansas State University before returning to England to become the equine surgeon at the University of Cambridge, and subsequently completed a Ph.D. investigating exercise-associated joint adaptation and injury in horses. She has been based at the Animal Health Trust since 1997, where she is in charge of the Equine Magnetic Resonance Imaging diagnostic service, runs the orthopaedic research group and remains involved in the clinical activities. Her research and clinical work is centred around sport horse training, performance and injury development, and application of advanced imaging techniques in the diagnosis of orthopaedic injury. She also works for the British Equestrian Federation, providing scientific advice for the British Equestrian teams and as a veterinary surgeon and Assistant Team Vet with the World Class Dressage squads.

Rachel has ridden in a variety of equestrian sports, including competing to Grand Prix level in dressage and achieving a silver medal at the European student championships in 1985. She has also competed to International level in rowing and has considerable experience as a trainer/coach in rowing and riding. She is married to another vet, and they have two daughters also competing in dressage.

To contact Rachel please go to contact us

Andy is a lameness-specialist veterinarian with a specialty in consulting on obscure or subtle lamenesses. He is a partner in the practice of Rossdale and Partners in Newmarket, and head of their Equine Sports Injuries Clinic. Andy has joined H&E as our consultant veterinarian, his knowledge on veterinary medicine is second to none. Andy has been supporting our Equitherm team in their programme development and has also agreed to allow our students to conduct research at Rossdales under H&E supervision. We look forward to an enduring relationship with Andy and his team.

To contact Andy please refer to contact us.

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Jane Nixon and Stuart Hastie

Stewart Hastie graduated from Glasgow in 1944. He worked in general practice in Kent & Northampton before joining a one-man agricultural practice here in 1956. He quickly developed a thriving companion animal section (dog & cat in those days) and in the early sixties, began to species specialise in horse work, in which he was fully occupied 10 years later. It was here that Stewart's pioneering interest in the value of ethical co-operation with recognised complementary disciplines developed.

Stewart has always emphasised the value of animal husbandry and welfare. He has pursued the teaching of these through the Agricultural Training Board and colleges and later via the BHS Training Committee for Stable Management & Horsemastership. Stewart sat on the advisory committee of both Moreton Morrel and of Moulton Equine Studies courses and was awarded Honorary Fellowship of the Society of Master Saddlers in January 2007. He is the only vet to have received this prestigious award for contribution (vet input) to saddle fitting.

For 7 years he was Hon PRO and then Hon Secretary of BEVA. He was the first veterinary adviser to the National Riding for the Disabled. In partnership with Jane Nixon, he established Nixon Equine Veterinary Practice in 2005 with special interest in musculo-skeletal disorders and associated locomotion spinal problems as these affect athletic performance. Stuart is also equine adviser to Equine Affairs.

Stewart has helped Equitherm with their application for training with certain governing bodies and contines to do so.

Jane Nixon Jane Nixon qualified from Cambridge in 1978. Working initially in mixed practice, Jane developed the equine side of Stewart's practice before becoming principal partner of Nixon & Marshall in 1988. She formed Nixon Equine Vets dedicated equine practice with Stewart in 2005. With 25+ years experience, Jane's key interest is the performance horse. Involved in mare & stallion grading throughout the UK & Europe for 20 years, Jane is Consultant Veterinarian to the BEF Futurity Young Horse Evaluation Scheme and recently appeared on Horse & Country TV in this regard. Jane was recently voted onto the SHB GB Council.