Speaker Bio:
Dr. Stacie Boswell graduated from the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and completed an internship at North Carolina State University. From there, she was a post-doctoral research associate in the Comparative Orthopedic Laboratory at Cornell University, and then completed a large animal surgery residency at the University of Tennessee. The intense specialty training in surgery and equine lameness evaluation and treatment culminated in qualifying for and passing a rigorous examination from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, thus earning Diplomat status as a Large Animal Surgeon.

She is driven to make horses’ lives better through both physical and mental well-being, and she has a strong interest in equine behavior. Working with patients in a low-stress way led Dr. Boswell to be a collaborative author for Equine Fear Free modules. Dr. Boswell is also the author of The Ultimate Guide for Horses in Need: Care, Training, and Rehabilitation for Rescues, Purchases, and Adoptions. Published by Horse and Rider Books.

Speaker Bio:
Diego Almeida is an AFA Certified Journeyman Farrier and holds all three endorsements offered by the association (Educator, Forging and Therapeutic Endorsements). He is also an Associate with the Worshipful Company of Farrier in England.

Almeida is also an AFA Tester and Certification Instructor. He is also involved in farrier certifications across the United States and abroad. Almeida’s background with horses began growing up in Brazil, where he trained and competed in show jumping, dressage, and endurance from a young age. A graduate of Midwest Horseshoeing School, Diego was later recognized with the International Hoof Care Summit’s Rising Star Award in 2014. He is also a three-time recipient of the AFA’s J. Scott Simpson Outstanding Educator Award (2015, 2016, and 2019).

Diego’s commitment to the horse started at a young age, while he rode, trained, and competed horses in several disciplines. This background as a horseman, combined with his passion for the time-tested principles of farriery, a deep understanding of equine anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics, and a lifelong love of learning make him a unique teacher who truly leads by example.