Horse Insights

Most horse owners have their first priority, even before getting their first horse – in ensuring they have a generally qualified animal doctor – a veterinarian. My research into vets for this site did not include vets who specialize in research, although they are indeed needed.

I focused my research on clinical veterinarians. And I narrowed that down, too. I did not include vets whose primary practice is in small domestic animals or zoo animals. I maintained, for the most part, my focus on vets who specialize in nothing other than horses. If you want to search out these areas of veterinary doctors, feel free. So, what did I find out?

Qualifications

Veterinarians are Doctors of Veterinary Medicine who first get a bachelor’s degree – preferably in the Sciences. Then they apply and are accepted into a 4 year DVM curriculum in an accredited school. The final year of this 4 year course is the year in which the vet determines if they want to be an equine vet – they determine their specialty.

The end of it all, they must pass an oral and a written exam to be licensed to practice veterinary medicine. Whew – similar to a human doctor, the schooling is intense, including hands on training. And similar to human doctors, they use many similar instruments – stethoscopes ultrasound machinery and the like.

At the end of it all, they are ready to practice – they are, in the interests of my study – Clinical veterinarians. But wait, there is even more specialization to equine veterinarians. They include surgery, internal medicine, orthopedics, reproduction or ophthalmology, to name a few.

Working Conditions

Once qualified, equine veterinarians spend a good percent of their time driving between their office and farms or ranches. They work outdoors in all kinds of weather. They perform surgery under unsanitary conditions. They work with animals that are frightened or in pain. They risk being bitten. Or kicked. Or stomped on. Their office is usually a combination of their vehicle as well as a building.

It is the vet who performs surgery or position fractures on your horse. They test for and vaccinate against diseases. They administer medications to prevent and cure disease. They consult with the owners regarding animal production, feeding, and housing issues. They treat and dress wounds; set fractures; perform surgery, including cesarean sections on birthing animals. It is the veterinarian who euthanizes the animals when necessary. They dispose of the carcass.

In partnership with the horse owner, an Equine Veterinarian is responsible for the physical health of the horse – for preventative health care as well as treatment of diseases and injuries. From world-class equine athletes to a child’s prized pony, equine veterinarians ensure the health of a variety of horse breeds involved in a broad range of disciplines.  Assisted by equine chiropractors, massage therapists, even dentists, these equine practitioners assure us of a sound animal for years of pleasure and companionship.

So are we grateful for our vet? You bet. Do we sometimes take him for granted? Sadly, you bet. And do we now understand a little more of what it takes to be a vet? YOU BET!