In Memoriam: Brian de Burgh Baker (1936-2022)

Abstract

Brian Baker was born on 11 November 1936 in Johannesburg. Brian and Janet Baker moved to ‘Summerveld’ in Natal in about 1965, where in addition to farming and his racing practice, he became increasingly involved in all aspects of Thoroughbred breeding. His first major break was when the Saunders family of Tongaat Sugar asked him to take care of the 800 mules that worked in the sugar cane fields. Eventually, the Baker-McVeigh group that he founded would develop into 8 practices around the world, with close to 60 equine veterinary surgeons. Brian Baker, John O'Grady, Philip Boyazoglu, Maurice Azzie, Robin Rous, Frank Freeman and others, with HP Steyn in the chair – met at the Witwatersrand Agricultural Society Showgrounds at Milner Park to form the Equine Practitioners Group (EPG). During 2005 the name of the EPG was changed to SAEVA (South African Equine Veterinary Association). Brian not only built one of the earliest equine operating theatres and hospitals, but he also created a state-of-the-art blood laboratory and was pioneering revolutionary procedures like the tie-back wind ops before they were written up in the journals. In his later life, he spent some time with Monty Roberts, the horse whisperer in America, and he was the pioneer of equine acupuncture in South Africa in his retirement years.