Equestrian
BECOMING AN EQUINE VET
So you ’ re training as a veterinary surgeon and you love horses . Why not become an equine vet ?
Well , there are some cold hard facts you may want to consider that could change your mind , so read on to make sure being an equine vet is still your first choice of veterinary profession .
HORSES ARE SPECTACULARLY FRAGILE
Once in practice , you will find that an alarmingly high proportion of your equine clients have death wishes . If there is something in their environment they can hurt themselves on , they will . It ’ s not enough to injure one leg , they ’ ll do all four – something different each time to keep you and the owner guessing . After just a few months as a practising equine vet , you will wonder how horses ever survived in the wild .
ONE END BITES , THE OTHER KICKS
The old saying about horses being dangerous at both ends is true , but the middle isn ’ t exactly a picnic when swung into you at speed . The sweetest horse in the world won ’ t be happy to see you if he ’ s hurt or frightened . On top of that , you ’ re not usually doing something to him he ’ ll enjoy , whether that ’ s an injection or tending to a wound , so you can possibly forgive him for reacting in a less than accommodating way .
BE PREPARED TO TRAVEL
As an equine vet your patients can rarely come to you , and horses are kept in a glorious range of environments , from luxurious stables with immaculate driveways to open moorland where bouncing over the terrain is enough to shake the fillings from your teeth . As an equine vet you will travel , lots , and there ’ s a good reason a lot of experienced practitioners resort to 4x4s . If this hasn ’ t put you off , you are perfectly equipped to join the army of equine vets out there who return from their daily exertions stressed , exhausted , battered , bruised and slightly travel sick – but immensely satisfied . Go ahead ! www . visitilife . com 85