Questions on being a Equine Vet?
Asked by sporty_chic_077
In my English class we have been assigned a career path presentation project. My interest is to become an Equine Veterinarian. In order to fully understand the every day routine of an Equine Veterinarian: 1. What are positive and negative aspects of being an Equine Veterinarian? 2. Describe the average work day/ working conditions. 3. How did you prepare for your career in Equine sciences (schooling and other jobs that helped you to prepare?) 4. What are the expected income/ availability/ locations? 5. How have trends in this career changed over time If you know an Equine Vet, and they could help me out please contact me :)

Best Answer:
1. What are positive and negative aspects of being an Equine Veterinarian? Well, if you love horses/ the horse industry, then you can be doing what you love. Depending on the area, money might be good. However, injuries are common... some to the point of inability to continue working or even death. Insurance costs can be a nightmare (very expensive). Equine vets are also very busy. They don't often have time for themselves. 2. Describe the average work day/ working conditions. That probably depends on what kind of equine vet you are. If you work on the track, you will see different things than if you are more general. And, if you are an equine surgeon, you see different things than if you only do medical procedures. With horses, I can't see there being an average day. Consider this though... vaccinations, minor injuries, health checks, mare and foal care, reproductive care/assessment, castrations, lots of colic..... 3. How did you prepare for your career in Equine sciences (schooling and other jobs that helped you to prepare?) Undergrad... I took equine classes. As for post undergrad... my class gave me a general background as to what equine medicine and surgery entails. I don't want to do much with horses personally as I can't take a serious injury... and I don't want to devote my time to them alone. Just working with horses is helpful if you want to have them in your career. Getting to know the people too. As for vet school, many have equine focused tracks where people can get the maximum exposure to that part of the field. 4. What are the expected income/ availability/ locations? Well, many vets aren't really equine vets, but they see them. So, many rural areas have vets who see them. Otherwise, they are often found in hospitals, or areas where horses are common (tracks, areas with western or jumper/dressage influence). Income? I think that depends on what you do, how much you do, and how good you are. $50,000 to $60,000 based on one site I found. 5. How have trends in this career changed over time Men to women..... You see plenty of women interested in the field. Also, horses are more pets now than working animals. Better care can be offered. Consider Barbaro.... many years ago, they probably wouldn't have tried to save him since his injury was so bad. But now, they have better technology and can try. Hope that helped.
http://www.siu.edu/departments/coagr/animal/equine/carreer/vet.htm
Answered by sweet_masquerade