Equine practice is struggling to attract and retain the next generation of veterinarians. The number of new veterinary graduates entering the field continues to decline in the United States, and more than half of those who do choose equine practice leave within five years, according to AAEP data. Understanding what draws veterinary students to equine medicine could help the profession identify ways to improve recruitment, retention, and long-term career satisfaction.
In a recent study, researchers from Lincoln Memorial University, the University of Calgary, and the University of Tennessee sought to determine which factors influence veterinary students’ interest in equine practice.
“With fewer than 6% of veterinary graduates entering equine practice, we felt it was important, as educators and students, to better understand what attracts students to the field and what might discourage them from pursuing a career in equine medicine,” said co-author Jean-Yin tan, DVM, DACVIM (LAIM), MBA, of the University of Calgary.
They conducted virtual focus groups with 18 veterinary students who were considering or pursuing careers in equine medicine. The students represented various regions of the United States, with 83% identifying as female and 11% as male. Seventy-eight percent reported having student loans. Their perspectives were shaped by early clinical experiences in various types of practice, externships, and internships.
Focus Group Findings
Students said a passion for horses, strong mentorship and social support, and a healthy work-life balance were the factors that made equine practice appealing. At the same time, they worried about earning potential, gender bias, and whether the demands of an equine veterinary career would be sustainable long term. The study authors noted that these concerns echo those reported by practicing equine veterinarians.
Specific areas of discussion included:
- Work-life balance, mentorship, and social support. Students viewed these factors as important when considering a career in equine practice. Their concerns reflect challenges already reported by equine veterinarians, including demanding workloads and on-call responsibilities, which can contribute to burnout and drive veterinarians from the industry. Strategies such as shared emergency coverage, dedicated emergency services, teletriage, and haul-in care could help reduce the on-call burden and make equine practice more sustainable.
- Inclusivity. Students identified gender, physical stature, and age as potential sources of bias that could undermine their perceived authority and discourage them from pursuing equine practice. They also described the field as potentially exclusive and reliant on personal connections, highlighting the need for greater representation, inclusivity, and efforts to address systemic barriers.
- Compensation and student loans. Starting salaries and internship pay remain lower in equine medicine than in companion animal medicine. These financial disparities can make equine careers, particularly in rural areas, less feasible for graduates with substantial debt. Improving practice efficiency and management and offering access to business courses could help strengthen financial sustainability, although broader market factors continue to affect salaries.
- Passion for horses and learning. Students cited a passion for horses, helping others, and learning as key reasons for pursuing equine medicine, with previous horse experience a strong motivator. Additionally, creating an inclusive environment for students without equestrian backgrounds could help attract a broader range of future equine veterinarians.
Take-Home Message
Students’ views of equine practice largely reflect the challenges reported by currently practicing equine veterinarians, with work-life balance, mentorship, and social support encouraging career interest and concerns about economic viability, gender bias, and lifestyle creating barriers.
“If we want more students to choose equine practice, we need to look beyond simply encouraging their interest in horses and focus on creating workplaces where they feel supported, valued, and able to build a long-term career,” said Tan.
The study authors concluded that strengthening areas such as structured mentorship, equitable and inclusive workplace cultures, and the financial health of equine practices and veterinarians could support student interest in the equine veterinary field. More research is needed to determine how these factors affect long-term retention and workforce sustainability.
Reference
Hothem M, Lestitian C, Burnette A, Tan JY, Graves M, Hunt J, Devine E, Anderson S, Kirkendall K. Factors influencing veterinary student interest in equine practice in the United States: A focus group study. Equine Vet J. 2026 Sep 18. doi: 10.1002/evj.70335
Related Reading
- The Business of Practice: The Distributive Model in Veterinary Education
- The New Educational Loan Environment for Veterinary Students
- Do You Want to Become an Equine Veterinarian? Start Here
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