Team
Dr. Catherine “Cat” Foreman-Hesterberg
Director and Primary Care Veterinarian
Dr. Catherine Foreman-Hesterberg joined the Midwest Equine team in 2019 as an instructor of equine ambulatory medicine and became director in 2023. Dr. Foreman-Hesterberg is very familiar with the horse community of east central Illinois, as she was born and raised in it! She was on the back of a pony before she could walk and has competed in numerous disciplines through the United States Pony Club, as well as being a lifelong competitor in the hunter/jumper industry. A graduate from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Foreman-Hesterberg likes to provide all possible treatment options in order to meet the needs of her clients. In addition to providing primary care, dentistry, geriatric, reproductive, and emergency care, Dr. Foreman-Hesterberg also gained vast experience in equine sports medicine in Aiken, South Carolina, on some of the country’s best athletes — from barrel racers to eventers to racehorses. She is also certified in animal chiropractic and believes this modality of treatment is useful in all shapes and sizes of horses.
In her spare time, Dr. Foreman-Hesterberg enjoys spending time with her husband and two young daughters, Charlotte and Casey, as well as her dog, Petri, and riding her thoroughbred gelding, Mac.
Dr. Kianna Taylor
Primary Care Veterinarian
Dr. Kianna Taylor was born and raised in Rhode Island, where her love of horses began. She started riding lessons in kindergarten and continued competing in the local hunter/jumper circuit until starting veterinary school in 2019. Her undergraduate education was completed at the University of Rhode Island in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science and technology. Dr. Taylor graduated from the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in 2023 and completed her equine internship with Midwest Equine in 2024. She finished her Master of Public Health degree and began her full-time primary care veterinarian position with Midwest Equine in the summer of 2024.
In her spare time, Dr. Taylor likes to spend time with her friends and family, take her dogs Kash and Kooper for walks, and spend time with her pony, Handsome.
Mallory Grosvenor
Veterinary Technician
Mallory Grosvenor grew up in Watseka, Illinois. She graduated as a veterinary technician from Parkland College in May 2024 and joined the Midwest Equine team in 2024. Mallory has a strong passion for working with horses, so you can find her in the clinic or out on farm calls!
In her spare time, you can catch Mallory racing behind the wheel of her racecar at the local dirt tracks. Mallory also loves to spend time with friends and family, taking her parents’ cars to local car shows, and welding things.
Karen Wheatley
Veterinary Assistant
Karen Wheatley has worked at Midwest Equine since its inception and has worked at the Farmer City clinic for over 20 years. Karen works at our front desk and is normally who you hear behind the phone. Everyone loves Karen and how well she knows the central Illinois area.
In her spare time, Karen enjoys taking care of her paint horse, T-Bone, and pony, Cinnamon. She also cares for three cats. Back in the day, Karen showed Western and English Pleasure on two different mares in the Bloomington-Peoria area.
Kristina Slaby
Practice Coordinator
Kristina Slaby holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cellular biology, as well as a master’s degree in management, both from the University of Illinois. After working as a barn manager in the area for a year, she found her home with the Midwest Equine team. You will catch her doing a little of everything: helping in the office, in the clinic, and sometimes on the farm.
Kristina grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago. When she was 8 years old, she started taking riding lessons, and she has been involved in the hunter/jumper world ever since. While in college, she fell in love with hunt seat catch riding through the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA). She now competes in jumpers with her one-eyed, red-headed thoroughbred mare. She also teaches lessons and serves as an assistant coach for the IHSA and Interscholastic Equestrian Association team.