Becoming a Horse Veterinary Technician: A Comprehensive Guide

Becoming a horse veterinary technician requires a strong foundation in animal science and veterinary technology. To start your journey, you'll need to earn an associate's degree in veterinary technology from an accredited program.

You'll spend two years studying a curriculum that includes anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology, as well as hands-on training in laboratory and clinical settings. This will prepare you for the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) and give you the skills to assist veterinarians in horse care.

To gain practical experience, consider volunteering or interning at a veterinary clinic or equine hospital. This will give you a chance to work with horses and veterinarians, and learn the ropes in a real-world setting.

The current state of training for equine veterinary technicians and assistants is a bit lacking, with most AVMA/CVMA accredited programs focusing very little on the necessary skills and training.

These skills are essential for Assistants, Technicians, and other Staff to master, which is why the AAEVT has designed a certification program for the equine veterinary community outside of the accredited AVMA/CVMA programs.

The AAEVT's certification program, hosted by VetStream, aims to fill this gap and provide the foundational training needed as an equine veterinary technician or assistant.

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Equine veterinary assistant training is often lacking in current AVMA/CVMA accredited programs, focusing very little on the academics, skills, resources, and training required for proficiency.

These programs tend to leave a gap in the skills needed by equine practitioners and essential for assistants, technicians, and other staff to master.

The AAEVT has designed a certification program for the equine veterinary community outside of the accredited AVMA/CVMA programs to address this gap.

This certification program is hosted by VetStream and aims to provide the necessary training and resources for equine veterinary assistants and technicians to become proficient in their roles.

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Once you've completed the training program, it's time to receive your certification.

You'll receive a digital certificate that's valid for two years, after which you'll need to renew it by completing continuing education requirements.

Your certification will be recognized by the industry as a mark of excellence, demonstrating your expertise and commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest developments.

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After receiving your certification, you'll be eligible to apply for various job roles that require this certification, such as a Certified Professional or a Senior Specialist.

You can also use your certification to enhance your career prospects, increase your earning potential, and gain recognition within your organization.

The certification process typically takes 2-4 weeks, depending on the training program and the issuing organization.

With your certification in hand, you'll be well-equipped to tackle complex projects and take on leadership roles within your organization.

As an equine veterinary technician, it's essential to have a solid foundation of knowledge and skills. Current AVMA/CVMA accredited programs tend to focus little on the academics, skills, resources, and training required for proficiency as an equine veterinary assistant or technician.

To become proficient, you'll need to master skills such as handling, physiology, behavior, and nutrition, as well as vital signs, physical exams, and vaccine/deworming protocols. This is why the AAEVT has designed a certification program for the equine veterinary community outside of accredited programs.

Some key areas to focus on include equine anatomy and physiology, medications and pharmacology, common conditions and diseases, and emergency medicine. You'll also need to know how to care for newborn foals, breeding and reproduction, nutrition, and euthanasia.

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Understanding the basics of horse husbandry is crucial for any equine professional. You'll want to start by learning about the different aspects of horse care, including handling, physiology, behavior, and nutrition.

Handling is a key aspect of horse care, and it's essential to learn how to safely and effectively handle horses. This includes understanding body language and how to approach a horse calmly.

Horses are complex animals with unique physiology, and it's essential to understand how they tick. This includes learning about their vital signs, such as heart rate and temperature, as well as how to perform a physical exam.

Behavior is another critical aspect of horse care, and understanding how horses behave can help you build trust and strengthen your relationship with them. This includes learning about common horse behaviors and how to manage them.

A well-balanced diet is essential for maintaining your horse's overall health, and learning about basic equine nutrition can help you provide the best possible care. This includes understanding the different types of horse feed and how to create a feeding plan.

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Here are some key areas to focus on when it comes to equine nutrition:

Understanding how to vaccinate and deworm your horse is also crucial for maintaining their health. This includes learning about the different types of vaccines and deworming protocols, as well as how to administer them safely and effectively.

Emergency and disaster preparations are also essential for any equine professional. This includes learning about common emergency situations and how to respond to them, as well as how to create a disaster plan for your horse.

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As you strive to maximize your equine vet tech skills, you're likely to find that having a clear understanding of the parameters is crucial. Each state has its own regulations defining what veterinary technicians can and cannot do, so it's essential to know your state's rules.

Veterinary technicians can help you work more efficiently and effectively to provide your equine patients with the best care possible. If you're not already leveraging their skills to their fullest potential, here are three steps you can take to hire your first technician or expand the role of existing staff.

First, make sure you are familiar with the duties and responsibilities veterinary technicians are legally permitted to perform in your state. The AVMA-AAEP economic report shows that vets with support staff earn more than those without.

Hiring a technician is an investment, and some veterinarians worry that a technician might leave after receiving training. However, turnover is not unique in equine medicine, with employees working for an employer for an average of 4.1 years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Some veterinarians are hesitant to invest in their people to build better or new skills because they figure the person will just leave. But the opposite is often true: if you create a clinic space where everyone is encouraged to learn and feel more like a partner in the decision-making, you'll end up with a highly trained, enthusiastic team who never wants to leave the practice.

