Barry Drayton cut his teeth as a young vet in Hawera and found his way around horses under the mentorship of great Taranaki horse trainers such as Brian Deacon, Wally McEwan, and Herb Bergesson.
Barry and Hazel moved closer to family in Manawatu where Barry worked initially in Feilding and then with local identities Jim Kelly and Sam Burgess in Palmerston North. The well recognised registered KB horse brand is still used today! Totally Vets, of which Barry is a shareholder and director, evolved in part and through various name changes and mergers from this original Kelly Burgess practice.
Barry and Hazel were drawn into the local pony club and sport horse fraternity by their daughters, Kylie and Carla. Both of whom participated in their chosen sport striving for excellence at a level Barry would set for himself. Hazel was a long time stalwart of the Linton Country School and devoted several years to the schools' administration. Nowadays it's Kylie's and Carla's children who keep Barry and Hazel busy and entertained during their leisure time.
Between time in the Taranaki and Manawatu Barry subjected himself to a post graduate study of the equine limb and earned a Diploma in Equine Orthopaedic Surgery and Radiography. From this time Barry has continually developed his capabilities in the diagnosis and management of lameness in horses to the high standards he sets today.
There are many a horse that's benefitted from Bazza's meticulous and well honed surgical skills. Observing Barry's surgical expertise just doesn't compute with his performance as flanker for the Varsity "V's".
