How to become an equine veterinarian

Is becoming an equine veterinarian right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Overview
What do equine veterinarians do?

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How to become an Equine Veterinarian

Becoming an equine veterinarian involves a genuine passion for working with horses and a specific educational pathway, including undergraduate and veterinary school education. Here is an overview:

High School Diploma or Equivalent
Earn a high school diploma or equivalent. High school education provides a foundation in basic communication and math and organizational skills, and it lays the groundwork for further learning.

Bachelor's Degree
Obtain a relevant bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Since not all schools offer an undergraduate program in veterinary medicine, aspiring veterinarians may opt for a degree in equine science. Other degree options include animal sciences, zoology, or biology. Typical prerequisite coursework for veterinary school includes classes in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.

Animal Experience
Gain hands-on experience working with animals, especially horses. This can be acquired through internships, volunteer work, or employment on farms, in stables, or with veterinary clinics.

Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT)
Prepare for and take the Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT). This standardized test assesses prospective veterinary students’ academic and scientific knowledge in areas such as biology, chemistry, and physics, as well as reading comprehension, quantitative reasoning, and problem-solving abilities.

Apply to Veterinary School
It's important to note that admission to veterinary school is competitive, and meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. Applicants often need a strong academic record, relevant animal experience, letters of recommendation, and a well-prepared application.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) Degree
Apply to and complete a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at an accredited veterinary school. These programs typically last four years and include a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical experience. Core coursework focuses on subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, surgery, and clinical skills. Practical experience in various aspects of veterinary medicine, including care of large animals like horses, is gained through clinical rotations and externships in farm animal or equine veterinary clinics or large animal hospitals associated with the veterinary school.

Specialization (Optional)
After completing veterinary school, some equine veterinarians choose to pursue postgraduate education and training to specialize in equine-focused fields, such as surgery, dentistry, or reproductive care.

Licensing Exam
After completing the DVM program, graduates must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE) or a state-specific licensing exam to become licensed to practise veterinary medicine.

Seek Employment or Start a Practice
Look for employment opportunities in private practices, large animal hospitals, clinics, or other settings where large animal and specifically equine veterinary care is provided. Some veterinarians choose to start their own practices.

Build a Professional Network
Establish connections within the equine veterinary community, including colleagues, mentors, and industry professionals. Networking can provide support, guidance, and lead to potential job opportunities.

Certifications
There are certifications available for equine veterinarians who choose to specialize in specific areas of veterinary medicine. These certifications are typically obtained through advanced education, training, submitting case logs, and passing rigorous examinations. Board-certified veterinarians are recognized for their commitment to excellence, expertise, and advanced knowledge in a particular field. They often use the title ‘Diplomate’ of the respective college or board.

Here are some board / college certifications that may be pursued by equine veterinarians:

  • American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) – The ABVP offers board certification in various specialty areas, including the ABVP-Equine for vets with a focus on horses.
  • American College of Veterinary Preventive Medicine (ACVPM) – The ACVPM is a veterinary specialty organization offering board certification in preventive medicine with the option of a specialty in epidemiology.
  • American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) – The ACVECC awards certification in emergency and critical care.
  • American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS) – Veterinarians specializing in surgery can seek board certification through the ACVS, which offers certification in large animal surgery and other surgical disciplines.
  • American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) – The ACVIM provides board certification in internal medicine, with subspecialties such as cardiology, oncology, neurology, and other areas.
  • American College of Theriogenologists (ACT) – Veterinarians with a focus on reproduction and theriogenology, which encompasses expertise in reproductive physiology and management, can become board-certified by the ACT.
  • American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD) – Veterinarians focusing on dermatology can seek board certification through the ACVD.
  • American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) – The ACVO offers board certification in veterinary ophthalmology for veterinarians specializing in eye care.
  • American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) – For veterinarians specializing in dentistry, the AVDC offers board certification in veterinary dentistry.
  • American College of Veterinary Behaviorists (ACVB) – Veterinarians interested in behavioral medicine can pursue board certification through the ACVB.

The following are non-board / non-college certifications:

  • Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner (CERP) – Programs that lead to this certification, offered by various institutions and universities, cover areas such as physical therapy, rehabilitation techniques, and therapeutic modalities.
  • American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (AAVA) – The AAVA, an organization focused on promoting acupuncture in veterinary medicine, offers the Fellow of the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture (FAAVA)

Professional Organizations
The following prominent organizations provide resources, advocacy, support, continuing education opportunities focusing on advancements and new treatments in veterinary medicine, and a platform for networking and professional development.

  • American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) – The AAEP is a leading global organization for equine veterinarians.
  • International Society for Equitation Science (ISES) – ISES focuses on the scientific study of horse behavior and training.
  • American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) – The AVMA is the primary professional organization for veterinarians in the United States, encompassing various specialties, including equine veterinary medicine.
  • Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society (VECCS) – The VECCS is dedicated to the advancement of emergency and critical care medicine.