Dr. Mansmann graduated from University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine in 1968. He obtained his PhD in 1974 from University of California, Davis’s School of Veterinary Medicine. And in 2010, he earned honorary DACVIM-LA status (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine – Large Animal). He is an Honor Roll member of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and has served on several AAEP committees.
Dick has always been interested in equine sports medicine – as a 4th generation horse owner with multiple horses involved in various disciplines and as a veterinary practice owner. For the past 56 years, he has owned and operated a private practice, first in California and then in North Carolina.
He has worked at four U.S. colleges of veterinary medicine, including a recent stint as Clinical Professor Emeritus at North Carolina State University, teaching and doing clinical equine podiatry.
He has been involved with authoring books such as the 3rd edition of Equine Medicine and Surgery, Equine Lameness, and Equine Podiatry, and has published several papers in different areas of equine sports medicine, including podiatry, metabolic issues, respiratory problems, lameness, and rehabilitation. And has lectured extensively around the world.
In 2002, he was the 13th inductee into the American Farriers Journal’s International Equine Veterinarian Hall of Fame.
https://www.americanfarriers.com/international-equine-veterinarian-hall-of-fame
Dick is especially motivated by organizing or contributing to professional equine continuing education opportunities. For several years now, he has been involved with the Equine Sports Medicine Symposium hosted by the Carolina Equine Sports Medicine Education Foundation. https://equinesportsmedicinesymposium.com/ He is also a co-organizer of a monthly case discussion group for central North Carolina equine practitioners and farriers.
Dick’s professional goal has always been to remain a lifelong learner focused on the total welfare of the horse – this includes research and transmission of information to equine professionals and horse owners. His mantra is that academic schools and colleges of veterinary medicine (SVMs/CVMs), private practice professionals, and horse owners should work harmoniously together for the good of all horses.
N.B. University of Pennsylvania’s School of Veterinary Medicine uses Latin degree names, hence VMD for Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris.