Besides her MA, VetMB, and PhD, Merry Smith holds a Cert ES, a DECVS, an AECVDI, and an MRCVS.

She completed her veterinary degree at Cambridge University in 1999, followed by a year’s internship in equine surgery at the University of Pennsylvania and an equine surgical residency at the University of Liverpool (2000-2004). 

She then worked as a hospital-based equine surgeon in private equine practice in the U.K., gaining her European College of Veterinary Surgeon’s diploma in equine surgery during this time. Smith followed her growing interest in equine diagnostic imaging—in particular MRI—and moved to Newmarket in 2006. There she completed a PhD comparing high-field and low-field MRI in the equine distal limb at the Animal Health Trust. 

From 2009-2013 Smith was based at Newmarket Equine Hospital, where she set up and ran the standing low-field MRI and nuclear scintigraphy services and worked as an out-of-hours emergency surgeon. Smith was made a large animal associate of the European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging in 2011. 

Since 2013 she has worked as a freelance equine diagnostic imaging and surgery consultant, based at her home in Hertfordshire. She provides teleradiology and consulting services for various private equine hospitals and clinics in Europe and Australia. In addition, Smith regularly teaches and presents at national and international veterinary conferences and CPD meetings. She has also published papers and book chapters within the field of equine diagnostic imaging and surgery. 

Smith recently served on the Farriers Registration Council and within BEVA council. She is a trustee for World Horse Welfare and chairs its veterinary advisory committee.