Hall of Fame Inductee, 2023
Standardbred Builder
The late Dr. Lloyd Salem McKibbin, DVM is considered a pioneer in the advancement of equine veterinary medicine. Born in Ingersoll, Ontario, the renowned veterinarian was an innovator, teacher, and author.
A graduate of the Ontario Veterinary College in 1952, Dr. McKibbin, decided to specialize in equine care, and more specifically lameness. He treated patients with acupuncture, cryosurgery, and laser therapy.
His first in depth experiences with equine therapy began locally, working with nearby horsemen in the Leamington area, and fueled by success, his practice grew.
McKibbin was among the very first people to advocate swimming horses for equine physiotherapy. He built his own pool, which was at times heated by an old steam engine that had to be started very early in the morning He was also an early adapter for using a computer to maintain records on his patients and how they performed after treatment. Horse owners travelled from far and wide to his small, unassuming clinic in Wheatley, Ontario, for treatment using the ground-breaking methods he employed. Rambling Willie, a three-time winner of the Canadian Pacing Derby and 2020 CHRHF Inductee, was among the numerous horses aided by Dr. McKibbin.
He attended conferences and educated himself in new ways and techniques and word soon spread of his ‘healing powers’. He talked with other vets and was not afraid to travel to such places as the Kentucky Derby where he was welcomed in the paddock and backstretch.
Dr. McKibbin was also a pioneer in the sometimes-controversial use of acupuncture as a form of pain control in horses. He did extensive research on acupuncture and eventually became a recognized acupuncture expert in both the equine and the human field in the mid 1970s.
In the late 1980s, he began doing cryosurgery to remove troublesome tumors and other impediments which caused lameness.
“Doc” also spent considerable time mentoring other veterinarians to follow in his path, many of whom went on to open their own successful practices. His books Horse Owners Handbook and Cryoanalgesia for Horses continue to be used as reference manuals today. In 1989, in recognition of his work, Dr. McKibbin was inducted to the Chatham-Kent Agricultural Hall of Fame.
Respected world-wide, McKibbin was invited to China and Japan several times for acupuncture seminars. His lectures on equine medicine and surgery, and in later years on acupuncture, were well received.
In the early years of his practice, he hosted a few ‘race days’ at his own track just east of Wheatley. The races had no purses and were put on by local horsemen who were eager to try their young horses.
He also owned and bred several horses, and raced a few as well, including Willy Tass – who had a liniment named after him – and Adios Judge, who stood as a stallion at his farm.
Dr. McKibbin passed away in 2000, but his legacy in veterinarian medicine and equine therapy continues to make an impact in horse racing today.