4075 Iron Works Parkway • Lexington, KY 40511
Phone: 859-233-0147 • Fax: 859-233-1968
e-mail: aaepoffice@aaep.org

Official Definition of an Equine Practitioner

An equine practitioner is a graduate, licensed veterinarian who devotes the greatest portion of his or her professional endeavor to the equine species, whether it be practice in the field, in research, in regulatory medicine, in veterinary education or other professional pursuits.

In human medicine, gene therapy, genetic mapping, imaging systems and therapeutic technologies are promising a quality of life not imagined in the recent past. The equine practitioner, too, is part of these developments. Veterinary researchers in the laboratory are developing, refining and perfecting methods to improve the quality of life for their equine patients. The result is that veterinarians are saving horses today whose injuries and diseases would have been life threatening a decade ago.

A veterinarian’s formal education does not end with the awarding of a veterinary degree. To keep abreast of current medical technology and advances, veterinarians, like human physicians, are required to continue their education by earning a minimum number of hours of continuing education credit per year. This number is regulated by each state.

Although all equine veterinarians have a foundation in general veterinary medicine, some specialize in certain areas such as surgery, ophthalmology, reproduction or internal medicine, to name just a few. Certain organizations require approval from the professional board to certify a specialist or practitioner’s expertise.

Diagnosis and treatment of equine problems require skills beyond knowledge of anatomy, physiology, chemistry and pharmacology. Equine veterinarians must be savvy fact finders, asking horse owners the right questions to extract the necessary information to assist in diagnosis. They must be able to communicate technical information in laymen’s language. Furthermore, keen insight and sensitivity are absolute necessities in handling a 1,000-pound animal that is in discomfort or pain.

Like other health care providers, equine veterinarians face ethical and professional dilemmas. Simple black-and-white solutions don’t always exist, and veterinarians sometimes disagree among themselves about the best treatment. Veterinarians take an oath under which they must comply throughout their career. The American Association of Equine Practitioners enforces ethical behavior of its members, denying association membership to any practitioner found guilty of unethical behavior.

Many equine practitioners go beyond treating individual horses to providing leadership in many aspects of the horse industry. Equine veterinarians are becoming increasingly involved in helping to solve problems and plan for the future in such areas as ethics and welfare, racing, and other equine sports. Many veterinarians are generous with their time and avail themselves to civic groups, youth groups, national organizations, national breed associations and the United States Department of Agriculture. And, unlike most of their human counterparts, the equine veterinarian still makes house calls.

Copyright © 1996-2009 American Association of Equine Practitioners.
All rights reserved.
American Association of Equine Practitioners
4075 Iron Works Parkway • Lexington, KY 40511
Phone: 859-233-0147 • Fax: 859-233-1968
e-mail: aaepoffice@aaep.org