About Penbode Equine

Our equine specialised vets

David Rowlands BVSc Cert EM(Stud Med) MRCVS
David comes from a competitive riding and horse breeding background in Cornwall. He graduated from Liverpool University in 1997 and has worked at equine referral hospitals in Ireland, New Zealand and Rossdales in Newmarket, UK. In 2005 he returned to the West Country to establish Penbode Equine as a specialised department within Penbode Veterinary Group. He holds the RCVS certificate in equine stud medicine and is part of the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) veterinary support team. He has officiated at many international events including Burghley Horse Trials and the London Olympic Test Event. He is an FEI Veterinary Delegate for eventing. His areas of specialisation include stud and sport horse medicine, dentistry and pre-purchase examinations. When work permits he enjoys exercising point-to-pointers and training for triathlons.

Gemma Hearn BVSc GPCert(EqP) MRCVS
Gemma graduated from Liverpool University in 2004 and after a year in mixed practice in Devon joined Penbode Equine in August 2005. She has a keen interest in lameness investigation, medicine and surgery. She has also received further training in saddle fitting. Gemma completed a certificate in general equine practice in 2010. She is a keen rider and committee member of the Holsworthy and District Riding Club. Gemma competes locally on her horse Shelly.

Tim Adams BVSc MRCVS
Tim graduated from Bristol University in 2005. He worked in mixed practice in the Bude and Holsworthy area for two years and then equine practice in Dorset for three years. He joined Penbode Equine in 2011. His areas of specialisation include dentistry, dermatology and medicine. In 2007 he addressed an invited audience at Buckingham Palace to launch the new British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) Emergency Services Protocol. This followed an incident involving his horse. He is working towards the RCVS certificate in equine medicine. Tim has grown up with horses having evented at pre-novice level. He is also a keen surfer.

Our additional out of hours support:

Mark Shepherd BVetMed MRCVS
Mark is an extremely experienced vet who is specialising in equine emergency care. We are very pleased to have him as part of our 24 hour, 7 days a week emergency cover team.

Our regular consultants include:

Ollie Crowe specialises in surgery and lameness.

Richard Hepburn specialises specialises in internal medicine cases with particular interest in Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS).

Amber Clutton-Brock specialises in embryo transfer.

Mark Banks specialises in veterinary ophthalmology.

Our equine receptionists

Karen Easterbrook
Karen has many years of horse experience. Her breadth of knowledge extends across all disciplines and she has evented at pre-novice level.

Caroline Barnes
Caroline is an experienced horsewoman having previously worked on a warmblood stud. She has bred and competed with her own dressage and event horses.