Mitch Taylor has taken on a new challenge as chief of orthopedic podiatry at the Al Shaqab Equine Veterinary Medical Center (EVMC) in Doha, Qatar.

The facility opened in November and includes a veterinary hospital, an accredited veterinary diagnostic laboratory and clinical research laboratory. It also features two operating theatres, a farrier shop and an all-hours intensive care unit, according to a press release.

“I can’t explain how incredible the facilities are here,” Taylor says. “The EVMC is a world class equine hospital that no expense was spared in building it.”

Taylor’s scope of work in the role is unique, he says. The International Horseshoeing Hall Of Famer works alongside veterinary surgeons and imaging staff with all of the podiatry cases that come into the hospital from within the Al Shaqab facility and out.

“I see Arabian endurance horses, warmblood jumpers, foals, mares and stallions and any of the show horses that have problems,” Taylor says.

He’s also the chief farrier to the facility’s more than 750 horses, supervising five other farriers. At Al Shaqab, there are three shoeing shops in addition to Taylor’s podiatry facility within the hospital.

Taylor’s role is also educational. He organizes local and international equine foot health education opportunities, including a 3-day farrier conference that will take place in May.

The conference’s speakers will include Jenny Hagen, International Horseshoeing Hall Of Fame member Simon Curtis and International Equine Veterinarian Hall Of Fame members Renate Weller and Hans Castelijns.

Later this year, Taylor will develop a curriculum and standards for the EVMC to train professional farriers within the region.