Meet the Team

The Vets

Alan Hough GPCertEq MVB MRCVS

Alan hails from Galway in Ireland and followed in his father’s footsteps to qualify as a veterinary surgeon from University College Dublin in 2005. After graduating, Alan worked in mixed practice for a few years before moving into equine practice where he has practiced ever since. He achieved a post-graduate certificate in equine practice in 2009.  Alan founded Celtic Equine Vets in 2010, with the vision of providing the highest quality of veterinary and dental care from the comfort of your horse’s stable. Recognition of his commitment to his patients and practice came in the form of being awarded ‘Practice of the Year’ at the Equine Business Awards in 2023. Alan enjoys the variety that ambulatory practice offers, but has specific interests in equine dentistry and reproduction. 

Outside of work, Alan enjoys spending time with his wife, Georgie, and their children, Tom, Gaby, Hettie and Alexander. Alan also enjoys walking their dog “Martha”, playing golf (badly) and spending time on the Solent water.

Chloe Casalis De Pury MA(Cantab) VetMB MRCVS

Chloe joined Celtic Equine in 2021, having worked in equine practice in Buckinghamshire and Nottinghamshire since qualifying from Cambridge University in 2011.  Chloe also spent four years managing the nutritional team at Dodson & Horrell and is one of only a handful of equine vets in the UK who are also nutritionists. Her nutritional work has seen her manage horses and studs throughout the UK and abroad, including Team GB, as well as lecturing internationally.
Alongside her passion for nutrition, Chloe also loves internal medicine and is happiest out on yards, scoping guttural pouches or scanning abdomens. She is currently finishing her advanced certificate in internal medicine.
Finally, Chloe is currently finishing her Masters in Equine Behaviour and will soon be a certified equine behaviourist. Her work with needle phobic horses has allowed many horses to be rehabilitated and successfully treated, creating lasting behaviour change and protecting both vets and owners.
 
You rarely see Chloe without faithful canine companion Moss in tow. Moss’ favourite pastime is a cuddle with a sedated horse (you have to see it to believe it!). Outside of work, Chloe is kept busy with two young children and her much-loved three horses. She is particularly excited about backing her youngster Indigo and has high hopes for his future eventing career!

Molly McClean DVM MRCVS

Molly graduated in 2022 from the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. After completing a two-year internship at Donnington Grove Equine Vets, she joined the team at Celtic Equine Vets.

Originally from Co. Louth, Ireland, Molly grew up in a family with an international sport horse and pony business, which inspired her keen interest in lameness and poor performance. Alongside her veterinary work, she is also a qualified equine chiropractor, offering a complementary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal issues.

Outside of work, Molly enjoys exploring the New Forest with her puggle, Elliot, and heading to the coast for bodyboarding whenever she can.

Stephanie Wescott BVSc CertAVP(Equine Dentistry) MRCVS

Originally from West Sussex, Steph completed her veterinary degree at the University of Liverpool in 2017. As a new graduate she worked in mixed practice in North Wales, before completing a six-month internship at Ashbrook Equine Hospital in Cheshire. Six months in Cheshire turned into nearly seven years, and during her time at Ashbrook Steph gained comprehensive experience in all aspects of equine veterinary practice; routine and emergency; on the road and in the hospital. Steph enjoys all aspects of veterinary work but particularly loves a day packed full of dental cases. After several years of study, she completed her Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice (CertAVP) in Equine Dentistry in 2024.

Outside of work, Steph enjoys riding and walking, and has two small terrier companions Connie and Peanut who often join her in the van. She is looking forward to exploring all that the New Forest has to offer, on horseback and on foot – but awaits with trepidation the arrival of the crab flies in the summer as neither she or her horse have ever experienced them before! 

The Office Team

Laura Russell
Practice Manager

Laura joined the practice in 2010 – in fact the first day Alan opened the business! As well as ensuring the smooth running of the practice, she has enjoyed watching the practice grow from just her and Alan to a great team of vets and support staff. 

Outside of work, Laura is married to her husband Matt and they have two children, Elly and Poppy. They have a small stud breeding Welsh Cobs and enjoy successfully showing them around the country. As well as the Welsh Cobs, they have a small herd of Dexter cows, an ever growing flock of sheep, a Bullmastiff called Maisie and a Jack Russell called Lolly who love nothing more than a forest or beach walk.

Sophie Budd
Office Manager

Sophie is our Office Manager and is also on charge of stock control. She has a wealth of veterinary office administration experience, having previously worked for a very busy veterinary referral centre prior to joining Celtic. Sophie lives locally and has a strong equestrian background. As well as having worked as an assistant manager at a local riding school, Sophie has a Connemara pony called Jasper, who she rides and competes in all disciplines. Sophie also has a springer spaniel, Luna, who is never far behind. Luna joins Sophie in the office each day and outside of work they love to explore new places, regularly off on adventures climbing mountains, surfing and discovering new trials to run together.

Ellen Smith
Office Administrator

Ellen has been a part of the office team since 2023 and is responsible for helping our clients with insurance claims in addition to helping with the day-to-day running of the practice. She is also the practices marketing and social media co-ordinator. Ellen has lived in the New Forest all of her life and has grown up surrounded by all things equine. Ellen has a New Forest Pony called Sam, who enjoys everything from hacking out to competing in all disciplines. She also has a working cocker spaniel called Ivy, who loves joining her out with the ponies or cuddling up on the sofa for an evening. Ellen is also a New Forest Young Commoner, owning a handful of the ponies that roam the New Forest and part of her free time is spent checking her forest stock & helping out at the drifts. 

Leanne White
Office Administrator

Leanne joined the practice in July 2023. Some of our clients may recognise her from her previous job working for a local feed merchant. 

Leanne has lived in the new forest all of her life and has had horses/ponies for most of her life. She owns a New Forest pony called Storm and a cat called Link. Outside of work Leanne is married to her husband, Damien, and has four children (Owen, Amy, Hugo and Phoebe). In her spare time, Leanne loves spending time with her family and animals, motor racing and ballroom dancing.