AT THIS year's British Equestrian Trade Association's (BETA), Scottish-born veterinary surgeon, Stewart Hastie, was presented with a lifetime achievement award.

Born in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, in 1922, he went on to graduate from Glasgow University Veterinary School. He moved to Buckingham in 1958 and set up his own practice, specialising in the equine sector.

At around this time, he met John McTimoney and began a long-standing relationship with alternative medicine and equine chiropractics.

He has written seminal works for equine students and had major input into the training and development of the modern saddle fitter.

Stewart has written for publications such as the BHS veterinary manual and horselopaedia: A complete guide to horsecare, as well as conference papers. He has also appeared as a speaker at the British Equine Veterinary Association's annual conference and provided years of service to the Society of Master Saddlers as its veterinary consultant.

"Stewart has contributed a huge amount to our understanding of the horse in today's environment," said a BETA spokesperson. "He has been at the forefront of intensive studies carried out on the effects on the horse of saddles and girths using state of the art pressure testing.

"His past and continuing contribution to the equestrian world should be an inspiration for all of us involved with horses.

"He continues to be involved in research surrounding the way in which abnormal movement such as lameness affects the functioning of the horse's back, as well as the application of complementary disciplines in association with chartered physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths."