Rachael Smith

BVSc(Dist) PGDipVCS MANZCVS DACVS(LA surgery).

Specialist Equine Surgeon

Prior to joining the RVC Equine team early in 2022, Rachael was in Perth, WA, where she was a Senior Lecturer in Equine Surgery at The Animal Hospital, Murdoch University, School of Veterinary Medicine.

Rachael originally graduated from Massey University (BVSc) in 1998, followed by 3 years in a large animal practice in Matamata, during this time she also achieved a Postgraduate Diploma in Veterinary Clinical Science. She left NZ and took on locum roles in the UK, before returning to Perth, to take a residency training position at Murdoch University in Equine Surgery.

Rachael is a member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in both Equine Medicine and Surgery, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in LA Surgery, and a Registered Specialist in Equine Surgery.

Most recently Rachael undertook post graduate training in veterinary chiropractic and certified with the International Veterinary Chiropractic Association.

Her special interests include equine lameness evaluations, diagnostics and poor performance evaluations, axial skeleton evaluation and diagnostics as well as soft tissue surgery: wound repair and reconstruction, synovial sepsis, foot injuries, pathology and colic surgery.

As long as she can remember, Rachael loved horses and wanted to be a vet. Before her studies at Massey, she grew up in the South Island riding horses, playing hockey, working in shearing sheds and general farm work roles. 

Rachael and her partner decided the time was right to return to NZ, and a good opportunity to get back into private practice. Relocating across the Tasman during a global pandemic was a challenge, after multiple road blocks, and hurdles jumped, they are now settled in North Canterbury with family close by, awaiting the arrival of Loppy, their 7 year old miniature lop rabbit who’s favourite past-time is chasing their 2 rescue Burmese brothers, 11 year old, Dusty and Jax.