My parents were Dutch immigrants to South Africa and instilled in me a strong work ethic combined with a persistent ‘can do’ approach to life. I had an idyllic childhood, growing up on a farm with horses and was a successful endurance rider, which turned out to be the springboard for my business idea.

I studied veterinary medicine at the University of Pretoria and was fortunate that the teaching was very practical. The lecturers constantly reminded us that when we were out working as a vet, we were likely to be the most qualified person for many miles, and that it was always worth attempting surgery for a willing owner. This attitude gave us confidence to try things, as referral was almost never an option.

Career planning

I moved to the UK in 1990 and took a variety of jobs in mixed practice – including bovine TB testing and small animal clinics, but I didn’t find my true niche for some time. I also travelled a lot between each job, on one occasion in Ecuador, buying horses with friends and riding across the country on the trip of a lifetime. That was another seminal moment, in hindsight. 

As the millennium approached I felt at a crossroads, finding full-time veterinary work unfulfilling. I then read a book that literally changed my life. It was called I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was, by Barbara Sher. I did the exercises suggested in the book and developed the idea of starting a riding holiday company, where I could satisfy my wanderlust and combine my love of horses, adventure and travel, without giving up veterinary medicine.

Emergency work

So, I began to concentrate on small animal emergency work. There were two reasons for this: it’s really well paid and it’s really exciting. Working nights and weekends was perfect while I got my business – Unicorn Trails – off the ground and flexible enough to fit around travelling. It was a busy but exhilarating time and I doubled my productivity immediately. It was the perfect compromise for me: I could practise ‘African medicine’, in that I was experienced and confident enough to tackle or stabilise most things, and I loved the adrenaline buzz I got from emergency work.

The concept of specialist out-of-hours clinics was just catching on and these were only found in big cities. Times have changed and shown that there is a big demand for such services and they are very profitable. I came close to starting such a business myself, but decided I couldn’t run both. 

I confess that I am happiest in independent practices that give me clinical freedom and flexibility to make the best decisions I can in the circumstances. In the fast-paced environment of out-of-hours clinics you need to have the confidence of both the practices you are covering and the clients themselves, and so you really need to feel that the business owner will support and trust you in this. Consequently, I didn’t last long under the constraints of corporate veterinary structure. 

My working life

I have been incredibly lucky to have found my niche: international travel, testing out new rides, checking horse welfare standards and occasionally treating animals overseas. It’s my dream job. Many of Unicorn’s clients return again and again, sharing my love of seeing the world from the unique perspective of the back of a horse. The excitement of riding close to game on safari is unparalleled, and contrasts with dressage on Iberian horses or riding in Iceland at the tolt (a smooth four-beat pace of the Icelandic horse) across Game of Thrones scenery. I settled into a routine of flexible weekend veterinary work and was doing both until quite recently. 

'Working nights and weekends was perfect while I got my business off the ground and flexible enough to fit around travelling'

Advice for new vets in emergency work 

Volunteering or working in developing nations can really give you perspective, gratitude and an amazing feeling of making a difference and I found it made me want to do more. In the end, you have to trust your training and go for it! 

When doing emergency work you have to be good with people and calm them down. My favourite mantra is ‘take the emergency out of the situation’ – one of my examples is to use needle decompression to try to ensure an animal doesn’t die in front of you, and which enables you to have a sane conversation with the owner and team.

You shouldn’t take it personally if an owner comes in shouting – underneath they are just worried. I’m concerned for the profession at the moment as the costs to clients are spiralling out of control. Stories of insurance cover being swallowed by stabilisation rather than fixing the animal are very damaging. 

You become quick at assessing animals that are unstable, especially when doing a ward round at the start of a shift. If there is any possibility an animal might die, I believe it’s really important to warn the owner. As always, communication is key, along with managing expectations. My preference is to have owners visit their pet in hospital, just as you would if a family member was ill. 

Go part time if you find emergency vet work too much, as it gives  you an opportunity to recover.

'My favourite mantra is "take the emergency out of the situation"'

Avoid negativity

The Monty Python song Always Look on the Bright Side of Life makes me smile. I came to a decision that I wouldn't engage with negativity in my life. I consider and protect against the downsides as far as possible in my endeavours so I’m able to get perspective. 

I realise I’m incredibly lucky, but I’m also very determined. I get stressed and down sometimes, like everyone, but I try to clear my mind with regular exercise, yoga, knitting and audio books. I don’t do social media as I find it draining.

I try to keep a confident, positive outlook on life, but I also nurture these feelings and I enjoy being around like-minded people. I love stimulating conversation and travel enables that. Luckily horse-riding holidays seem to attract interesting people!

Challenges

Having two careers meant I delayed having a family and I am now taking a sabbatical from veterinary work as something had to give. However, I really miss the ‘hands on’ aspects of surgery and the feeling of helping people and their pets.

All sectors are struggling with recruitment post-Brexit and in the aftermath of Covid-19. I try to attract staff who are keen horse riders; they usually can’t wait to try out rides, which is of course a perk of the job. The travel industry shut down during the pandemic, but it is finding its feet again, and the riding holiday business has recovered along with the rest of the travel sector.

What’s next?

We are always adding to the Unicorn Trails ride portfolio and I’ve recently been back to South Africa to try out an exciting new safari. I need to be sure that the horses are well cared for and enjoy their job, as well as check the standards of accommodation. 

We are developing an online booking system and have offices in North America and Sweden now. I occasionally mentor a recent graduate to keep an interest in the veterinary world and might be tempted back when my daughter is older.