Should I Be an Equine Veterinarian?
Equine veterinarians are animal doctors who provide medical care for horses. They examine, test and occasionally operate on or euthanize the animals. Travel to ranches and farms is often necessary, and equine vets may have to work outdoors in various types of weather conditions. In addition, surgeries sometimes have to be performed on site under dubious levels of cleanliness.
Career Requirements
| Degree Level | Doctor of Veterinary Medicine |
| Licensure (Certification) | Licensure required; certification available through the American Veterinary Medical Association. |
| Experience | Internships or residency programs |
| Key Skills | Compassion; decision-making, communication, management, and problem-solving skills; manual dexterity |
| Median Salary (2018) | $93,830 (for all veterinarians) |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), O*Net Online
Equine veterinarians are known for their compassion for animals. They are capable decision makers and problem solvers. Communication skills are important, as are management skills and manual dexterity. In May 2018, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that veterinarians in general earned a median salary of $93,830.
Steps to Be an Equine Veterinarian
The education and training required for a career as an equine veterinarian are fairly rigid.
Step 1: Earn a Bachelor's Degree
While no specific major is necessary for pre-veterinary degrees, it is helpful to have undergraduate training in the sciences, such as biology, chemistry, physics, genetics, zoology and nutrition. Prerequisites for veterinary school may include coursework in math, English, humanities, social science and business. Most equine veterinarians hold bachelor's degrees before entering veterinary school. However, some veterinary colleges admit students with only 45-90 undergraduate credits.
Complete an internship.
According to the BLS, equine veterinarians who complete an internship program before entering the practice generally experience greater employment opportunities and higher pay later in their careers. Internships typically last one year and offer paid, practical experience in equine medicine.
Step 2: Earn a Veterinary Medicine Degree
According to the BLS, admission to veterinary school has become increasingly competitive in the past few decades because the number of applicants has outgrown the number of colleges. Those with bachelor's degrees have the best chances for admission. Admission requirements vary by school, but all applicants must sit for a standardized test, such as the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) or VCAT (Veterinary College Admission Test).
Veterinary school generally lasts four years and results in a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree. The first two years of veterinary school typically take place in the classroom and focus on biomedical science courses and preparation for clinical practice. In the last two years, students usually participate in clinical clerkships, gaining hands-on, animal care experience under the supervision of licensed veterinarians. During the fourth year, students can choose to complete clinical rotations in equine medicine, among other specialties. Some veterinary school graduates choose to enter clinical practice directly after earning a D.V.M. or V.M.D and obtaining state licensure.
Step 3: Obtain a License
All 50 states and the District of Columbia require veterinarians to be licensed. The requirements to earn a license vary from state to state, but all aspiring veterinarians must complete a veterinary training program and pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam. The exam is offered by the National Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (NBVME).
Step 4: Consider a Specialty
Some equine veterinarians pursue advanced training in a specialty, such as internal medicine, surgery, neurology, dentistry or preventive medicine. To become specialists, veterinarians must complete 3-4 years of residency training in an area of expertise approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Equine veterinarians are then eligible to apply for board certification in their specialties.
Equine veterinarians typically hold a bachelor's degree in a related field, with an emphasis on science and math, although some schools will consider applicants who have earned a minimum number of undergraduate credits. Veterinary school takes four years to complete and includes a combination of classroom and clinical training. State licensing is required, and with additional training and testing, board certification in a specialty, such as equine care, is available.
