Stuart began his hoof care career in Christchurch, New Zealand, where he completed a four-year apprenticeship before launching his own business in 1999. After earning his New Zealand certification, he built a reputation for excellence, working on therapeutic cases as well as some of the country’s top racehorses and show horses. As his clientele grew, Stuart recognized the importance of continuing his education. He actively pursued advanced training opportunities throughout the Southern Hemisphere and the United States, integrating progressive techniques into his work. This commitment to learning opened the door to working with Olympic gold medalist Sir Mark Todd, providing hoof care for his racehorses and breeding stock, and later for Todd’s horse Gandalf, during the 2008 Summer Olympics.

From 1999 to 2012, Stuart also dedicated himself to educating others, tutoring at the New Zealand Equestrian Academy, where he taught the fundamentals of hoof health and biomechanics. In 2010, he was awarded a scholarship from the New Zealand Research Foundation, enabling further study in the United States. During this time, he attended the International Hoof-Care Summit and completed an externship at the podiatry department at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Kentucky.

Stuart returned to the Rood & Riddle Podiatry Department in 2012 as a full-time farrier under the mentorship of Dr. Scott Morrison. There, he developed extensive expertise in clinical and therapeutic cases, working primarily with sport horses and those with diagnosed pathologies. Through exposure to a high volume of lame cases, Stuart noted that certain variables were consistent across the cases he worked on. He found success in ensuring that each of the Eight Pillars described in this book was accounted for in a therapeutic hoof care strategy.

Since starting work at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital, Stuart’s hoof care career has taken him internationally, shoeing sport horses across North and South America and racehorses in the Middle East. Stuart’s commitment to furthering his education was reinforced by earning his American Farriers’ Association Certified Journeyman Farrier credential in 2014 and his Diploma from the Worshipful Company of Farriers in 2018.

A respected educator and speaker, Stuart has lectured at veterinary clinics and major symposiums. He has delivered keynote presentations at the British Farriers and Blacksmiths Association Conference in Warwickshire (2024) and the Scottish Farriers Conference (2025), and has been a recurring speaker at the International Lameness Prevention Conference. Stuart is also a frequent contributor to the International Hoof-Care Summit, where he lectures, facilitates roundtable discussions, and leads panel conversations on a range of equine pathologies.

In 2019, Stuart received the International Hoof-Care Summit’s Outstanding Presentation Award for his work on comparative anatomy in equines. His teaching experience also includes creating educational programs for the National Alliance of Equine Practitioners, delivering demonstrations for the American Association of Equine Practitioners, and conducting hands-on podiatry workshops.

Stuart’s contributions to the hoof care industry extend to published writing and digital education. He has written articles for the American Farriers Journal, Forge Magazine, and Western Horseman. Stuart has presented webinars for Boehringer Ingelheim, The American Farriers Journal, and The American Association of Equine Practitioners. Stuart has also appeared on industry podcasts such as The Humble Hoof and The Mullins Farrier Podcast.

He has served in leadership roles within the National Alliance of Equine Practitioners, including as a Board Member, Podiatry Committee Chair, and President for the 2021–2022 term.

Outside of his professional work, Stuart enjoys playing guitar, surfing, golfing, and spending time with his family.