Hiho, In Conversation With: Meg Chorley, Equine Vet.
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As we find ourselves in the midst of show and eventing season, we want to take a moment to celebrate those behind the scenes who help to keep our horses in tip top condition.
The people on the end of the phone day or night, with calm and reassuring words and a drive to keep our four-legged friends in the best health possible.
It is of course, The Equine Vet.
This Sunday we're chatting to one of these amazing people.
Introducing Meg Chorley, an Equine Vet based here in Somerset.
Grab a cup of tea, a cheeky biscuit and sit down with us as we chat all things inspiration, realities of life, kids, horses and juggling an all hours job.
Without further ado,
let's get In Conversation with Meg...
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Hiho, In Conversation with Meg Chorley
Meg, tell us a bit about yourself - what do you do, where are you from?
I am an equine vet from Somerset. I have always lived in Somerset other than when at University. I am very family oriented so as soon as I graduated I headed home. I now have my own little family (husband, son, dog and 2 ponies) and we have recently completed a self-build home as close to the family farm as I could get it.
At what age did you get into riding, where did your love for horses come from?
I started riding at age 7. My parents were given a very cheeky little Welsh A rescue pony and despite the fact that he used to put me on the floor quite regularly I loved him to bits. I'm not sure where my love for horses came from, my Dad rode as a child but only as a means to count the cattle - not for the love of it! My Nan rode too but she had given up horses until we were given our first pony, then she got back into riding again.
Tell us about the horses you currently have and what makes them special to you?
I have a Quantock pony called Glen who I have owned since he was rounded up off the hills as a foal and he has a cheeky little Welsh A companion pony called Frank. Glen is special to me because he has challenged me on so many levels; he is a complex case from a veterinary perspective and is challenging to ride, but he is the most loving little horse and he has sparked my interest in learning more about equine behaviour. Frank is special to me because he reminds me of my first pony, he is always up to mischief and he can be very naughty but he is really good with children on the ground.
What does a typical day look like for you when you're juggling being a vet, a mum and riding?
I try to get my horses done early before my son wakes up so that when I come back in we can have breakfast as a family. Then it's off to work which can be a day of routine vaccines, teeth, bloods etc or may be working up cases with lameness or poor performance issues. There is often an emergency thrown in somewhere which may be a colic or a wound to see. You never quite know what you are going to see as an equine vet out on the road all day. When I get home I either have tea with my family and put my son to bed before heading out to sort my horses for the night or I quickly sort the horses first. It's a real juggling act making time for family and horses alongside working full time as an equine vet and it is a balance I am constantly struggling to get right.
Studying to be a vet is a huge commitment and achievement, what has been your proudest moment so far?
Graduating alongside a great group of friends who are always really supportive of each other. I didn't have a straightforward start to my veterinary education as I really struggled with Chemistry and didn't have the right support network in my first year at uni. I didn't give up and I had a break before restarting my first year with the next cohort, that's where I met the great group of friends I have now, two of which were my bridesmaids and I couldn't be prouder to have graduated alongside them.
When you're not working, how do you like to spend your spare time?
Out in the countryside with my family (both 4 legged and 2 legged). I love exploring with my little family whether that be with me on horseback or on foot. We love walking on the Quantock hills and going to the beach. My husband doesn't ride so he is always on foot but sometimes he has our son in a carrier and I ride Glen.
What is your ultimate Hiho love, and why?
I don't have my ears pierced and I don't like wearing rings so I am a necklace and bracelet person. I love the Cherry Roller Snaffle Bracelets and Necklaces and appreciate the choice of colour and style variants Hiho allows us equestrians to have.
Is there a lesson horses or your job have taught you that will stay with you for life?
You will be forever learning and adapting with both horses and a veterinary career. When you think you have mastered something, along comes another horse to challenge you and teach you something new.
If you could give one piece of advice to other budding equine vets, what would it be?
Surround yourself with supportive colleagues.
Thank you so much for chatting with us Meg, we have loved getting to know you, your horses and hear about just what it takes to be an equine vet.
We hope you all enjoyed getting to know Meg too, and that any aspiring vets have found a little inspiration in this Sunday's email.
'Hiho, In Conversation with...' will be returning next month with another fantastic member of our equestrian community.
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Team Hiho xx
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