The SAEVA Congress will take place from 19-22 February 2026
at Champagne Sports Resort, Drakensberg, KwaZulu-Natal
Dr Gemma Pearson
BVMS Cert AVP (EM) MScR CCAB PhD FRCVS RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine (Equine) Director of Equine Behaviour, The Horse Trust Lecturer, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies BVSc PhD CertVA DipECVAA PGCert(LTHE) FHEA MRCVS
Dr Gemma Pearson
Professor David Bardell
BVSc PhD CertVA DipECVAA PGCert(LTHE) FHEA MRCVS
DEADLINES: Super early ends 30 October | Early ends 30 November | Standard ends 30 January
R500 increase with every category (early, standard and late)
| Registration Category | Super early Until 30/10/25 |
| SAEVA/BEVA Member Full Programme: Super Early | R6,200.00 |
| Non Member Full Programme: Super Early | R7,200.00 |
| Pre graduate Students: Super Early | R2,600.00 |
| International Delegate: Super Early | R8,800.00 |
| Pensioners: Super Early | R3,000.00 |
Click here to register
Dr Gemma Pearson BVMS Cert AVP (EM) MScR CCAB PhD FRCVS
Biography
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. She is also an accredited racecourse veterinary surgeon and enjoys working at Musselburgh racecourse.
After working in ambulatory practice Gemma moved to the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies where she completed a rotating residency programme in the equine hospital, completing her Cert AVP (EM), alongside an MScR investigating horse veterinarian interactions.
Subsequently she completed her CCAB (certified clinical animal behaviourist) 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 2022 Gemma became the first person to become a species specific RCVS regonised specialist in Veterinary Behavioural Medicine (Equine) and was awarded Fellowship of the RCVS in 2024 for meritorius contributions to clincical practice.
Gemma is frequently invited to lecture internationally, as a recognised expert in this field and an excellent communicator. One of the most successful projects was filming a series of short YouTube videos with the British Equine Veterinary Association aiming to reduce injury rates when dealing with difficult horses under the ‘Don’t break your vet’ campaign.
Gemma is passionate about improving interactions between horses and people, specifically regarding the application of learning theory. 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 recently retired from racing.
Current Research Interests
Equine behaviour and learning theory, especially horse-vet interactions. Equine Behavioural Medicine
TOPICS FOR SAEVA 2026
Low Stress Veterinary care
An introduction to low stress veterinary care
How to stay safe working with horses
Practical application of equine behaviour to everyday cases
Future directions in low stress veterinary care
Equine Behavioural medicine
In pain or being a pain – An introduction to equine behavioural medicine
Pain? – Further investigation and treatment
Stress? – Further investigation and treatment
Future directions in equine behavioural medicine
Equine Clinical Science
Biography
David is an EBVS® European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia and RCVS Recognised Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia.
After graduating from the University of Liverpool in 1998, David spent 8 years in predominantly equine practice before returning to Liverpool as a clinical anaesthetist in 2006. He gained the RCVS Certificate in Veterinary Anaesthesia in 2007, the European College of Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia Diploma in 2011, was subsequently appointed as Senior Lecturer in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Head of the Large Animal Anaesthesia service.
In 2016, David stepped out of full time clinical and teaching work to undertake a 3 year period of research into the molecular mechanisms involved in tendon disease, culminating in being awarded a PhD for his thesis ‘microRNA:target interactions in tendinopathy’. Returning to clinical duties in 2020, he resumed Head of the Large Animal Anaesthesia service responsibilties in 2021. In 2023 David was awarded a personal chair and is currently Head of Veterinary Anaesthesia.
David is a member of the ‘Vets with Horsepower’ charity, which delivers CPD lectures to equine vets worldwide, raising money for veterinary and human charities, and is involved in the Liverpool University Hedgehog Friendly Campus Project Group which promotes conservation and biodiversity on campus. He is a member of the ECVAA examination committee and sits on the University’s Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Board.