A "great and unexpected honour"
Dr Harris has made considerable contributions to equine nutrition over a period of 30 years.
A former president of the British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) has been honoured for her contribution to equine nutrition over the past 30 years at an awards ceremony in London.
Dr Pat Harris received the Veterinary Award at this year's Animal Health Trust UK Equestrian Awards. She said it was a "great and unexpected honour".
"I am passionate about the important role that nutrition can play in the health, welfare, behaviour and performance of all horses from the child's pony to the elite Olympic horse and I was therefore really pleased that work on equine nutrition was recognised through this Veterinary Achievement award from the AHT."
She added that the award was "especially relevant as I started my veterinary nutrition career effectively when working for my PhD at the AHT many years ago".
Dr Harris is a European Specialist in Veterinary Clinical and Comparative Nutrition and Mars Horsecare's current director of science. She is also the author of more than 500 scientific papers, abstracts and book chapters.
The AHT awards last week were attended by more than 400 people from the equestrian world.
Chloe Bowler, AHT's corporate fundraising manager, commented: "The AHT UK Equestrian Awards is the flagship event in our fundraising calendar, raising vital funds for our work fighting disease and injury in animals. We are thrilled that it has been so well supported yet again.
"We are already looking forward to celebrating equestrian excellence in 2015".
Veterinary practices are being urged to help owners safely dispose of any unused and expired pet medicines - not just antibiotics - during November's Animal Medicines Amnesty. 
