Dr. Yolandi Smit qualified from the University of Pretoria, Faculty of Veterinary Science in 2009 and joined the University as an intern in Equine Medicine and Surgery in 2010. She completed her MSc during her internship. After completing the internship, Dr. Smit spent two years in a Equine private practise before returning to the University in 2013 as a resident (MMedVet) in Equine Surery. She is currently a lecturer in equine surgery for under- and postgraduate students. Dr. Smit has three publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Dr. Smit’s MSc degree focused on radiographic changes in yearling thoroughbred horses at sales, for which >500 prepurchase radiographs were evaluated.  Her research expanded further to evaluate intra-articular platelet-rich plasma in osteoarthritic joints to explore future treatment protocols for horses affected by osteoarthritis. Her specific interest in wildlife lead to the first publication of an osteochondroma in a white rhinocerus.