16/11/2025
Last week, I reached a personal milestone — 45 continuous years in veterinary practice, including 40 years of self-employment. It is therefore with mixed emotions of sadness and relief, that I announce my retirement from first opinion, on-call practice, effective 12 December 2025.
I will continue to contribute to the Otago racing and equestrian communities through my work as a part-time consultant, race-day veterinarian, and working with the New Zealand Horse Ambulance Trust. Originating in Mosgiel over sixteen years ago, New Zealand’s horse ambulance service is now acknowledged internationally for its work.
Another project I will have more time for is my Otago Equine Technical Rescue Project, a collaboration between the equine veterinary profession and local Fire & Emergency New Zealand crews. Its aim is to strengthen our collective response to emergencies involving horses — ensuring more positive outcomes when animals require rescuing and relocating from hazardous situations.
I encourage clients to begin transitioning their horses’ general veterinary care to other practices. I recommend Clutha Vets. They have a small equine team, many of whom live in and around Dunedin. They are experienced with all routine equine veterinary work, including dentals, wound management, lameness assessments and the medical management of colic cases. Like most smaller equine practices (mine included), they don’t offer colic surgery options; those cases will need to be referred for specialist surgical care. Importantly, they have vets available at all times for emergency call-outs.
I’ve had discussions with Dr Annie Jackson, their lead equine veterinarian; she assures me our clients will receive the same level of care that we have provided over the years. If they require my services from time to time, I will be available as a consultant, as well as making our hospital facility available, on an ‘as and when needed’ basis.
I had planned to transition the practice into the ownership of a younger, enthusiastic veterinarian. However, the uncertainty created by the government’s restructuring of AgResearch (now part of the Bioeconomy Science Institute), has put the future of their Invermay campus in doubt. If the site remains open and lease renewals continue past 2029, I hope to find a younger, enthusiastic veterinarian who will give the Otago Equine Hospital a new life.
For those who know me well, this decision may not come as a surprise. Since my knee injury in 2022, the physical demands of practice have become harder to ignore. The hardest part will be stepping back from the daily connections with my clients. As I approach my 70th birthday, I feel the timing is right.
To all who have supported my practice over the past four decades, I extend my deepest gratitude.
If I don't get the opportunity over the next few weeks to say it in person, thank you for your loyalty, trust, and the privilege of caring for your horses.
Pete Gillespie BVSC MANZCVS
