Speaker bio page for Dr Gemma Pearson

Bio

Gemma combines her time between research, outreach and running a referral clinic for clinical equine behaviour cases where she is based at the University of Edinburgh. After working in ambulatory practice Gemma undertook a rotating residency programme in the equine hospital alongside an MScR investigating horse veterinarian interactions. Subsequently she completed her CCAB (certified clinical animal behaviourist) exam and her PhD thesis ‘Stress in equids undergoing veterinary care and the development of interventions that positively influence the horses’ experience’. This work has been disseminated through the popular ‘Hold Your Horses – low stress veterinary care’ course via BEVA. As well as continuing with her own research she supervises several students at PhD, MSc and undergraduate level. In 2022 she was recognised as the first species specific RCVS specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine (Equine) and then awarded Fellowship of the Royal Collage of Veterinary Surgeons in 2024 for Meritorious contributions to clinical practice. Gemma is frequently invited to lecture internationally, as a recognised expert in this field and an excellent communicator. She has also been invited to provided expert opinion in working groups for organisations such as the Scottish government, FEI, FRCVS and BHA. In her spare time she has competed up to advanced level endurance on a homebred horse as well as enjoying competing in affiliated dressage and eventing. Currently she has two 3-year-olds she is backing.