Experienced, down-to-earth equine care.
Mairi and Steffi have been friends since Steffi first moved to Aberdeenshire, and quickly realised they share the same values and work very well together. When the opportunity arose to take this partnership and develop it into the type of practice they had each dreamed of owning, naturally they both jumped at it.
Bennachie Equine Vets was born out of a desire to have a practice where vets and clients truly know, trust and value each other, and come together as a community to give the best to each and every horse. As horse owners ourselves, we know how much they mean to you, whether they are making your competition dreams come true, enjoying a relaxed hack, or frisking you for treats.
With over 25 years of equine veterinary experience between them, Mairi and Steffi bring a knowledgeable, consistent, and relationship-led approach to looking after your horse, pony or donkey.
Meet your vets...
Mairi Sinclair – BVM&S MRCVS
Practice Owner and Equine Vet
As an Aberdeenshire native, Mairi spent her younger years enjoying riding and competing her ponies and horses, before heading to Edinburgh to study at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Following graduation in 2012, Mairi worked in a mixed practice in Newcastle for a year, but the Aberdeenshire countryside was calling, and she returned to the area in 2013 to work in equine practice.
Mairi has over a decade of hands-on experience in caring for a wide range of patients, from happy hackers to competition horses, and everything in between. She loves being out on the road (often accompanied by her rescue dog Piglet), meeting patients and clients, whatever the circumstances.
Mairi enjoys all aspects of equine veterinary work, but particularly enjoys working with vet phobic horses, emergency cases and taking a practical approach to problem solving. She was delighted to be recognised as one of four vets on the shortlist for the Horse and Hound Equine Vet of the Year in 2020.
Outside of work, Mairi enjoys riding her horse Gracie, travelling with her partner David, and seeing friends and family.
Steffi Wood – MA VetMB CVLM MRCVS
Practice Owner and Equine Vet
Born and bred in Yorkshire, graduating from Cambridge Vet School in 2013, Steffi moved to Scotland in 2016 and has never looked back. After seven years in Edinburgh, many of them working at the Dick Vet Equine Practice, she ultimately moved with her family (and menagerie) to Aberdeenshire and is now firmly settled here.
Steffi loves the community aspect of first opinion work, and loves getting to know her clients and patients. Being a Yorkshire lass she is always happy for a cuppa tea and a blether! Clinically, she has a particular interest in lameness and is happiest when nearest the bits that kick (much to her husband’s dismay!).
As a side hustle, and because life isn’t busy enough with a young family, four horses, and cocker spaniel Betty, she also teaches from time to time at the SRUC Aberdeen Vet School and examines for the RCVS.
Why work with us?
Experienced, personal horse care across Aberdeenshire and the North-East of Scotland
Continuity that counts
As a small close-knit team, we really get to know you and your animal - from personality quirks to medical history, so you can feel confident in our care. Where possible we will aim to ensure you see your vet of choice.
Expertise you can rely on
With decades of experience in equine-only practice, we’re well-versed in all aspects of horse health. Whether routine preventative care, lameness or medical investigations, or emergency treatment, we've got you covered.
We speak from experience
We’ve mucked out in winter. We’ve waited on vet call-outs ourselves. We understand the worry, the work, and the love that goes into keeping horses. You won’t need to explain the obvious - we're on the same page.