The American Association of Equine Practitioners has new leadership in its vice presidential role. Tracy Turner, DVM, is owner of Turner Equine Sports Medicine and Surgery in Stillwater, Minn., and has been appointed the 2023 vice president of the AAEP, the organization announced Wednesday. Turner will be installed during the November 21 President’s Luncheon at the AAEP’s 68th Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas, and will assume the role of AAEP president in 2025.

In 2016, Turner, DVM, MS, DACVS, DACVSMR, founded his practice where he concentrates exclusively on equine sports medicine, lameness and surgery. He previously spent 12 years with Anoka Equine Veterinary Services in Elk River, Minn., and served on the faculties at the University of Illinois, University of Florida and University of Minnesota. He received his veterinary degree from Colorado State University in 1978.

An AAEP member since 1986, Dr. Turner previously served on the board of directors from 2017–2019; as chair of the Farrier Liaison Committee; and as member of the Educational Programs and Student Relations committees as well as the Foundation Advisory Council. He currently chairs the Equine Disease Communication Center Advisory Committee. Turner was instrumental in creating the AAEP student chapter veterinary farrier short courses and laboratories, and he served as faculty advisor for the student chapter at the University of Minnesota.

“AAEP has not only been an avenue to give back to an industry that has given much to me, but it is also an organization that positively impacts all aspects of the equine industry worldwide,” says Turner. “It is an organization that one can go to meet, collaborate and exchange ideas with other practitioners that share the same passion: the horse.”

Beyond his daily practice, Turner is an Equitarian Initiative volunteer, delivering medical care to working equids and education to students and caretakers in the developing world. He serves as an Examining Veterinarian for Fédération Equestre Internationale for show jumping and has consulted in the past for U.S. Equestrian Federation and USDA APHIS Horse Protection Program for Tennessee Walking Horse welfare.

Turner has served on the Minnesota Horse Council board of directors since 2002, including several terms as president, and currently chairs the Legislative and Welfare committees. He is also a past president of the Minnesota Association of Equine Practitioners and received induction into the International Equine Veterinarian Hall of Fame in 2004 for his contributions to the knowledge and recognition of proper hoof care for horses. Turner is heavily involved with continuing education for equine industry members and enthusiasts, and he frequently presents his work and he is a published author.

The AAEP, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

Learn more

• Diagnosing Navicular Syndrome: Navicular syndrome is a common cause of lameness in the horse. This problem may account for 1/3 of all chronic lameness. Unfortunately, navicular syndrome remains only loosely defined.
• AFA Convention-Goers Get The Low-Down on Palmar Foot Pain: Tracy Turner is well qualified to speak on the importance of cooperation between farriers and equine veterinarians.
• Equitarian Initiative Raising Money To Help Young Vet: In its continuing effort to improve the health of working equids, the Equitarian Initiative is raising money to help send a young Honduran veterinarian to learn farriery at a United States shoeing school.