Blue Water Veterinary Care
Home
About Us
Services
Blog
FAQs
Client Information
Healthy Herd Program
Terms and Conditions
Bit by Bit Giveaway
Blue Water Veterinary Care
Home
About Us
Services
Blog
FAQs
Client Information
Healthy Herd Program
Terms and Conditions
Bit by Bit Giveaway
More
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Client Information
  • Healthy Herd Program
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Bit by Bit Giveaway
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Services
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Client Information
  • Healthy Herd Program
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Bit by Bit Giveaway

About Us

Our Story

Mackay Equine Vets was founded after recognising a need for an equine focused veterinary business in Mackay. 

Although still in its early days, Mackay Equine Vets aims to deliver the highest standard of care to your equine friends, and aims to do so with a friendly and compassionate smile. As horse people, we understand the magic of  owning and caring for these creatures and we pride ourselves on knowing how to speak the 'horse people' language. We will deliver no-nonsense service, provide our honest opinions and deliver this with compassion and a friendly smile. 

Located approximately 15 minutes west of Mackay, MEV services clients ranging from Proserpine to Carmila, and west to Eungella. 


Dr Ashleigh Fisher BVSc MANZCVS (Eq Dentistry) - Director

Dr Ashleigh Fisher attended veterinary school at the University of Queensland (Gatton Campus). She graduated in 2018 and spent her early years at a well respected mixed practice clinic in Mackay. 


In 2022, Ash sat her ANZCVS membership examinations in the topic of equine dentistry and was successful. This was an outstanding result following 18 months of intensive study and she already has her sights on the next topic to come! 


Following her exams, Ash felt the pull of equine veterinary work stronger than ever, and saw the desperate need for an equine focused vet in Mackay. She set about creating her own business (and learning new skills that come with being a business owner!) and Mackay Equine Vets (formerly Blue Water Veterinary Care) was born!


Ash and her husband Nathan have a plethora of animals at home, including 3 horses, 2 dogs, a cat and an ever expanding brood of chickens. They also welcomed their son, Riley, in May 2023 and are adjusting to life with a small person around the house!

In her spare time, Ash loves to ride her horses, train her young Labrador and relax at home, enjoying the country lifestyle that Mackay has to offer. 

Dr Hope Woods BVSc - Senior Equine Veterinarian

Dr Hope Woods has recently completed a 12-month equine internship at well-renowned Agnes Banks Equine Clinic just outside of Sydney, and has also completed some time in mixed practice. Fortunately for us, her passion for horses keeps her coming back to equine work and we are extremely lucky to have her join us!


Hope is a local girl, having grown up in Central QLD and attending James Cook University in Townsville for her veterinary degree. She is currently residing in Mackay with family close by.


Hope is interested in all aspects of equine veterinary medicine, with a particular focus on lameness and nutrition.
Outside of work, Hope loves to spend time with friends & her own horses.


Hope and Ash are now out on the road together and we can’t wait for our clients to get to know Dr Hope. We are excited about the skills she will bring to our practice, especially lameness and foal medicine!

Dr Carly Pontifex DVM - Equine Veterinarian

Originally from South Australia, Carly has been horse-crazy since the age of four. That early passion has led her through a wide range of equestrian pursuits, including dressage, eventing, mustering and stock work, as well as a brief stint driving harness racers.


After many years of study at the University of Adelaide, she graduated in December 2025 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.


During her final year, Carly was searching for a supportive and knowledgeable first role to launch her career in equine practice — something that proved difficult to find in South Australia. When she discovered the opportunity at Mackay Equine Vets, she completed a short placement and quickly fell in love with the region, the community, and the wonderful team at the clinic. She is now proud to be part of the Mackay Equine Vets team.


Outside of work, Carly enjoys spending time with her horses and dogs, and exploring the local area with her husband.

Jess Grech - Equine Veterinary Nurse

Jess joined Mackay Equine Vets in September 2023 and has been a highly valuable asset in ensuring that Dr Ash and Dr Hope are organised on the road (including directions to their next call so they don't get lost!). 


Jess is a Mackay local, and spent her high school years competing in the local English riding competitions, most notably in show jumping and Horseball. She has several horses of her own that keep her paddocks occupied and hopes to return to competing one day soon!


Jess and her partner Will welcomed their first child in 2024 and we are loving having Jess back on road with us after her maternity leave.

Brooke Conklin - Practice Manager

We’re thrilled to officially introduce Brooke as the Practice Manager at Mackay Equine Vets! A proud local living in the valley, Brooke brings not only a genuine passion for animals but also a wealth of hands-on experience from life on her very own hobby farm.


With three horses of her own, and a side passion for breeding miniature sheep and goats, Brooke is no stranger to the dedication and care it takes to look after animals. Being surrounded by animals every day truly is a dream come true and a big part of what drew Brooke into the equine veterinary world.


As Practice Manager, Brooke is the friendly voice you hear on the phone, the organised mind behind the scenes, and the person helping keep the clinic running smoothly day to day. From coordinating bookings and supporting the team to assisting clients and improving clinic operations, Brooke plays a key role in ensuring both horses and owners are well looked after.


Always approachable, keen to learn, and passionate about what she does, Brooke is excited to continue growing in her role and supporting both our team and clients. We can’t wait for you to meet her, whether out on the road, at the clinic, or over the phone!

Nathan - Assistant Director / Husband

Nathan was roped into full-time assistant director duties after his loving wife (Ash) decided to pursue a business in mobile veterinary medicine. 


While his primary duties involve encouraging Ash on the days she feels overwhelmed, and providing dinner when she's home late again, 

Nathan also works full time as a critical care paramedic in Mackay, and can often be found in the skies above, working on the CQ Rescue helicopter. 


Nathan has an extraordinary level of human medical knowledge and also provides excellent banter and comic relief! 


Nathan is a true supporter of the business, and we'd be lost without him! Make sure you say G'day if you see him out and about on calls. 

Copyright © 2026 Mackay Equine Vets - All Rights Reserved.


Powered by

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept