EquiVET Ireland
About Us
EquiVET Ireland was founded in 2008 by Marcus Swail who wanted to increase the focus on his interest in Sport Horse Medicine. JP King joined the practice in 2013 and became a partner in 2020. The practice focus has always been on equine athletes, including investigation and treatment of lameness and performance loss. Our equine patients represent all disciplines and all abilities - from Olympians to Cheltenham Festival winners to children's ponies.
The practice also performs many pre-purchase examinations, both for our domestic clients and for horses purchased by overseas clients for export.
Our veterinarians have extensive experience of the requirements of each sporting discipline and high quality imaging as part of the examination is a priority.
From the outset, working with Team Ireland Equestrian has formed part of the practice workload. Currently the practice is appointed as Team Ireland veterinarians managing the Irish equestrian teams across all disciplines from ponies right through to seniors.
The practice also has a significant thoroughbred caseload incorporating National Hunt and Flat racing yards together with sales work.
Meet The Team
Marcus Swail
BVMS CertEqSportsMed MRCVS
Having grown up in Darragh Cross, Co. Down, Marcus graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1993. Following spells working in the UK and Australia he returned to Ireland in 1998 and subsequently became a partner in Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital. Marcus set up EquiVET Ireland in 2008. He worked as Team Veterinarian for the Irish Showjumping and Eventing Teams between 2003-2013 and the Irish Showjumping, Eventing and Dressage teams from 2017 to the present time. During this time, he has attended four Olympic Games, three World Equestrian Games and multiple European Championships in Team Vet capacity.
Marcus has presented talks at conferences such as American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention(AAEP), British Equine Veterinary Association Annual Conference (BEVA), European Veterinary Conference 'Voorjaarsdagen' and Veterinary Sport Horse Conference , 'Jumping Amsterdam'. Marcus also completed a Graduate Certificate in Equine Sports Medicine from University College Dublin in 2018.
Marcus recently took on the role of president of the Irish Equine Veterinary Association (IEVA).
JP King
BVSc CertEqSportsMed MRCVS
JP grew up in Ballyward, Co. Down from where he developed a strong interest in National Hunt and Flat racing. He graduated from Liverpool University in 2010 before commencing an internship in Bell Equine Veterinary Hospital. Following this internship, he remained with Bell Equine in an ambulatory role before starting at EquiVET Ireland in 2013. He was appointed Team Veterinarian for the Irish Junior Eventing Team in 2015 and has subsequently expanded his Team Vet role to include the Irish Junior and Young Rider Eventing and Showjumping Teams. Since 2018, JP has undertaken Senior Team Vet positions in Showjumping, Eventing and Dressage including the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 as well as numerous 5* Nations Cup shows. He became a partner in EquiVET Ireland in 2020.
JP completed a Graduate Certificate in Equine Sports Medicine from University College Dublin in 2018.
Tim O'Hagan
BVSc CertAVP MRCVS
Tim grew up in Fethard, Co. Tipperary from where he started riding at a young age. He competed in many disciplines including Eventing to International level. Following graduation from Bristol University in 2016, Tim went on to complete a summer internship focusing on upper airway surgery in racehorses. He then moved to Walnut Hill Equine in England where he was involved with a large lameness and sports medicine caseload over the past five years. Having taken up a position at EquiVET Ireland in 2021, Tim was appointed as Team Veterinarian for the Irish Pony Showjumping, Eventing and Dressage Teams travelling to the European Championships in Strezgorm, Poland. Tim also worked as Team Veterinarian at the Senior Showjumping Nations Cup Final in Barcelona. In 2022, Tim took over the position as Team Veterinarian for the Irish Senior Eventing Team with his duties including the World Eventing Championships in Pratoni, Italy.
He is currently working towards his Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (Equine Lameness Diagnosis and Therapeutics).
Nick Connors
MVB
Nick originates from Dungarvan, Co. Waterford and comes from a family steeped in equestrianism. Initially from a sport horse background, the family production of top performance horses now also transcends firmly into racing too. An accomplished showjumper, Nick represented Ireland at Young Rider Europeans before progressing to compete all the way to 5* level.
He graduated from UCD in 2022 before undertaking an internship at Fethard Equine Hospital. With strong roots in both the sporthorse and thoroughbred sectors he has a deep understanding of performance horse management across the varied disciplines. We welcomed Nick to EquiVET in 2026.
Marie Yorke
Practice Manager
Marie grew up in Newtown Forbes, Co. Longford and rode from an early age. Early in her career, she spent some time at the Army Equitation School before pursuing professional grooming roles at top Showjumping stables both in the USA and Ireland. During this time, Marie groomed at senior Championships including Europeans and World Equestrian Games, as well as multiple 5* Nations Cup Shows. Marie took on the role of Practice Manager at EquiVET Ireland in 2017.
Jenny O'Connell
Veterinary Assistant
Jenny grew up in Aghabullogue, Co. Cork and competed extensively in Eventing up to Junior level. Following completion of her school studies, she spent a four-year period grooming in Eventing yards in both the UK and Ireland. From here, she had the opportunity to groom at 5* level including Badminton, Burghley and Pau, as well as various other International Events. Jenny joined EquiVET Ireland in 2014.
Katrina Dennison
Veterinary Assistant
Katrina grew up in Co. Waterford and competed to International level in Eventing. She gained extensive experience working within the industry, whilst grooming professionally in both the USA and Ireland. Having spent seven years grooming internationally in both Showjumping and Eventing yards, Katrina took up a position at EquiVET Ireland in 2018.
Sinead Corrigan
Veterinary Assistant
Sinead grew up in Tallaght, Co. Dublin. She completed RACE In 2014 before spending three years riding out for Michael Halford Racing in Kildare. Following this, she spent a four-year period working at Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital, before taking up a role at EquiVET Ireland in 2021.
Aileen O'Mahony
Veterinary Assistant
Aileen grew up in Bantry, Co. Cork in both a farming and equestrian background. Having evented up to International level she then spent considerable time producing thoroughbred yearlings for elite sales across Australia. Since returning to Ireland, Aileen has also gained clerical experience in small animal practice before joining EquiVET Ireland at the end of 2025.
Naoise Wilson
Veterinary Assistant
Naoise grew up in Gurteen, Co. Sligo and has been surrounded by horses her entire life. Having competed in Showjmping, she went on to become a professional showjumping groom for nine years. That career brought Naoise to the top 5* shows around the world including Championships and Nations Cup shows before joining EquiVET Ireland in 2025.
