Tasmanian veterinarian Dr Art Meeker is recovering in Royal Hobart Hospital after suffering a massive heart attack on Thursday.

Meeker suffered the attack while tending a horse at Royston Carr’s Brighton stables.  He was placed in an induced but was awake and talking to his wife Shirley and family members on Friday.

“I remember going to Royston’s stables but I have no recollection of what happened from then on,” Meeker said on the weekend.  “I owe my life to Royston.  He applied CPR before paramedics arrived so I’m looking forward to thanking him when I get back to his stables, which will hopefully be in the very near future.”

Meeker expects to remain in hospital for at least a few more days.  “To be honest I feel really good and if it wasn’t for people telling me that I was in a very bad way I would be pushing to get back to work.  I’m still here and I mean to stay around for quite a bit longer.”

Meeker was born in Oregon, USA and has operated his Mobile Equine Veterinary Clinic since 1990.  He started the business just months after selling Neptune Stud.

Considered one of the leading standardbred studs in Australia, Neptune introduced some of the best stallions to stand in Tasmania.