Often Vet Techs are ambitious students working their way through vet school in the hopes of becoming a veterinarian themselves. They usually work in a more technical atmosphere than the vet assistant and require a bit more training.
What You Need
Often the animals that a vet tech works with are very sick, which requires compassion as well as the strength needed to support upset owners. This is a position which benefits from someone with an aptitude for science, critical thinking skills and a complete knowledge of the equine animal inside & out.
A calm demeanor, strength of body and character and the ability to think on your feet are important characteristics of a good vet tech.
Job Description
Responsible for a multitude of daily tasks around the veterinarian’s office and on location, sometimes their duties are combined with that of the vet assistant and they work closely with the vet themselves.
Responsibilities
Handling a variety of animal temperaments
Performing physical examinations
Taking x-rays
Conducting laboratory collections & tests
Inducing & monitoring anesthesia
Performing dental prophylaxis
Preparing for & assisting during surgery
Advising & educating clients
Requirements
Becoming a vet tech requires more than just a love of animals and determination, it requires schooling. Many vet schools will offer certification programs for vet tech students. Often the programs are 2-years in scope, however some universities offer a 4-year accreditation leading to higher responsibility and higher salary.
Resources
A few places to start if you are interested in a career as a veterinarian technician.
*Links open in a new window
American Association of Equine Veterinary Technicians
International Veterinary Nurses & Technicians Association
National Association of Veterinary Technicians
Veterinary School Directory
Vet Tech Schools & Programs Online
Equine Manual for Veterinary Technicians
The Right Job For You?
If this isn’t your dream horse job, try using the search below to find it. You can also find more horse job descriptions on our careers page.
My first thought was on the picture. Poor horse. I imagine they’re trying to help it, but that looks so uncomfortably painful. I hope it’s not.
At any rate, nice article on the vet tech field.
That horse is being taken to surgery; and the method of carring him is not going to cause him any pain; it is the best way to get an animal that large onto the surgery table (which you can see is very padded through the doorway) Trying to push or pull the animal would be impossible, and lifting him under his body could injure his ribs or internal structures, the legs really are the sturdiest and safest way to move him. it looks weird I admit; but it is really safe.
what is the average pay for a vet tech please?
Your best bet would be to check out one of the links above. They’ll offer payscale info.
That is awful to do a horse that way its body weight could crush its organs and kill it
Isn’t that dangerous considering that the horses body weight could crush it’s internal organs and it could result in death of the horse if you leave it in that position for to long!
That is not a dangerous way to move the horse because the horses organs that you’re talking about are what make up a good portion of their body weight. It’s just as dangerous as keeping a dog or cat upside down – not dangerous at all. And as Bree already said, the horse is anesthetized, so it doesn’t feel anything and it wont struggle which would be the biggest cause of injury in that position.
They’re only in the harness for a few minutes at most. It doesn’t hurt them, because they are already under anesthesia. Can you think of a better way to transport an animal that large? I don’t think so.
I am considering becomeing an equine vet tech. But I don’t know much about it. can you tell me some basic things an equine vet tech would be responable for?
I’m a vet tech with much experience with horses. The horse is in the stocks for an ultrasound. Being in stocks does not in any way harm or hurt the horse. And the ultrasound being done is exactly like the ones done on pregnant women.
Also, horses are routinely moved from one room of the hospital to another using hydraulic lifts and tracks from the ceiling. It does NOT crush the organs.
Hello
My name is David I live in Woodbridge
virginia.
I have twenty seven years working with equines,have worked at the racetrack w/both Standardbreds and
thoroughbreds and two equine clinics.
am currently attending college for Veterinary technology and business.
Am looking to relocate to the Ocala
area in Florida this summer,am looking to line up a job for that
If any veterinarians in th Ocala
area are intertested my number
is 804-314-9565
Thanks
David Champ
Hi i am a ultrasound Technician . I am very intereseted in learning how to perform ultrasound on animals. I actually had a student who said she was doing ultrasounds on horses part time . I would love to learn that field . I’ve been doing ultrasound for ten years . General, cardio ,vascular . Just wondering if there is any jobs out there in that field . I would love to just sit in a case and watch . I live right down the street from ocala . I live in Crystal River FL Thanks
Hi
Rachel Bilby
what is the market down there like for equine techs
and assistants?
Does the veterinarian that you work for need anyone in September.
If so i would be interested.
804-314-9565
Thanks
David Champ
I am a 29 year old vet tech student. And would like to specialize in equine medicine, and would like to do my externship next summer at an Equine hospital with a liscenced vet tech. However I can not find any near Charleston, SC, or Greenville, SC. Could you please help me?
I AM GOING TO BE A EQUINE VET TECH BUT I AM TAKING THAT FIRST PART OF IT AND BRINGING IT FARTHER