Dual Passions: Veterinarians Who Ride

This article originally appeared in the Summer 2026 issue of EquiManagement. Sign up here for a FREE subscription to EquiManagement’s quarterly digital or print magazine and any special issues.

Equine veterinary medicine has a long-standing reputation as an all-consuming vocation that demands great personal sacrifice and leaves little time for other pursuits. For passionate equestrians who choose to become horse doctors, riding and showing can quickly slip down the priority list. But at a time when professionals value work-life balance more than ever, busy veterinarians don’t have to choose between building a sustainable career and pursuing their goals in the saddle. In fact, the two can often go hand in hand thanks to a concept called work-life ­integration—blending personal and professional responsibilities to increase flexibility (AAEP 2024; Fallon-O’Leary 2025). We’ve spoken with four established practitioners who’ve overcome challenges to merge their professional responsibilities with their personal riding goals. 

Lori Bidwell, DVM, DACVAA, CVA