Keynote Speakers

Dr Nicole du Toit - Dentistry 

Nicole du Toit is a world-renowned specialist in equine dentistry. She qualified from Onderstepoort veterinaryschool in South Africa in 2000, and then moved to the University of Edinburgh where she completed a 3-yearresidency in equine dentistry, followed by a PhD with combined studies at the Donkey Sanctuary in Devon.  

In 2011 Nicole returned to her native South Africa to run her own dental referral practice, treating referral cases 

in veterinary practices throughout South Africa. In 2013 Nicole was co-opted onto the Equine Dental SpecialtyOrganising Committee, becoming a European Specialist and Diplomat of the EVDC.  

In March 2017 Nicole moved to England and joined Equine Dental Clinic, and in 2019 became a Director. Niclectured and demonstrated on multiple courses world-wide, and has authored and co-authored over 50 clinical journal papers in equine dentistry. 
 

Dr Chris Pearce – Dentistry 

Chris has considerable experience in equine dentistry at all levels. He has post-graduate veterinary qualifications in internal medicine and soft tissue surgery and was the first vet in the UK to also qualify as an equine dental technician (EDT) in 2001. In 2011, Chris won the Pet Plan Vet of the year Award, an achievement that the judges awarded in recognition of Chris' work in equine dentistry and the benefits of equine welfare. Professional posts have included Chairman of the BEVA/BVDA examining committee for EDT exams, BEVA Council representative for equine dentistry for 7 years, past Chairman of the BEVA Dental Working Party for political aspects relating to dentistry and past president of the European Veterinary Dental College.  

Chris teaches, lectures and examines widely on equine dentistry in the UK and worldwide and in 2014, passed the first speciality examination for the European Diploma of Equine Dentistry examination making him an officially recognised European Veterinary Specialist also gaining similar Specialist recognition from the RCVS.   

In 2013 Chris opened Equine Dental Clinic Ltd, a practice dedicated to advanced and referral equine dentistry, and in 2022 a new purpose built clinic has resulted in EDC being the largest specialist referral veterinary practice dedicated to equine dentistry in the world.  

Chris is dedicated to advancing the science of equine dentistry and is particularly interested in minimally invasive surgical techniques, and novel restorative and preservative treatments. 

Dr Margo Macpherson – Reproduction 

Margo Macpherson received her DVM degree in 1990 from Michigan State University. She completed a residency and Master’s degree in Equine Theriogenology at Texas A&M University and became a Diplomate in the American College of Theriogenologists in 1994.  

After her residency, Margo practiced at the University of Pennsylvania and in central Kentucky. In 1998, Margo joined the faculty at the University of Florida where she enjoyed teaching, clinical work and an active research program  which focused on equine placentitis.  

More recently, Margo has worked as a locum veterinarian in the busy equine reproduction practice at Colorado State University. In addition to clinical work, Margo is passionate about organised veterinary medicine and has served in several leadership positions for organisations including the American College of Theriogenologists, the American Association of Equine Practitioners, the American Veterinary Medical Association and  the World Equine Veterinary Association.  

In 2024, Margo was invited to act as the Continuing Education Coordinator for the AAEP’s newly launched XP series. Margo is excited to have an opportunity to contribute to educational events that promote equine veterinarians.   

Dr Laura Nath – Cardiology 

Laura is a registered specialist in Equine Medicine. She graduated with honours from the University of Sydney in 2003. Early in her career Laura worked in first opinion equine practice and reproduction and stud medicine in Australia and the UK and attained a certificate in Stud Medicine from the Royal Veterinary College in the UK in 2008. Laura completed her specialist training in equine medicine through a residency at the University of Melbourne and gained fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Equine Medicine in 2010.

During her residency training Laura completed a Masters degree investigating cardiac troponin in horses. She has recently completed a PhD through the University of Adelaide investigating exercise associated arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death in Thoroughbreds.

Laura has given research presentations and lectures within Australia, UK, USA and Canada on topics such as cardiology, atrial fibrillation, interpretation of heart murmurs, gastric ulceration and gastroduodenoscopy, management of coughing horses, diagnosis of lower respiratory disease, pleuropneumonia, weight loss, foal medicine, reproductive efficiency, equine metabolic syndrome and neurological examination. She has contributed several chapters to textbooks and published research on these topics.

Laura has extensive experience in cardiology and respiratory medicine and intensive care.

She also has interests in sports medicine, neonatal care of foals, neurology, dermatology, gastrointestinal disease; weight loss, colic, diarrhoea and gastric ulceration and endocrine disorders such as PPID (also known as Cushing’s disease).