Equine Veterinary Nursing
Equine veterinary nursing is a specialised healthcare profession focused on the care, welfare and clinical support of horses and other equids in both primary care and referral settings. Veterinary nurses work alongside veterinary surgeons to provide skilled clinical nursing care, anaesthetic monitoring, diagnostic support, surgical assistance and patient recovery management. The equine specialisation brings particular demands because horses present distinctive physiological, behavioural and handling challenges that differ substantially from small animal practice, requiring practitioners who combine clinical competence with deep knowledge of equine health and behaviour.
At Hartpury University this four-year, full-time programme equips you with the knowledge and practical skills needed to qualify as a veterinary nurse working with horses. You will study equine anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, anaesthesia, surgical nursing, diagnostic imaging, nutrition, medical conditions and patient assessment, building a rigorous scientific foundation alongside extensive hands-on clinical training. A substantial element of the programme involves practice-based learning in approved veterinary nursing training practices, giving you the clinical hours and supervised experience needed to develop the confidence and competence to work independently after graduation.
Hartpury's strong partnerships with local and national equine practices mean you will have access to a wide range of clinical placements.
Registered veterinary nurses specialising in equine practice find employment in equine veterinary hospitals, referral centres and first-opinion practices across the UK and internationally. Career paths include clinical equine nursing, anaesthesia nursing, practice management, education and veterinary pharmaceutical or equipment roles. Some graduates develop subspecialty expertise in areas such as equine rehabilitation, sport horse medicine or emergency and critical care.
Others continue to postgraduate study, pursuing advanced clinical qualifications or moving into veterinary nursing research and education.