Robert J. Hunt, DVM, MS, DACVS

Dr. Hunt graduated from the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in 1984. From 1984 – 1987 he worked at the Alamo Pintado Equine Medical Center in Santa Ynez, California. He returned to the University of Georgia in 1987 to complete his surgical training and graduate degree in cardiovascular physiology. Dr. Hunt remained on faculty and became a Diplomate in the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1992.

He joined Hagyard Equine Medical Institute as an equine surgeon in 1992. Dr. Hunt’s practice includes soft tissue and orthopedic surgery, lameness and performance evaluations, nuclear imaging, assessment and correction of conformational deviations and sales work. He has had a long-term interest in equine podiatry with special focus on laminitis and foot associated lameness.

Beyond his work as a veterinarian, Hunt was an owner and breeder, racing as Robert J. Hunt. He won 83 races as an owner, and his horses earned $1.9 million. He won another three races as a partner with others. His best runner is the Ethan West-trained Runaway Storm, a homebred 5-year-old Midnight Storm gelding who won the 2023 Bryan Station Stakes at Keeneland and has earned over $330,000 under the guidance of trainer Ethan West.

A mentor and teacher to many, he leaves a legacy of impact on the equine veterinary profession and equine industry.

Mentee Comments

Dr. Bob Hunt excelled as an equine surgeon and exemplified the highest ideals of mentorship, leaving a lasting impact on the profession and those he trained. I formed a unique friendship with Bob early in my veterinary career especially since we both were farriers and had a profound interest in podiatry/farriery. No matter how busy he was, he always took my calls and helped me with a vast number of my podiatry cases and always gave me practical sage advice based on science. He also proofed all my papers before submitting them for publication. I was honored when he called me to seek my advice on one of his cases. So much of the momentous success I enjoyed throughout my veterinary career was due to the mentorship I received from Bob.

Thank you, Dr. Hunt, for being a role model for our profession and for making me a better equine veterinarian.

– Stephen E. O’Grady, DVM