Do You Want to Become an Equine Veterinarian? Start Here

Do You Love Horses?

Do you enjoy science and helping animals? If so, becoming an equine veterinarian might be the perfect career for you! Getting into veterinary school is competitive, but there are things you can do to start preparing right now. The most important areas to focus on are education and experience, plus a few extra things that can help you stand out.

Education: Build a Strong Foundation

Becoming a veterinarian requires many years of school and starts with habits and routines that you are building right now. Good grades are important. Veterinary school classes are challenging, especially in science subjects like biology and chemistry. Doing well in school now helps prepare you for those future classes.

Some veterinary schools, like UC Davis, require a minimum college grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 on a 4-point scale (A=4). However, most accepted students have much higher GPAs of 3.5 or above.

What you can do now to build a strong foundation:

• Take your classes seriously, especially science courses.
• Develop strong study habits.
• Ask for help from your teachers, classmates, study groups, or tutors when you don’t understand something.

Experience: Get Hands-on With Animals

Veterinary schools don’t just want students who are good at school. They want students who are compassionate, care about animals and the people who love them, and understand the realities of the job.

Most schools require a minimum number of hours working with a veterinarian before you apply. For example, UC Davis requires at least 180 hours, but many applicants submit hundreds or even thousands of hours as part of their applications.

These experiences help show that you:

• Are committed to becoming a veterinarian.
• Understand the job, which can be messy and emotionally challenging.
• Are ready for the responsibility of caring for animals.

To count for veterinary school applications, your experience must be:

• Hands-on or observation.
• Supervised by a veterinarian.
• In-person (online activities don’t count).

Be sure to keep track of your hours. You will need to accurately report them in your applications.

How to Start Gaining Experience Right Now

Even if you’re not old enough to work at a clinic yet, there are lots of ways to start gaining experience with animals:

• Take care of your own pets.
• Participate in sports or recreational activities with animals, such as horseback riding.
• Pet-sit for friends or neighbors.
• Volunteer at an animal shelter or rescue.
• Join clubs like 4-H, FFA, or Pony Club.
• Visit or tour a veterinary clinic.
• Attend animal-related events, summer camps, and programs.
• Shadow a veterinarian or veterinary technician.

These early experiences help you learn what you like about jobs in veterinary medicine and what you don’t.

Attitude Matters

It is important to remember that having a positive attitude can open doors. Always try to be:

• Polite.
• Responsible.
• Willing to help.

Don’t be afraid of the “dirty work” like cleaning stalls or cages. Showing that you’re hardworking and dependable can lead to bigger opportunities.

Being a reliable team player will also help you build relationships with veterinarians and mentors. You’ll need strong letters of recommendation when you apply to vet school, usually at least one from a veterinarian who knows you well.

Not Sure Yet? That’s Okay!

Not everyone who loves animals becomes a veterinarian. There are many amazing careers in animal health, such as:

• Veterinary technicians.
• Animal behaviorists.
• Researchers.
• Clinic or hospital managers.
• And more!

When you meet people in animal-related jobs that sound interesting, ask them how they got there, what they like about their jobs, and if they have advice for someone that is considering future career paths.

Other Things to Know

Some veterinary schools might also evaluate:

• Scores on a standardized test known as the graduate record examination, or GRE. Currently, only one school requires the GRE and a few others recommend it. UC Davis does not require applicants to submit GRE scores. A full list is available at https://admin.applytovetschool.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/General-Information-Chart-VMCAS-2026.pdf.
• Participation in clubs, leadership opportunities, or community service

Final Thoughts

If becoming an equine veterinarian is your dream, it’s okay to start small, but it also won’t hurt to start now. Every class you take and every experience you gain brings you one step closer to a career in veterinary medicine.

This article originally appeared in the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Spring 2026 Horse Report.

Related Reading

• Commentary: The Importance of Credentialed Veterinary Technicians in Equine Practice
• Perspectives on Entering Equine Practice
• Early Career Insights: What Are MentorVet and Decade One?

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