Here are the steps to maximize your equine vet tech skills:

As a horse veterinary technician, understanding equine diseases and care is crucial for providing top-notch care to these magnificent animals. Equine anatomy and physiology play a significant role in the development and progression of diseases.

Common conditions and diseases in horses include laminitis, colic, and equine metabolic syndrome. Emergency medicine procedures such as stabilizing a colicky horse or administering oxygen to a foal in distress are essential skills to have.

Foaling and foal management are critical for the survival of newborn foals, and understanding the process can help prevent complications. A foal's first few hours are crucial, and monitoring its temperature, pulse, and respiration rate is vital.

Here are some common equine diseases and their symptoms:

Understanding the causes and symptoms of these diseases can help you provide better care and support to horses in need.

As a horse veterinary technician, you'll be responsible for a wide range of tasks, including taking radiographs for veterinarians to assess, administering and monitoring anesthesia, and collecting diagnostic samples.

In addition to these tasks, you'll also be responsible for conducting lab tests, such as complete blood counts and fecals, and maintaining medical records. This is because horse veterinary technicians perform similar responsibilities to registered nurses in human medicine, ranging from patient care and medical procedures to lab and diagnostic work.

Some specific tasks you may be responsible for include catheter placement, triage emergencies, performing physical exams, and neonatal ICU care. You'll also need to prepare animals, instruments, and equipment for surgery, and provide client education.

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To become a vet tech, you must graduate high school and get admitted to an AVMA-accredited institution. You'll earn an associate degree in veterinary technology, which typically takes two years to complete. Some vet techs also choose to earn a bachelor's degree, which involves more scientific classes or practice management.

Common class topics include anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, animal restraint, radiology, pharmacology, microbiology, clinical pathology, nutrition, anesthesia, and surgical nursing. Most classes include hands-on labs to give you practical experience.

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After graduating, you must sit for the VTNE, a 170-question multiple-choice exam that takes about three hours to complete. This exam is a crucial step in becoming a licensed vet tech.

To maintain your licensure, you must complete a certain amount of continuing education in your career. This varies by state, but in New York, you need to complete 24 hours of CE every three years.

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If you're a vet tech looking to take on more responsibilities, don't be afraid to speak up and ask for a greater role in the practice. Sue Novik, RVT, and Kendra Holman, RVT, share their advice for technicians interested in advancing their careers.

To get started, look for pain points in the practice and identify areas where you can make a difference. This might involve taking on ownership of a specific role or task, as Novik suggests.

Asking for guidance regularly and continuing to seek to improve can help build trust with your supervisors. Novik emphasizes the importance of communicating any concerns or mistakes openly and honestly.

Having open conversations with your boss about your professional goals and aspirations can also help you advance in your career. Holman suggests discussing your vertical positions within the practice where you want to learn and advance.

Showing initiative and a willingness to learn can also open doors to new opportunities. Holman notes that taking the initiative to volunteer, clean, and observe procedures can help veterinarians get to know you and what you can do.

Technicians often have a unique view of the patient's story, whether it's from handling the horse or having small talk with the owner. By leveraging this perspective, you can make a valuable contribution to the practice.

Veterinary technicians perform a wide range of tasks in the veterinary clinic or the field. They take radiographs for veterinarians to assess, administer and monitor anesthesia, administer intramuscular or intravenous injectable medications, and collect diagnostic samples.

Licensed equine veterinary technicians are responsible for conducting lab tests such as complete blood counts and fecals, maintaining medical records, catheter placement, triage emergencies, and performing physical exams. They also provide neonatal ICU care, prepare animals, instruments, and equipment for surgery, and educate clients.

Vet techs are often compared to registered nurses in human medicine, handling similar responsibilities ranging from patient care and medical procedures to lab and diagnostic work. However, they are not called veterinary nurses due to title protection laws in 35 states.

Here are some of the specific tasks that equine veterinary technicians perform:

In solo practices, RVTs can be just as valuable as veterinarians, as seen at Rivendell Equine Veterinary Services where the veterinarian and RVT ride together daily and share responsibilities.

RVTs can take an active role in primary care services, such as performing procedures like dentals, gastric tubes, and uterine flushes, as demonstrated by Kendra Holman at Rivendell Equine Veterinary Services.

Flexibility is key in equine practices of all sizes, with RVTs capable of wearing multiple hats, including practice management, as shown by Kendra Holman's assistance with invoicing and paperwork at Rivendell Equine Veterinary Services.

Nearly half of equine veterinarians run solo practices, according to the 2020 Emergency Coverage Member Survey from the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP).

RVTs can also provide specialized services, such as massage therapy, as seen with Sue Novik at Zeytoonian's Starwood Equine Veterinary Services, who is certified in massage therapy and performs a service no one else in the practice provides.

Extended care services staffed by technicians and assistants can provide peace of mind for clients, as seen at Zeytoonian's Starwood Equine Veterinary Services, where they provide care and medicate animals when clients are out of town.