Dr. Patrick First grew up in Madison, Wisconsin. He spent his childhood helping care for his family’s Arabian horse farm, where he earned multiple titles showing Arabians at the Regional and National levels. In 2007, he was nominated for the USEF’s Young Rider of the Year Award. His love of horses and the equine industry led him to pursue a career in veterinary medicine. Dr. First completed his undergraduate degree at Mississippi State University prior to attending the College of Veterinary Medicine, also located at Mississippi State. Throughout vet school, he was elected President of his class, President of the student chapter of AAEP, and received the Large Animal Surgery Award. After graduation, he moved to Tallahassee, Florida where he worked as an Associate Veterinarian at a referral equine practice then eventually moved to Mobile and started First Equine Veterinary Services alongside his wife, Dr. Brittany First. His professional interests include sports medicine, lameness, reproduction, and dentistry. Dr. First is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and American Association of Equine Practitioners. Dr. First is an avid polocrosse player and enjoys being an avid part of the local equestrian community. In his spare time, he enjoys running, going to the beach, and spending time with Brittany.

The First’s are excited to offer an exclusively equine veterinary service to the local horse community. They are enjoying being back home with their two dogs, Diesel and Dolcé, their cat, Gracie, and their beloved horses, Floppy and Maui.

Dr. Brittany First is originally from Mobile, Alabama where her love of horses started at a very young age. She developed friendships in the local horse community throughout South Alabama and Mississippi riding and competing her off-the-track Thoroughbred, Jo. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree with Honors at the University of South Alabama, she attended Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. After graduation, Dr. Brittany worked at an equine referral practice outside Birmingham, Alabama for two years, then moved to Tallahassee, Florida where she served as a mixed animal Veterinarian.In 2016, she moved back home to Mobile and started First Equine Veterinary Services alongside her husband, Dr. Patrick First. She has received certifications in equine acupuncture, spinal manipulation (chiropractic), and equine rehabilitation from Chi University and serves as a lab instructor for the spinal manipulation courses offered there. Aside from these integrative therapies, Dr. Brittany also enjoys routine wellness visits and client education. She is a member of American Veterinary Medical Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, United States Equestrian Federation, United States Eventing Association, and United States Dressage Federation. Dr. Brittany is happy to be a part of the local horse community and enjoys eventing and dressage with her horse, Floppy. She and Dr. Patrick are loving life on their small farm with their horses, two dogs, cats, and goats.

Dr. Zach Nettles grew up in Pelahatchie,MS. He was introduced to horses at a young age and began riding competitively, mostly in western performance events, and won multiple titles at the national level. He attended Mississippi State University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife, Fisheries, and Aquaculture. He then went on to attend veterinary school at Mississippi State, graduating in 2024 and receiving the MVMA Large Animal Award. During his time at Mississippi State, his passion for riding continued as he spent most of his spare time working on a cattle ranch. His primary professional interests include equine sports medicine, lameness, podiatry, and reproduction.

Dr. Kristin Durden grew up in Sandersville, GA where her passion for the outdoors and animals started at a young age. She began her academic journey playing collegiate softball before transferring to the University of Georgia, where she completed her undergraduate degree. She then went on to earn her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Georgia, graduating in 2025 and receiving a Certificate of Merit in Large Animal Medicine & Surgery. Her professional interests include dentistry, wellness care and lameness. She enjoys building strong relationships with clients and their horses. Outside of veterinary medicine, she enjoys hunting, fishing, spending time at the beach with her husband Joe, and cheering on Georgia football (Goooo Dawgs!).

KarrieAnn grew up a military brat and later married a U.S. Marine, moving 18 times—including overseas—along the way. She's been a proud “horse girl” since the age of five and rode competitively for the Sewanee Equestrian Team while attending Sewanee: The University of the South.
She married her husband, Adam, in 2009, and together they have four fantastic kids. KarrieAnn has worked in both large and small animal veterinary medicine since 2004 but stepped away for several years to be home with her children. In 2022, the Gaskins put down roots at their own slice of paradise, G6 Equestrian, which they share with four horses, four miniature donkeys, too many poultry to count—and Blu, their beloved Belgian Malinois and the bestest girl. Outside of work, KarrieAnn enjoys eventing, traveling, and spending time with her family.

Originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Anna Sloat holds a Bachelor's degree in Equestrian Science from William Woods University. She has been riding hunter/jumper horses since the age of 8 and has explored a variety of other disciplines. She has worked in veterinary medicine on and off since 2018 and has lived in Mississippi since 2017. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, trying new food and cocktails, reading, and spending time with her two dogs, Murphy and Milo, and her husband, Monty. She supports both office operations and fieldwork alongside the doctors.

Abby, adopted from China as a baby, has lived in Mobile ever since. Her lifelong passion for animals led her to become a licensed veterinary technician in the state of Alabama. After 3 years working at a small animal hospital, she came to First Equine to pursue what she loves most. Working with horses from an early age, she’s gone on to be a trick rider in the circus whenever she is able. When she’s not working or running away with the circus, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her horse Buck, donkey Jared, and dog Grunt.

Laura Rose has been part of First Equine since 2018. She grew up riding in Mobile and holds a degree in biosystems engineering from Auburn University. At the clinic, she works both as an assistant and in the office. While she doesn’t currently own a horse, she loves the opportunity to work with them every day. Her dog, Lad, serves as the office Walmart greeter (alongside his best friend, Blu) and takes his job of keeping the clinic animals in line very seriously. In her spare time, Laura enjoys doing agility and hiking with Lad and her younger border collie, Zest.

Alisha is from Biloxi, MS. She lived in Florida and Germany as a girl, learning different styles of horsemanship and riding. She worked for Reining trainers in Mississippi and Texas before going out on her own as a trainer. She is now focusing on the sports medicine and rehabilitation of horses as she is passionate about maintaining the best physical and mental condition of the horses. In her free time she enjoys riding her horses, music, art, friends, family, bugs, bones, and leather work.

Katie Richardson Ranager is an accomplished equestrian and experienced horsewoman with over a decade of hands-on experience in training and instruction. A USPC Graduate B and seasoned competitor through Preliminary eventing and Second Level dressage, Katie has built a career rooted in horsemanship, education, and professional care. Her work includes grooming at the FEI level in both the hunter/jumper and eventing disciplines, and she holds licensure as a pony rider and groom through the Arizona State Racing Commission. Katie has taught beginner through intermediate riders across the country and served as a USPC coach, consistently bringing patience, clarity, and confidence-building instruction to the arena. Her expertise spans young horse development, stallion handling, and farm management. Prior to her full-time transition into the equine world in 2020, Katie gained valuable experience in business development, sales, and real estate—skills that now support her success in managing high-level equine programs with professionalism and precision. With a balanced blend of practical know-how and people skills, Katie continues to pursue excellence in every aspect of the horse industry.

Erica is originally from South Carolina. She has been riding and competing her whole life. Erica completed her degree in Veterinary Technology at Piedmont Technical College. Since then she has furthered her equine knowledge working for multiple professional trainers, attended farrier school, and practices equine massage therapy. She spends her free time with her two dogs Goose and Cairo, her cat Freyja, and three Quarter Horses Stella, Ellie, and Sweets.