Veterinarian (Equine): How Does One Become an Equine Veterinarian?

Equine veterinarians are animal doctors who provide medical care for horses. The education path for becoming an equine veterinarian includes undergraduate education followed by veterinary school, and possibly additional training through internship programs. Veterinarians who want to specialize in a particular area of equine medicine, such as surgery, must complete post-graduate training in residency programs.

Step 1: Prepare in Secondary School

Preparation for becoming an equine veterinarian can begin as early as middle school. A strong grasp of science is important for further veterinarian education. In high school, students may further prepare for a career in equine medicine by continuing to perform well in math and science courses, specifically in biology. Joining science and math clubs may also be beneficial.

Step 2: Take College Science Courses

While no specific major is necessary for pre-veterinary degrees, it's 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. Admission requirements vary by school, so students may benefit from consulting with a college counselor before planning coursework.

Step 3: Obtain Veterinary Medical Training

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), admission to veterinary school has become increasing competitive in the past few decades as the number of applicants has outgrown the number of colleges (www.bls.gov). In 2007, only one-third of applicants were admitted, reported the BLS. 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.

Step 4: Complete an Internship

Some veterinary school graduates choose to enter clinical practice directly after earning a D.V.M. or V.M.D and obtaining state licensure. 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. The American Association of Equine Practitioners offers a program that matches prospective interns with licensed practitioners (www.aaep.org).

Step 5: 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.

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