About Equine Veterinarians

Duties

• The patient comes first, according to the ethical and professional guidelines established by the American Association of Equine Practitioners. Equine veterinarians must first minimize pain or fear for their client, then proceed to diagnose disease or conditions and offer a suitable treatment.

Equipment

• Because large animal veterinarians often perform their services on location, their equipment is portable. Many equine veterinarians drive a van, truck or trailer equipped with medical supplies, medications and tools. This can include surgical instruments, diagnostic equipment, ultrasound machines and laboratory supplies such as microscopes.

  A horse trailer transports patients back to the clinic so veterinarians can perform surgeries or dental work or use large, immobile lab machines.

Patient Relations

• Like physicians who care for humans, equine veterinarians observe a similar client-veterinarian-patient relationship. Maintaining accurate, confidential and timely medical records, writing prescriptions, and making arrangements for emergency care top the list for equine veterinarians.

Education

• Equine veterinarian candidates must complete a bachelor's degree or 45 to 90 semester hours of undergraduate work. Most focus on the sciences, including biology, zoology, chemistry or animal nutrition. Then, the veterinarian candidate completes a four-year veterinary medicine degree from an accredited college specializing in veterinary medicine.

  Finally, obtaining a state license allows the equine veterinarian to practice legally in the United States. Some young veterinarians choose to complete an internship after licensing. This creates a solid foundation for completing a three- to four-year residency program that leads to board certification.

  Being in top physical shape and having experience around horses benefits those inquiring about a future as an equine veterinarian, according to the Career with Animals website.

Jobs

• Equine veterinarians work in private practice, at zoos, at racetracks or for laboratories, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Working together with scientists and researchers, some equine veterinarians dedicate their talent and education to furthering knowledge in the industry by testing medications and observing trends in disease progression.

Warnings

• When working with large animals, equine veterinarians risk injury. Horses might kick, step on or bite a veterinarian who is treating a painful wound or administering an injection. Protective clothing, such as boots and chaps, can protect an equine veterinarian from some injuries.