subject: Equine Veterinarian [print this page] Horses and competition just seem to go together, and that's especially true in the equine medical profession. With the worldwide horse population estimated at an impressive 65-75 million, including about 10 million horses in the United States and more than a million in Australia, there's a definite need for more horse doctors. Yet there are fewer than three dozen veterinary schools in the United States and only half a dozen in Australia.
For the student interested in becoming an equine veterinarian, those figures add up to some very stiff competition, with only one-third of applicants to veterinary colleges being accepted in any given year. For the horses, those same figures virtually ensure that only the most dedicated, hard-working horse lovers will be tending to their health concerns, so if you fall into that category, you owe it to the animals you love to take on this challenge.
Veterinary candidates must demonstrate academic excellence and a strong aptitude for biology, science, and math. Schools also look for hands-on experience with animals or health-related work, even if it's on a volunteer or internship basis. Post-secondary educational requirements vary from country to country, but in the United States a veterinary student usually studies for four yeas to earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or, less commonly, a Veterinary Medical Doctor (VMD) degree and then must pass a national board examination.
Veterinarians can work at any number of facilities, including clinics, ranches, or farms, or they can enter into a private or joint practice. Some graduates of veterinary school continue their education by earning more advanced degrees for specialties such as surgery, pathology, ophthalmology, or research. Veterinarians can choose to pass on their knowledge by teaching at a university, or they can improve the quality of life for horses by conducting research into equine medicine.
For travel enthusiasts, training in specialized areas can provide the occupational and financial motivation for visiting other countries. Although veterinary credentials are not universally applicable, there are a number of reciprocal arrangements. Veterinarians from the United Kingdom and New Zealand, for instance, can practice in Australia. This sort of geographical freedom makes things easier for veterinarians who work on a seasonal time frame, and it improves the quality of services available to horse owners. Horse breeders can follow the breeding season and tend to horses on an international scale, timing their services to optimize results.
Pros
Opportunity for specialization in many areas
Good pay
Cons
Fierce competition for veterinary school admission
