Dr. Hilary Clayton is a veterinarian, researcher, and celebrated equestrian whose career spans more than 45 years advancing science in equine locomotor biomechanics, athletic conditioning, rehabilitation, and rider–horse interaction.

She holds a BVMS from the University of Glasgow (1973) and a PhD in biomechanics (1978), and served as the Mary Anne McPhail Dressage Chair in Equine Sports Medicine at Michigan State University from 1997 until her retirement in 2014.

She has authored 7 books and over 200 peer-reviewed scientific articles, focusing on how rider position, saddle fit, and training protocols directly affect equine kinematics, gait symmetry, and performance outcomes.

Dr. Clayton is a past president of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, and is also an Honorary Fellow of the International Society for Equitation Science, and has been inducted into multiple halls of fame including the USDF Roemer Foundation and the International Equine Veterinarians Hall of Fame.

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