Welcome to Statesville Equine

Our Doctors and Staff

Dr. Travis Blackwelder

Dr. Travis Blackwelder grew up working daily at his father’s practice, Statesville Bovine and Equine Clinic. At a young age he knew that his lifelong goal was to become a veterinarian and work in the family business. After graduating with a BS degree in Animal Science from North Carolina State University he went on to pursue a Master’s degree in Animal Nutrition. In 2001 Dr. Travis received his DVM degree from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine and joined his father in private practice. He now is the sole owner of Statesville Equine Clinic and focuses on diagnostics and treatment of equine lameness and sports medicine cases across the southeast. Dr. Travis is a past president of the NEAEP (Northeast Association of Equine Practitioners). He has also served on the executive board and lameness committee and has been a speaker and wet lab instructor for the NEAEP. This position is one Dr. Travis has worked very hard to achieve and is extremely proud of, especially in his role with enhancing the veterinary education in lameness and podiatry. Dr. Travis currently serves on the AAEP lameness and sport horse scientific review committee and is on the executive board for VMG 8 (Veterinary Management Group).  Travis also serves on the board of directors for the Carolina Equine Sports Medicine Education Foundation and enjoys speaking at both regional and national equine veterinary and podiatry meetings and events.

When Dr. Travis is not working, you can find him playing golf, snow skiing and being anywhere on the water.

Dr. Lisa Baucom

Dr. Lisa Baucom grew up riding and working with horses.  She knew from a young age she wanted to be an equine veterinarian and went on to pursue a DVM degree from North Carolina State University in 2002. After graduation she completed an internship at Littleton Large Animal Clinic in Colorado focusing primarily on lameness and surgery. Her interest in lameness and locomotion led her to investigate alternative therapies such as chiropractic and acupuncture. Her certifications in these areas allow her to effectively incorporate them into her lameness exams and integrate them with modern treatment modalities. She is also furthering her education by taking courses with ISELP (International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology) in order to keep up with the most modern diagnostics and treatment capabilities for equine lameness. Her focus includes all aspects of sport horse medicine, with special interest in and treatment of the cervical and thoracic spine.

When not working, you can find Dr. Lisa riding and showing her hunter/jumpers and she almost always has her sidekick with her, her French Bulldog “Mike.”

Dr. Zach Spencer

Dr. Zach Spencer became an associate veterinarian with Statesville Equine Clinic in June 2017 and has been a part of the team in some capacity since 2008.

Dr. Zach received his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from NC State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2017 and also has his undergraduate degree from NC State. Dr. Spencer's focus in veterinary school was equine sports medicine and lameness and that interest has carried over to his professional career with Statesville Equine.

When not working, you can find Dr. Zach spending time with his wife, Lauren, and their three children.

Dr. B (1946-2014)

H.D. Blackwelder, DVM

The late Dr. H. Dwight Blackwelder "Dr. B" was raised on a dairy farm in rural Davie County. Dr. Blackwelder entered NC State University in 1964 for undergraduate studies and then attended University of Georgia Veterinary School in 1967.

After graduating in 1971, Dr. Blackwelder came to Statesville to practice large animal medicine and surgery. His special interests were equine lameness and reproduction, along with bovine herd health. Dr. Blackwelder was best known for his diagnosis and treatment of equine lameness along with his great sense of humor.

He was an avid fisherman and clients always got to hear the fishing stories along with seeing pictures of the latest catch.  He was a wonderful husband and father and will always be known as The Patriarch of the clinic.  

Maddie Hazelbaker - Office Manager

Maddie started at Statesville Equine in March of 2017 as a veterinary assistant. Maddie grew up in Clemmons and currently lives in Statesville. She graduated from ECU with her bachelors in communication in 2016. In June of 2022, our longtime office manager, Sherry, retired and Maddie has been in that role since.

When she’s not at work, Maddie loves spending time with her two dogs, Jimmy and Ned, traveling and going on mission trips.

Madison Davis - Veterinary Assistant

Madison has been at Statesville Equine since February of 2018. Madison has recently gone to part time to start her new endeavor in real estate in the Mooresville area. She recently became a licensed real state agent and is working alongside her father.

In her spare time, you can find Madison spending time on the lake with her family.

Payton Quigley - Veterinary Assistant

Payton started at Statesville Equine in May of 2022. Payton grew up in and still lives in Taylorsville. She attended Wingate University, where she studied business management. Payton loves the excitement of emergency visits, especially when it involves a wound, as she spent more than a year tending to a horrific wound on her personal horse’s hind limb.

When not working, you can find Payton training and showing barrel horses and spending time with her husband, Wyatt, friends and family.

Gracie Nettles - Veterinary Assistant

Gracie joined the Statesville Equine team in March of 2023 and has been such a great addition. Gracie grew up in Aiken, SC and now lives in Sherrills Ford. She graduated from Bandys High School in 2020. Gracie is an incredibly hard worker and you’ll never hear a complaint out of her. She keeps us laughing and is such a positive personality in the office.

When Gracie isn’t working, you can find her spending time with her boyfriend Hunter and their blue heeler “Goose.” Gracie shows cutting horses and has a variety of animals at her house that she loves spending time with and taking care of.

Alyssa Turner - Veterinary Assistant

Alyssa started at Statesville Equine in July of 2024 after her graduation from NC State, where she majored in Animal Science. Alyssa currently lives in Mocksville and grew up in Clemmons.

In her spare time, she enjoys riding four wheelers and spending time outside.

Peyton Green - Veterinary Assistant

Peyton is the newest member of the Statesville Equine team, having started in August 2024. She grew up in and still lives in Mocksville. She recently graduated high school and is taking college classes online.

When Peyton isn’t working, you can find her rodeoing with her five horses.

Mike

Jimmy

Ned