Veterinarian

Equine Vet

Equine Vet Offers Specialized Field Of Medicine

Many veterinarians who choose a specialty study to become an equine vet, responsible for the care of horses from the time they are born until they pass away. There are some illnesses and injuries unique to horses, and an equine vet is involved in more studies than required to become certified as a veterinarian. In most states there are tests for specialized veterinarian medicine and those wanting to treat horses will have to pass it and obtain a separate license in the state in which they practice.

By earning a bachelors degree in science as well as physical or animal science a person can then attend another four years of veterinarian school, to earn a Doctorate in Veterinarian Medicine. Depending on the state in which they will practice, additional internship and residency may be required before being issued their vet’s license. In order to become an equine vet, additional study, along with passing a specialized test for horses and receiving another license, also requires an internship and they must complete a residency program.

While some equine vets will open their own private practice, others may look to join an animal hospital or a multi-vet office to continue to learn while beginning to earn a living as an equine vet.

Options Open For Horse Doctors

For those with a license and experience as an equine vet, there are many options available for future employment. There is a need for their services at racetracks to take of any potential injuries that occur during a race. They can also work for, or as a private veterinarian for horse owners that race them or enter them in shows.

They are the ones owners count on to offer preventative medicine to maintain the animal’s health and ready for their appearance in races, shows or for pleasure riding. An equine vet also has the responsibility to determine if the horse is physically capable of the competition for which they are intended. From birth until death, they also deal with the gestational process, insuring any foal is delivered without complications.

Many equine vet offices pay veterinarians more than those without the specialized license, but private horse owners and trainers believe in paying an equine vet as much, if not more, than they pay their own physician. Investing in a healthy, quality horse can be huge and protecting that investment, as well as the health of the animal is usually seen as a necessity with little regard to the price tag.