Dr Sue Dyson: A Trailblazer in Equine Veterinary Medicine

Few individuals in equine veterinary medicine have had a career as impactful and illustrious as Dr Sue Dyson, the Equine Performance Consultant.

Renowned globally as a pioneer in the field of equine lameness, Sue’s contributions have not only elevated the standards of veterinary care but also reshaped the way practitioners understand, diagnose, and manage lameness in horses.

Her journey into equine veterinary medicine began as a rider, with an unwavering passion for improving the lives of horses. The Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Award Winner has produced horses from novice to top national level in eventing and show jumping, and holds the British Horse Society Instructor (BHSI) and Stable Manager certificates.

Dr Sue Dyson graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1980 and completed an internship at the University of Pennsylvania before returning to the UK to join the Animal Health Trust in Newmarket, where she led the lameness and poor-performance referral service for 37 years.

From the outset, her dedication to understanding and alleviating lameness has set her apart, and over the years, Dr Dyson’s expertise became the gold standard.

Since 2019, Sue has worked as an independent consultant, combining horsemanship skills with veterinary expertise to maximise horses’ performance potential. The University of Kentucky Equine Research Hall of Fame inductee’s holistic approach – evaluating the horse, rider, and tack as one system – has become a defining feature of the British born veterinarians modern work.

Groundbreaking Research on Equine Lameness

Sue Dyson’s name is synonymous with lameness diagnosis and management. Through decades of clinical practice and research, she has transformed what was once an often-misunderstood and misdiagnosed area of veterinary practice into a precise science.

Completing a Certificate in Equine Orthopaedics, Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in 1985, her work has led to the development of innovative diagnostic tools and protocols, making lameness evaluation more accurate and accessible for veterinarians around the world.

Among her many achievements, Dr Sue Dyson vet has been instrumental in advancing diagnostic imaging in lameness evaluation, including the use of ultrasonography, skeletal scintigraphy, and MRI.

A University of Cambridge graduate, she has authored more than 450 peer-reviewed papers along with multiple textbooks and chapters, cementing her reputation as a global authority in equine medicine.

Perhaps the crowning achievement of Dyson’s career is her pioneering work on the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram (RHpE) – a validated framework for recognising signs of discomfort in ridden horses. This research has profoundly influenced equine welfare, giving veterinarians, trainers, and riders a clearer lens through which to assess and manage pain-related behaviour.

Sue Dyson’s influence also extends through co-authoring landmark reference texts such as Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse, Clinical Radiology of the Horse, and Equine Scintigraphy, which remain essential resources for practitioners worldwide.

The Equine Performance Consultant evidence-based, welfare-centred approach has become a model for modern equine sports medicine, shaping how veterinarians across six continents diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate performance horses.

Educator, Mentor, and Advocate

Beyond her clinical and research achievements, Dr Sue Dyson has dedicated an extraordinary career to education.

Recognising the critical need for ongoing professional development in equine practice, Dyson has made it her mission to share knowledge generously with colleagues around the world – including inspiring our own team, such as Kristie Morris.

A former President of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA), she currently serves as Scientific Advisor to both the Saddle Research Trust and the Moorcroft Rehabilitation Centre.

Dr Sue Dyson is an Honorary Member of the British and Italian Equine Veterinary Associations and an Honorary Associate Member of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging, and was inducted into the University of Kentucky Equine Research Hall of Fame in the USA, accolades that reflect her exceptional contributions to the profession.

Dyson’s dedication to education is further exemplified by her work with The Lameness Program, an innovative online resource designed to equip equine veterinarians with the skills and confidence to excel in lameness diagnosis and treatment.

This program translates decades of experience into structured, case-based learning – giving practitioners the rare opportunity to study directly with one of the world’s foremost authorities in equine orthopaedics.

Since its launch in November 2023, the Equine Lameness Program has empowered thousands of veterinarians worldwide, bridging the gap between theory and practice through the evidence-based, hands-on training of Dr Sue Dyson.

Dr Sue Dyson Legacy of Excellence

Sue Dyson’s work extends far beyond the confines of academia and practice. Her influence is felt in the countless horses she has helped and the veterinarians Dr Susan Dyson has mentored, and hers is truly a household name among veterinarians.

Her achievements have been recognised globally with honours including the Frank J. Milne Award (AAEP, USA), the Tierklinik Hochmoor Prize (Germany), induction into the University of Kentucky Equine Research Hall of Fame, and Honorary Membership of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) and the Società Italiana Veterinari Per Equini (SIVE).

Through her unwavering commitment to advancing equine medicine, Dr Sue Dyson has set a standard of care that inspires practitioners globally.

Upcoming International Speaking Engagements

• AAEP Annual Convention, Denver, USA – December 6–10, 2025
• VetPD Webinar: Eventing Discipline-Specific Problems – January 13, 2026
• World Equine Veterinary Association Congress, Bangkok – January 26–30, 2026
• Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors Webinar – February 10, 2026
• Humane Veterinary Medical Association Webinar – February 18, 2026
• Horses Inside Out Conference, Loughborough, UK – February 21–23, 2026
• National Association of Veterinary Physiotherapy Webinar – March 11, 2026
• Horses Inside Out Movement & Behaviour Course (Introductory Webinar) – April 29, 2026
• American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Conference, Seattle, USA – June 11–13, 2026 (Keynote Speaker)

For equine veterinarians seeking to refine their skills, Dr Sue Dyson’s story is not only inspiring but also a call to action. Her journey underscores the importance of dedication, curiosity, continuous learning, and a deep commitment to the welfare of horses.

.Few veterinarians have shaped the understanding of equine lameness and ridden-horse welfare as profoundly as Dr Sue Dyson MA, VetMB, PhD, DEO.

With more than four decades of research, over 450 peer-reviewed papers, and authorship of landmark textbooks such as Diagnosis and Management of Lameness in the Horse and Clinical Radiology of the Horse, her work continues to influence every aspect of equine practice – from field diagnosis to advanced imaging.

We provide 5 full length training lectures (for free) conducted by Dr Dyson, simply click here to watch. We also have short clips in a playlist on Youtube too.

To learn directly from Dr Dyson and Dr Olivia James and elevate your lameness diagnostic skills, explore the Equine Lameness Program – a comprehensive, case-based training pathway designed to help veterinarians make a measurable difference to the horses in their care.

With Dr Sue Dyson’s veterinarian expertise as your guide, you’ll gain the tools to make a transformative impact on your patients and their owners.