Gemma Pearson
Dr Gemma Pearson BVMS Cert AVP (EM) MScR CCAB PhD FRCVS
Bio
Dr Gemma Pearson BVMS Cert AVP (EM) MScR CCAB PhD FRCVS RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine (Equine). Director of Equine Behaviour at The Horse Trust.
Gemma combines her time between research and outreach as Director of Equine Behaviour at The Horse Trust 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’. As well as continuing with her own research she supervises several students at PhD, MSc and undergraduate level. In 2023 Gemma was recognised as the first species-specific RCVS specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine (Equine). Gemma is frequently invited to lecture internationally, as a cognised expert in this field and an excellent communicator. After the success of the YouTube ‘Don’t Break Your Vet’ short video series Gemma has now developed an online course ‘Hold Your Horses – Low-Stress Veterinary Care’ available through the British Equine Veterinary Association, 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 is retraining a Thoroughbred who recently retired from racing.
