Dr. Robin E. Smith:

"Dr. Robin", as she is affectionately called, was born and raised in Charlotte, NC.  She attended North Carolina State University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Animal Science, and her Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine.  She has over 29 years of clinical private practice experience.   

She is a lifelong equestrian, with over 50 years of personal equestrian experience.  She took lessons and learned to ride at a very young age, at one of the most well known local Hunter/Jumper stables. (Cedarhill Farm with Nora Cooke)  Her equestrian career carried her to numerous local and state year-end awards and provided invaluable "real life" horse experience.

Horses are her passion and as such, give her a unique perspective as an Equine Practitioner.  She can approach a problem from the veterinary perspective as well as that of a "horsewoman".  Those qualities endear her to her clients and are what sets her apart from other large animal practitioners.
 
She is quite knowledgeable and well versed in many different equestrian disciplines besides her first love (Jumpers).  She regularly attends continuing education meetings across the country to stay abreast of the ever changing world of equine medicine.  She also takes advantage of the equine rich area she is located in and, when her schedule allows, can be seen spectating at many local competitions and events.  She considers the best classroom to be "out in the field" and takes advantage of any opportunity to see her patients doing what they do best.

She has developed a special area of interest in the field of podiatry and the relationship of "form to function" with regard to shoeing and/or lameness problems of performance horses.  She credits her interest in "feet" to her mentor, Dr. Dick Mansmann, of NCSU-CVM, and feels blessed to have studied under him while she was in veterinary school.  "No foot, no horse" is one of the many gems he taught that carries over into her practice today.  She believes strongly that every member of a horse's team is equally important - from owner, to trainer, to rider, to groom, to farrier, to veterinarian.  She welcomes and integrates an open dialog between "team members" so that everyone is heard and information can be freely exchanged.   

Dr. Robin was honored to be invited to participate as a sponsor and presenting clinician in Lynn Palm's inaugural 2007 Women LUV Horses expo, held at the Cabarrus Arena and Events Center in Concord, NC.  She currently serves on the Board of Directors for Carolina Equine Rescue and Assistance (CERA) in Union County, and is an advisory board member for Wings of Eagles Ranch in Cabarrus County and Bit of Hope Ranch in Gaston County.