At age 8, Dr. Ferrin Peterson got an Arabian horse named Saheeh, which means “true” in Arabic, and learned English riding before taking dressage lessons at 10. She remembers her horse was not a talented one, partly because he had conformational inadequacies. “I wanted to correct him so he could be my horse for a long time,” she remembers.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Ferrin Peterson
Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.
To get as much hands-on experience as possible, Dr. Peterson did a number of externships at home and abroad during veterinary school. She is pictured here delivering a foal, No Better Terms ’17, which was born while she was riding at a farm, so she was still in her riding vest.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Ferrin Peterson
Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.
As part of their tradition, fellow jockeys throw an ice bucket on Dr. Peterson after her first win, at Golden Gate Fields. Immediately after, she rushed home to finish studying for a surgery examination the following day.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Ferrin Peterson
Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.
Dr. Peterson rode part time in the Northern California fair circuit during clinics before her fourth year of veterinary school. She is pictured here on a filly named She Sang.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Ferrin Peterson
Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.
To get experience with different horse racing jurisdictions, Dr. Peterson did externships during her second summer in veterinary school, including one in Hong Kong, paid for by travel grants. Here she assists in a tie-back surgery at the Honk Kong Jockey Club.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Ferrin Peterson
Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.
During another externship, Dr. Peterson performs ultrasonography on the limbs of a horse at the Japanese Racing Association.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Ferrin Peterson
Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.
Dr. Peterson assists in surgery at the Dubai Camel Hospital, a veterinary hospital for camels in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is the first hospital in the world that exclusively treats camels. She also attended a camel race with the regulatory veterinarians while in Dubai for an externship.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Ferrin Peterson
Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.
One winter break, Dr. Peterson traveled to Myanmar to work with villagers and their pack horses, mules, and Mongolian ponies, all of which carry supplies to refugees. Here she is crossing a river.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Ferrin Peterson
Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.
Dr. Peterson stands by a pond doing acupuncture on an off-track Thoroughbred in New York. Helping off-track Thoroughbreds is one way she tries to give back.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Ferrin Peterson
Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.
Chris McCarron, a jockey in the Racing Hall of Fame who is a mentor to Dr. Peterson, instructs her while she uses the Equicizer to practice her form and balance. “She’s got a lot of moxie and energy,” McCarron said.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Ferrin Peterson
Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.
Dr. Peterson makes it to the winner’s circle at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Ferrin Peterson
Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.
Dr. Peterson won the Boiling Springs Stakes on Por Que No on June 26, 2021, at Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport, New Jersey.
Photo credit: Photo courtesy of Dr. Ferrin Peterson
Download High Resolution
Please provide credit as indicated with each photo.