Hey!

I’m Dr. Madison Ricard, and I am a PhD student and anatomic pathology resident at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. I love all things horses, pathology, and teaching!

Hey!

I’m Dr. Madison Ricard, and I am a PhD student and anatomic pathology resident at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine. I love all things horses, pathology, and teaching!

Research Overview

With my background in equestrian sport, it seemed only natural to pursue equine health research!

Causes of equine abortion and perinatal loss in Canada

These two sister studies investigated the most common causes of equine abortion and perinatal loss in Canada. Necropsy reports from 2007-2020 from provincial diagnostic laboratories across Canada were examined.

Equine Abortions Study
Equine Perinatal Loss Study
Chlamydia as a cause of equine abortion in Canada

Currently, we are investigating the potential role of chlamydial pathogens, such as C. abortus or C. psittaci, as potential abortigenic agents in horses.

Chlamydia in equine abortions
Effect of abnormal umbilical morphology on foals

A preliminary investigation into whether abnormal umbilical cord morphologies, such as excessive twisting, is currently being conducted. Through the help of social media, we currently have over 150 data points.

Research Overview

Causes of equine abortion and perinatal loss in Canada

These two sister studies investigated the most common causes of equine abortion and perinatal loss in Canada. Necropsy reports from 2007-2020 from provincial diagnostic laboratories across Canada were examined. The perinatal loss study is currently pending publication.

Chlamydia as a cause of equine abortion in Canada

Currently, we are investigating the potential role of chlamydial pathogens, such as C. abortus or C. psittaci, as potential abortigenic agents in horses.

Effect of abnormal umbilical morphology on foals

A preliminary investigation into whether abnormal umbilical cord morphologies, such as excessive twisting, is currently being conducted. Through the help of social media, we currently have over 150 data points.

Other Skills

Teaching

I have always had a passion for sharing my knowledge with others. Creating accessible information is one of the most meaningful ways I can put my expertise to use. After completing my PhD, I will continue to forward my career as a scientific and public educator, putting a spotlight on equine issues to foster public discourse and the next generation of equine curiosity.

Select Teaching Experience
Equine anatomy workshops through Pathology and Ponies
General Pathology lecture series
Former volunteer educator for Body Worlds’ Animal exhibit
Scientific Writing

I believe scientific writing is the bread and butter of any good scientist, not only so we can share our discoveries with other scientists, but also the public. In addition to my academic publications and ongoing research, I have worked as a medical editor and researcher for Vetster and Mad Barn, run my own pathology blog, and have done peer review for equine scientific journals.

Select Writing Experience
Pathology and Ponies
Vetster
Mad Barn
Web Development and Design

In my spare time, I love to dabble in web design and development. To date, I have completed a number of projects which involved extensive “back-end” development with PHP and MySQL, as well as “front-end” layout design. I am also very experienced in HTML, CSS, JQuery, WordPress, and Drupal.

Select Portfolio Items
Oxer to Oxer Equestrian Game
UCVM Pathology
Silbertahl Farms
Number Crunching and Databasing

There is nothing I love more than an effective database or spreadsheet. I have extensive experience in Excel, Filemaker Pro, Microsoft Access, and MySQL as database tools. I am also experienced with R statistical software and have taken several courses in statistics, including statistics for clinical research.

Analytics

Converting tons of data points into useful, practical information is one of my specialties! I have previous experience in analyzing everything from web traffic data to large scale research studies to genomic data. Not only do I know my way around graphs, I am also able to present the results in an approachable manner.

Equestrian Sport and Industry

Of course, my primary interest outside of equine health is equestrian sport!

I have previously competed in show jumping up to the 1.35m level, including at the prestigious Spruce Meadows. My main mount, Donndiego, and I were the 1.20m Open Jumper Champions for Alberta in 2016 and 2017.

Currently, I run a small boarding facility in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, geared towards retirees. Diego and I are still competing in local shows, and I have a promising young horse in development.

I am also actively involved in the Warmblood breeding community, as a former board member for the Canadian Warmblood Horse Breeders’ Association Alberta Chapter. The CWHBA sets the breeding standard for Canadian Warmblood horses, with the goal of developing equine athletes for the top levels of Olympic sport. All stallions and mares must be approved by the CWHBA prior to breeding, to maintain the high quality of the breed.

During my time with CWHBA, I assisted in development of new marketing materials, managed the national website and social media, and volunteered with the Fall Classic Sale. I also constructed a website for the Sale, including an extensive back-end system for submission of prospective sale horses.

Education

PhD Student in Anatomic Pathology

2024 (expected)

Current anatomic pathology resident at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

2020

Graduated with distinction from the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Calgary, Alberta.

Bachelor of Science in Animal Health

2020

Graduated from the University of Alberta Faculty of Agricultural, Life and Environmental Sciences in Edmonton, Alberta.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Ricard RM, Wobeser B. Molecular detection of Chlamydia abortus in endometrial biopsies of mares from Western Canada. JVDI. Pending publication.
Iqbal M, Snead E, Cotter B, Corda E, Philibert H, Takada K, Ricard RM. Feline lung-digit syndrome: a differential for shifting, waxing and waning lameness in a cat. Can Vet J. Pending publication.
Ricard RM, St-Jean G, Atwal H, Wobeser BK. A retrospective study of equine perinatal loss in Canada (2007 to 2020). Can Vet J. 2023;64(10):933-940.
Ricard RM, Burton J, Wobeser BK. Detection of Chlamydia abortus in aborted chorioallantoises of horses from Western Canada. JVDI. 2023;35(4).
Ricard RM, St-Jean G, Duizer G, Atwal H, Wobeser BK. A 13-year retrospective study of equine abortions in Canada. Can Vet J. 2022;63:715-721.
Ricard RM, Lightfoot KC, Burton J, Wobeser BK. Bilateral second pharyngeal cleft cysts in two calves on the same farm. Can Vet J. 2022;63:292-296.

Select Oral Presentations

Ricard RM, Burton J, Chow-Lockerbie B, Wobeser BK. Detection of Chlamydia abortus in aborted chorioallantoises of horses from Western Canada. Calgary International Equire Symposium. September 2023.
Ricard RM, Wobester BK. Detection of Chlamydia abortus in equine aborted tissues in Western Canada. WCVM Pathology Noon Hour Seminar. January 2023.
Ricard RM, Clark T. SCID in an Arabian foal. Western Conference of Veterinary Diagnostic Pathologists. September 2022.
Ricard RM, Wobeser BK. Equine abortions and perinatal loss in Canada. WCVM Pathology Noon Hour Seminar. January 2022.
Ricard RM, Tomczyk M. Severe chronic laminitis in a Shetland pony. Western Conference of Veterinary Diagnostic Pathologists. October 2021.
Ricard RM, St-Jean G, Atwal H, Wobeser BK. A 13-year retrospective study of equine abortions in Canada. Calgary International Equine Symposium. September 2021.
Ricard RM, Wobeser BK. A 13-year retrospective study of equine abortions and perinatal loss in Canada. WCVM Pathology Noon Hour Seminar. March 2021.

Public Outreach and Media

Select public outreach and media mentions of my research!

Saskatchewan Equine Expo 2022

Presented “Foal Loss: Common causes and prevention” which highlighted some of the abortion and perinatal loss findings for the public.

WCVM EquineEd Talks 2023

Presented “Detection of Chlamydia in equine aborted tissues in Western Canada” to equine industry members.

Western Producer 2022

Overview of the equine abortion retrospective publication written by Dr. Jamie Rothenburger from the University of Calgary.

Contact

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