Equine veterinarians specialize in the medical care of horses, and must complete a DVM program, including clinical rotations, and pass national and state exams. Board certification is available through an additional three-year residency program and exam.
An equine veterinarian is a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) specializing in the medical care of horses. Equine mainly applies to horses and ponies; however, donkeys, mules and zebras are also in the Equidae family. Most veterinarians specialize in small or large animals. Some specifically choose equine medicine after fulfilling their basic DVM requirements, while others transition into being an equine veterinarian based on their location and client base.
Most countries have similar programs to obtain your DVM license. In the United States, a bachelor’s degree is a prerequisite for enrollment in the DVM program. It is advantageous to receive your Bachelor of Science degree. At that point, a candidate can apply to an accredited school to begin the DVM curriculum. This program can be completed in four years. Admission to veterinary school includes passing a graduate admissions test. Depending on the school’s requirements, this test may be a Graduate Registration Examination (GRE), Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT), or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).
The first three years involve the core DVM courses plus electives that pertain to equine veterinary medicine or the specialty field you want to pursue. Core classes include a full range of topics involving disease pathology, prevention, alleviation, and clinical therapy. This program also includes ethics and veterinary law.
The fourth year of your DVM curriculum is the tipping point when you specialize to become an equine veterinarian. This is where you focus on clinical rotations directed towards equine veterinary clinical and research. Some candidates will simply pursue major animal specialties, which will include equine medicine, rather than getting more specific at this stage of their education. Others, who have certain goals, will direct all their studies towards equine medicine from this moment on. Once this phase is complete, national and state exams must be passed to obtain a license from the state in which you wish to practice.
Equine veterinarian candidates take advantage of the external placements, internships and residencies available at equine research colleges, specialist equine veterinary clinics, specialist barns, show circuits, therapeutic equestrian centers and rescue facilities. These options are also strongly encouraged for summer field work. Most facilities welcome students.
This rotational opportunity allows the student to observe and apply practices involving testing, vaccination, breeding and foaling, dieting, stable management and grazing. There are times when it is necessary to sacrifice a horse as well. The focus of an equine veterinarian is preventive care. This includes illness and injury. These clinical rotations allow the student to develop professional and practical skills to become an equine veterinarian.
Once you have completed all the requirements to become an equine veterinarian and received your license to begin practicing, you will have the opportunity to become board certified. There is a modest number of board certified equine veterinarians. This advanced educational training is highly recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). This recognition is awarded in an advanced degree known as a “diplomat”. Requirements include an additional three-year residency program, in which they must meet specific training and research criteria. At that point, a rigorous exam must be passed to obtain the title of Diplomat from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
