About First Equine Veterinary Services

Dr. Patrick First

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 regional and national levels. In 2007, he was nominated for the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF)’s Young Rider of the Year award. His love for horses and the equine industry ultimately led him to pursue a career in veterinary medicine.

Dr. First completed his undergraduate degree at Mississippi State University prior to attending their College of Veterinary Medicine. Throughout vet school, he was elected president of his class and president of the student chapter of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). He also 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. He later moved to Mobile, Alabama and started First Equine Veterinary Services alongside his wife and fellow veterinarian, 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 AAEP. He is an avid polocrosse player and enjoys being a 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 in Mobile and Mississippi.

Dr. Brittany First

Dr. Brittany First is originally from Mobile, Alabama where her love for horses began at a very young age. She developed friendships in the local horse community throughout South Alabama and Mississippi while 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

Dr. Zach Nettles grew up in Pelahatchie, Mississippi. He was introduced to horses at a young age and began riding competitively, mostly in western performance events, where he won multiple titles at the national level. He attended Mississippi State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife, fisheries, and aquaculture. He then went on to attend veterinary school at Mississippi State University, graduating in 2024 and receiving the Mississippi Veterinary Medical Association (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

Dr. Kristin Durden grew up in Sandersville, Georgia where her passion for the outdoors and animals began at a young age. She started 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 Gaskin, Practice Manager

KarrieAnn Gaskin grew up a military brat and later married a U.S. Marine, moving 18 times—even 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 Gaskin’s 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.

Anna Sloat, Assistant and Customer Service Representative

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 eight and has explored a variety of other disciplines. She has worked in veterinary medicine on and off since 2018 and 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 Stringer, Licensed Veterinary Technician and Customer Service Representative

Abby Stringer was adopted from China as a baby and has lived in Mobile, Alabama ever since. Her lifelong passion for animals led her to become a licensed veterinary technician. After three years of working at a small animal hospital, she came to First Equine Veterinary Services to pursue what she loves most.

Working with horses from an early age, Abby has gone on to be a trick rider in the circus whenever she can. 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.

Alisha Moore, Assistant

Alisha Moore is from Biloxi, Mississippi. 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 equine sports medicine and rehabilitation, as she is passionate about maintaining the best physical and mental condition of the horses she works with.

In her free time, Alisha enjoys riding horses, listening to music, making art, spending time with her friends and family, investigating bugs and bones, and working with leather.

Katie Ranager, Assistant

Katie Ranager is an accomplished equestrian and experienced horsewoman with over a decade of hands-on experience in training and instruction. A United States Pony Club (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 Fédération Equestre Internationale (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 Bridges, Customer Service Representative

Erica Bridges is originally from South Carolina. She has been riding and competing her whole life and 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.

Rachel Holland, Assistant

Info Coming Soon!