Stuart Brown, a Lexington-based veterinarian, was named 2013 Friend of the University of Kentucky’s Ag Equine Programs during its Equine Science and Management reception Sept. 3 at Spindletop Hall.

Brown specializes in equine reproduction with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. He serves on the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s Equine Advisory Committee, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Advisory Committee and the Gluck Equine Research Foundation Board and has been an active advocate for UK’s equine programs for many years.

“While not a UK graduate, Stuart ‘sees blue’ when it comes to our equine programs. Not only does he believe that the University of Kentucky should be the epicenter of education, research and service for the equine industry, he actively works to make this vision a reality through his leadership, guidance and financial support,” said Marci Hicks, director of development for UK’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Brown’s nominator. “His involvement touches every element of our equine programs, from the undergraduate degree program, to the Gluck Equine Research Center, to multiple extracurricular equestrian teams.”

“Stuart is considered one of the best scientific minds among the internationally-distinguished local veterinary community. He is frequently asked to serve on review panels to select programs for research funding, and he provides scientific advice to equine researchers in the college. In his role as adviser to the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Foundation, he has provided comments and improvements to proposals that have resulted in more than $1 million for equine research at UK,” said Nancy Cox, associate dean for research in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station director. “He has impeccable scientific judgment and great ‘horse’ sense and has made a difference in so many ways.”

Brown joined Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in 1991. His practice primarily focuses on the areas of broodmare reproductive evaluations, purchase evaluations including radiographic and endoscopic examinations for horse sales at public auction, routine herd health preventative medicine, routine primary care and federally required testing for the international importation and exportation of horses. He is a Member at Hagyard and has served on its executive committee for the past 12 years, where he has been actively involved in the management and planning of this multi-disciplined practice. 

Brown earned his bachelor’s from Transylvania University and his doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Tuskegee University. He is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners, Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers’ Club, American Association of Equine Practitioners and the Society for Theriogenology.

“UK Ag Equine Programs is fortunate to have a number of individuals who are generous with their time and efforts, and we are especially grateful for Dr. Brown’s numerous contributions for many years. He works quietly behind the scenes, but his leadership has been instrumental in securing important research projects and in making beneficial industry contacts,” said Jill Stowe, director of UK Ag Equine Programs and associate professor in agricultural economics.

“Stuart has been the ideal utility player for so many milestones of UK Ag Equine Programs; as part of the committee that refocused the Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, then the one who found our excellent director candidate,” Cox said. “Most recently, Dr. Brown helped raise matching funds required to complete the Kentucky Equine Survey, singlehandedly bringing in at least $30,000 to the project, and notably and importantly helping these companies see how much economic analyses are needed to inform strategies for health products. He is one of a handful of trusted ‘go-to’ people we couldn’t function without.”

The Friend of UK Ag Equine Programs was created in 2005, when the program was called the Equine Initiative, to recognize a member of the public who had provided advocacy, funding or other extraordinary support for the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment’s equine programs or a college or university employee who had generated an exceptional relationship with stakeholders that manifested into a new program, new advocacy success or new resources for the program.

“Dr. Brown’s reputation in the veterinary and equine communities is that of a visionary, dedicated to improving the health of the horse as well as the soundness of the horse industry globally,” said Norm Luba, executive director of the North American Equine Ranching Information Council and chair of the College’s Equine Industry Advisory Committee. “The University of Kentucky is fortunate to have Dr. Brown’s wisdom in steering its equine programs to the forefront of worldwide recognition.”

Past Friends of UK’s Ag Equine Programs include Luba, Dan Rosenberg of Rosenberg Thoroughbred Consulting; Northern Kentucky county extension agent trio Don Sorrell of Campbell County, Dan Allen of Kenton County and Jerry Brown of Boone County; and David Switzer of Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Owners and Breeders Association.

For more information about UK’s Ag Equine Programs, visit www.ca.uky.edu/equine.