In this episode, Fred Nostrant, DVM, shared his experience serving as a United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) team veterinarian. In his role, Nostrant acts as a liaison between the FEI and the U.S. team of horses and riders, traveling with the team to competitions around the world.
Nostrant shared his day-to-day competition routine, which includes performing daily examinations and attending every ride with the team coach. He described the travel arrangements for the horses, riders, and veterinary team and told a humorous story about overcoming the language barrier during his very first time as a team vet. With the help of Google Translate, he was finally able to gain entry to the showgrounds in Germany, but not until after a few moments of panic.
In closing, Nostrant described his favorite career memory, when he observed an immense convention center in Saudi Arabia transform into a world-class equine competition venue over four days for the World Cup, where 20 nations and 56 horses came together for two weeks. He said being a small part of the U.S. team’s success during that event was inspiring.
About Dr. Fred Nostrant
Fred Nostrant, DVM, grew up on a farm in Northern California, where he was involved in 4-H and his family’s Quarter Horse breeding operation. He became interested in equine veterinary medicine while attending Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. Nostrant graduated from Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine and completed an internship at an elite sport horse practice in Connecticut, where he focused on lameness and general medicine. Nostrant then started North Bridge Equine, where he focuses on diagnosing and treating complex lameness issues in equine athletes and helping both horse and rider meet their performance goals.
In 2018 and 2019, Nostrant was invited to serve as the team veterinarian for the USA Dressage European Young Rider Tour. In 2021, Nostrant served as team veterinarian for the USA Dressage Team at the World Equestrian Festival in Aachen, Germany. In 2024, Nostrant served as the veterinarian for Team USA at the World Cup Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Nostrant continues to support Team USA and USA Dressage by serving as a team veterinarian at several international events each year. In addition, Nostrant serves as a USEF official veterinarian at the USEF Festival of Champions at Lamplight Equestrian Center each year.
Nostrant lives on a farm in Concord, Massachusetts, with his wife, Erin Renfroe, an accomplished upper-level eventing rider and trainer. Along with their many horses on the farm, they have four dogs and three cats. Outside of veterinary medicine, Nostrant enjoys spending time on his tractor tending to the farm and working on his small collection of vintage Volkswagens. He is currently restoring a 1972 Super Beetle.
Related Reading
- Disease Du Jour: Young Thoroughbred Sales Work
- Disease Du Jour: Role of the FEI Endurance Veterinarian
- Disease Du Jour: Role of the Permitted Treating Veterinarian
Stay in the know! Sign up for EquiManagement’s FREE weekly newsletters to get the latest equine research, disease alerts, and vet practice updates delivered straight to your inbox.
