Description
Diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases and injuries in horses across life stages and disciplines. Provide ambulatory and hospital-based care, including lameness and performance medicine, dentistry, reproduction, emergency services, and regulatory health certifications; may conduct clinical research and oversee barn biosecurity.
- • Perform comprehensive exams on horses to diagnose illness, injury, or lameness.
- • Treat medical conditions with medications, IV/IM therapies, wound care, and surgical procedures.
- • Conduct lameness evaluations, including gait analysis, flexion tests, and diagnostic nerve or joint blocks.
- • Operate and interpret radiography, ultrasound, and endoscopy for equine patients.
- • Perform field surgeries such as castrations, laceration repairs, and minor orthopedic procedures.
- • Manage emergencies, including colic, fractures, foaling complications, and acute wounds.
- • Administer vaccinations (tetanus, EEE/WEE, WNV, rabies, influenza, EHV) and develop herd vaccination protocols.
- • Collect and submit samples (blood, feces, urine, swabs, biopsies) for laboratory analysis, including fecal egg counts.
- • Provide dentistry, including oral exams, floating, extractions, and periodontal care.
- • Design nutrition and conditioning plans tailored to life stage and performance goals.
- • Advise on parasite control and biosecurity for barns, training facilities, and events.
- • Provide reproductive services: breeding soundness exams, estrus management, pregnancy diagnosis, and neonatal care.
- • Conduct pre-purchase and insurance exams with detailed documentation and imaging.
- • Issue health certificates, perform Coggins testing, and ensure regulatory compliance for travel and shows.
- • Collaborate with farriers, trainers, and rehabilitation teams to optimize performance and hoof care.
- • Euthanize horses humanely and counsel owners on end-of-life decisions.
- • Conduct necropsies or coordinate postmortem diagnostics to determine cause of death.
- • Educate clients and barn staff on disease prevention, zoonoses, first aid, and safe handling.
- • Train and supervise veterinary technicians and assistants in equine handling and procedures.
- • Manage practice operations or mobile services, including scheduling, inventory, billing, and records.
- • Participate in continuing education and, when applicable, clinical research or trials in equine medicine.
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Agriculture
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
