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Bluegrass veterinarian

by Pedro Ledesma III
Working with heavy and sometimes stubborn horses every day is physically taxing work that requires as much kindness and gentle touch as brute strength. Many of Justin's clients, including Glenda Mayhorn, trust him with their precious animals. Glenda has owned Dough Roller for 19 years.

Travis McVey enjoys the off-season of his equine veterinarian practice. While his work is still demanding and he is on-call at all hours of the day and night, he has a more leisurely schedule in the fall and winter,  which allows him to slow down and enjoy things like chatting with his clients. But his biggest joy – and what he misses most during the busy spring and summer seasons – is time with his wife and two little girls.

A veterinarian for 12 years, Travis opened his solo Bluegrass Equine Veterinary Services in early 2018. It serves several central Kentucky counties.

Travis grew up on his parents’ farm in Mt. Sterling. He and his older sister, Angela, and younger brother, Caleb, helped take care of the animals. When they needed more help they called in the local large-animal veterinarian, Dr. Frank Brown. Better known as Doc Brown, his visits inspired Travis to study veterinary medicine.

“He was one of my heroes. I really liked his converted SUV and all the tools it held,” Travis says.

After studying at Morehead State and then Auburn, Travis and his wife, Kristi, who grew up in the next county, returned to Travis’ hometown. Travis enjoys being around his extended family, all of whom have also settled in the area.

“My family is very close. We all get together at my parents’ house about once a week.”

For such a family man, this makes the busy equine veterinarian season even more difficult than the grueling hours and physical work.

“My girls have grown up so fast, so it’s hard not being able to see them much for five-six months during repro (foaling and breeding) season,” he says about Olivia Reese, 8, and Lucy Clay, 6. While he misses his time with his wife and daughters, he takes great care in his work, ensuring he does the job well for each client on each visit. 

Travis’ inspiration, Doc Brown, recently retired in his late 80s. Travis is quick to say he can’t see himself practicing that long because that’s not him. He’s looking forward to traveling and spending more time with his family.

In the meantime, with his romantic view of life as a veterinarian tempered by the reality of the demands and long hours of the profession, Travis’ work ethic and commitment to his clients and family continue to drive him.

As one would expect, Travis finds himself in situations on a daily basis that most people never experience. Here he is administering a liquid sedative to relax the horse before a routine dental procedure.
Travis visits with client and good friend Charlie DeAtley, a horse trainer at Stoner Ridge Farm in Paris, Kentucky. Many of his clients have also become his friends.
Dropping off and picking up his girls at school is one of the simple pleasures Travis misses most during the busy breeding season. During the five-to-six-month-long breeding season, Travis' days often start before the sun rises and end well into the late night. Hearing about his daughters' days at school is a treat for both Travis and his daughters, who share their day's events with enthusiasm.
The family Jack Russell, Prissy, and Travis' youngest daughter, Lucy Clay, welcome Travis home at the end of the day.
Travis and his wife, Kristi, find contentment as they watch their daughters Olivia Reese and Lucy Clay, play on their farm.
Even in the slow season, finding time as a couple is a treat. Kristi works as a nurse at Saint Joseph Hospital so with their two demanding, it's a blessing to have family around.
Travis often starts and ends his day with office work. When he's not visiting area farms to care for horses, there are always office tasks every business owner has to manage.