Speakers
Dr. Chris Blevins, MS, DVM
Dr. Blevins received his masters’ degree from Kansas State University Animal Science
and Industry in 2004. In 2006 he graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine
at Kansas State. Following graduation, Dr. Blevins did a large animal/equine internship
in Indiana at Janssen Veterinary Clinic and Purdue University Veterinary College.
In 2007, he became an associate veterinarian at a mixed animal private practice in
Savannah, MO. Dr. Blevins joined the faculty at Kansas State University in 2009 as
Associate Professor, Equine Field Service Clinician. His primary interest is in equine
preventative care including dentistry.
Dr. Tom Lenz, DVM, MS
Active in equine private practice, academia, and industry throughout his 36 year professional
life, Dr. Lenz is a Past President of the American Association of Equine Practitioners
(AAEP). He graduated from the University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine
in 1975, earned a Master of Science degree in Equine Reproduction from Texas A&M in
1988 and is a Diplomate of the American College of Theriogenologists. He has received
both the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine’s Alumnus of the Year
Award and the University of Missouri’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
A long time advocate for the health and welfare of the horse, he has chaired the AAEP’s
Welfare Committee, served on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA)
Welfare Committee and currently serves on the welfare committees of the American Horse
Council, the Professional Rodeo Cowboy’s Association and the Missouri Veterinary Medical
Association. For his work in equine welfare, Dr. Lenz received the AVMA’s 2010 Animal
Welfare Award. He is a trustee of the American Horse Council, where he is the immediate
past Chair of their Unwanted Horse Coalition. Dr. Lenz speaks to equine, veterinary,
agriculture and government groups throughout the country on equine welfare and has
published numerous articles and book chapters on the subject. Dr. Lenz received the
AAEP’s Distinguished Service Award in 2005 and the Association’s Distinguished Lifetime
Achievement Award in 2009 for his contributions to the equine industry and equine
veterinary medicine. In addition, Dr. Lenz is an Honorary Vice President of the
American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), where he serves on their Board of Directors,
chairs the AQHA Research Committee and has written a monthly horse health column for
over 20 years for the Quarter Horse Journal and Quarter Horse Racing Journal. He is currently the Senior Director of Equine Technical Services for Pfizer Animal
Health.
In his spare time, Dr. Lenz enjoys hunting, fishing, and woodcarving. He and his
wife Erin, a small animal veterinarian, live on their farm near Kansas City and have
two sons and three grandchildren.
Dr. Randy Raub, PhD
Dr. Randel Raub currently is the Director of Research and Marketing for US Feed Operations
– Ridley Inc. Dr. Raub is a recognized authority on equine growth physiology and has
authored or co-authored numerous articles for scientific journals, as well as having
written many articles for popular press. He also is a frequent speaker at educational,
research and industry-related functions throughout the country, and was the 2011 recipient
of the Fellow Award from the Equine Science Society.
Prior to joining Ridley, Dr. Raub was Director of Equine Business Development and Technical Service from 2007 - 2011, and Director of Research and New Product Development from 2001 – 2007 for the Horse Business Group of Purina. From 1989 to 2001 he was the head of the equine teaching and research program at Kansas State University, and was the 1999 College of Agriculture’s Faculty Member of the Year. He received his Bachelor and Master of Science degree in animal science from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. with a minor in physiology from the University of Kentucky. His Ph.D. work focused on the effects of nutrition and exercise on bone and muscle development in the growing horse. While pursuing his Ph.D. he also was extensively involved in the Thoroughbred industry and maintained a farrier business. Upon graduating from college he spent time as a packer and hunting guide in Idaho before starting his professional career.
While growing up he started colts for his grandfathers horse trading business, and during the summer would spend time with his uncle a Thoroughbred owner and trainer in California. Today, he and his wife Elizabeth, daughter Indira and son Ryley are involved with western performance and ranch horses.
Dr. Joanne Kouba, PhD