Skillman Veterinary Services is an Indianapolis area Equine Veterinarian that prioritizes equines and their health by providing compassionate and accessible vet care. Our services improve the quality of life of the horses in our care strengthening the bond between horse and owner. Our haul-in clinic is located on a beautiful 48 Acre farm in Middletown, Indiana. We offer both haul-in clinic and on-farm ambulatory veterinary services, allowing us access to treat more animals and provide specialized and long term care as needed.
We provide compassionate care in the following services areas: Equine Wellness, Dentistry, Reproduction, Lameness, Emergency Veterinary Services & Surgery, Geriatric and End-of-Life Care.
OUR DOCTORS
NATALIE SKILLMAN, DVM
Dr. Natalie Skillman is originally from Owensboro, KY, where horses were a part of her life since she was born. Her mother bred and raised saddlebreds on their family farm, and as a child she became involved in eventing and pony club. Her interest in equine veterinary medicine peaked after freshman year of college when she took a summer externship riding along with her own horses’ veterinarian. Since then Dr. Skillman has gained over 17 years of experience in the equine veterinary industry. She received her Bachelors of Arts at Wake Forest University, and received her doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from Tuskegee University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2014. Afterwards she went on to complete a rotating hospital internship at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, KY to help specialize her skills in equine surgery, anesthesia, medicine, and emergency and critical care. Upon completion of her equine exclusive internship she took a position as an associate equine veterinarian at The Heritage Clinic in Carthage, IN, and has been in general equine practice in the greater Indianapolis area for over 7 years.
In 2019 she started her own practice to help serve horses and their family members on the east side of Indianapolis. Dr. Skillman strives to provide a customized health plan aimed at extending the life and longevity of each horse in her care from all disciplines. Memberships include the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), and the Indiana Association of Equine Practitioners. At the start of 2022, she expanded the business, opening a Vet Clinic for haul-in clients on a beautiful 48 Acre farm in Middletown, Indiana. Serving both ambulatory and in-clinic appointments now allows access to treat more animals and provide specialized and long term care as needed.
Outside of veterinary medicine Dr. Skillman enjoys raising her three children Speer, Stella, and Sawyer alongside her husband Jonathan. Their family shares a home with their beloved Bassett hound, Elvis, and their feline companion, Alvin. Dr. Skillman with her family enjoys traveling to see family and friends, spending time on the lake, and playing golf. She also enjoys spending time with her own horse, Rocky, a 9 year OTTB she has owned for five years.
ABIGAIL HARRIS, DVM
Dr. Abigail Harris was born in Anaheim, CA and moved to Auburn, AL when she was in high school. Her love for horses began at a very young age. She grew up riding and showing Quarter horses in Western pleasure. She completed her Bachelor’s and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees at Auburn University.
After graduating veterinary school in 2022, she went on to complete a one-year [equine only] internship at Carolina Equine Hospital in Browns Summit, North Carolina. Dr. Harris rotated through internal medicine, emergency medicine, sports medicine, reproduction, and general practice of equine veterinary care. Her primary areas of interest include emergency medicine, lameness, neonatology, internal medicine, and dentistry.
Her husband’s career in chemical engineering at Eli Lilly brought them to the Fishers, IN area in July 2023. She accepted an associate position with Skillman Veterinary Services and is excited about further growing her career in equine veterinary medicine.
Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Harris enjoys reading, running, traveling, and spending time with her husband, Patrick, and their Labrador retriever, Hazel.
OUR CARE TEAM
EMILY NICHOLS
VETERINARY ASSISTANT
Emily Nichols has been with Skillman Veterinary Services since 2020, and has been riding horses since she was five years old. She also works on her family farm, caring for 4 horses, 3 dogs, and a barn cat. She has evented through training level at both schooling and recognized events, first with “Hazel” a 2000 grade QH x Morgan mare, with Chantilly Lace “Irish” a 1986 TB mare, and is currently working on moving Galway Girl “Rory”- a 2012 OTTB, up the levels.
Through the years, she has helped teach at various equine summer camps and volunteered at several therapeutic riding centers. She has also worked at several equine facilities feeding, cleaning stalls and turning out horses. She was a seven-year 4-H member in Hamilton County with dogs, horses (showing and placing in both English and western classes with Irish), rabbits, and small animals. She enjoys teaching beginner lessons and hacking with friends. She is always looking to further her education with horses, both in the saddle and on the ground, especially her horsemanship. She was a Pony Club member, reaching her traditional C-1 rating. Along with her three personal horses, she also cares for “Sly” a 1996 paint gelding. In addition to riding, she is an avid reader, enjoys listening to podcasts, sewing, and gardening.
ERIN SHEETS
VETERINARY ASSISTANT
Erin started working for Skillman Vet Services in May 2022. Erin started riding when she was 6 years old and has loved it ever since. Growing up, Erin was a member of Pony club and made it all the way to her C2 rating. Erin began her eventing career when she was 10 years old on her 16.2 h paint gelding, Stormy, and began her journey of competing and training up the levels of eventing.
Erin has successfully retrained multiple horses over the years, specifically OTTB’s. She is currently competing at the Preliminary level with her 15.2 h OTTB, Boone. In addition to retraining horses for herself or for clients, Erin also had a very large and successful lesson program for almost 6 years before joining the SVS team. She even has coached and trained horses for Dr. Skillman. Erin has sourced and matched multiple horses for past clients and students.
Erin is very excited to further her knowledge in the equine veterinary world and is looking forward to the experience of it all.
In addition to her equestrian accomplishments, Erin graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Franklin College in 2016. Erin’s knowledge of psychology will help her in a variety of situations with Dr. skillman and the rest of her team! Erin’s passion for horses and her extensive equine knowledge that and experience will only help her grow during this amazing opportunity with Skillman Veterinary Services.
KATHIE SHEETS
CLIENT RELATIONS SPECIALIST
Kathie was born in Washington DC and moved to Indiana in 1990. She grew up riding horses but never owned her own horse until the age of 40, when her horse-crazy daughter, Erin, wanted her own horse.
Kathie’s personal horse, Luna, is currently helping children as a therapy horse at the Children’s Theraplay Foundation.
Her husband works for Atlas Van Lines in their special products division. Outside of working for Skillman Veterinary Services, Kathie has had a career in cosmetology for the last 40 years. She has two dogs, Saint who is a pit bull and Eloise the super tiny Brussels griffon.
Kathie is also Erin’s mom!
THE CLINIC
Our Haul-In Clinic features a full medical service area, comfortable waiting areas, restrooms, kitchen, indoor arena, individual stalls, fenced fields, and a children’s outdoor play area. We are a family-friendly Veterinary practice, and we encourage you to bring children to visit the clinic during your appointments. It’s a wonderful way for them to learn and experience the importance of caring for animials!
Skillman Veterinary Services is located at 4741 East 400 South, Middletown, IN 47356. Give us a call during business hours at 317-829-6530 or Request an Appointment Online. Learn & View more about our clinic: Photos, Hours & More
OUR COMMUNITY
