Katie Mack was basically born in a barn She grew up on a farm riding ponies (that eventually upgraded themselves to horses) on the West Coast Hunter/Jumper circuit and spent countless hours tagging along with her mom, an equine veterinarian, traveling from farm to farm. Horses weren’t just a hobby—they were the family business.

After doing “all the things” in the hunter / jumper world—including multiple trips to medal finals and a year competing as a Division I athlete on an intercollegiate equestrian team—Katie pivoted toward school, earning an undergraduate degree in journalism and a Master’s in organizational communications. While completing her Master’s, she worked as an assistant trainer for Nicole and Kendall Bourgeoise of Imagination Lane in her hometown of Portland, Oregon.

A brief detour into the corporate world took her to Encinitas, California, where she worked at a branding agency specializing in environmental startups—because saving the planet is cool too. But as anyone in horses knows, you never really leave the barn. Katie kept riding “on the side,” which eventually led her back to the industry full-time as an assistant trainer at Wildfox Farm in Rancho Santa Fe.

Dr. Barb Crabbe was the ultimate horse-crazy child, who begged her Mom and Dad for riding lessons until they finally relented out of sheer exhaustion. Fortunately, she turned that passion into a successful career as an Equine Veterinarian. After completing veterinary school at the University of California, Davis, and an internship at Washington State University, she settled in Portland, Oregon where she owned and operated a 3-doctor general equine practice for over 30 years.

During her hears in practice, Dr. Crabbe cultivated an interest in veterinary ethics. She completed a Master’s degree in Bioethics in 2023, the same year she transitioned her practice to her two long-term associates and took a step away from clinical practice.

She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Bioethics and serves on the Professional Conduct and Ethics Committee of the AAEP, in addition to chairing the Council on Veterinary Services of the AVMA.

An avid equestrian, Dr. Crabbe has competed at the FEI levels in dressage and continues to ride regularly. She also currently serves as an FEI official veterinarian for both show jumping and dressage, and can often be found officiating at international competitions throughout the United States.