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what is being a vet-tech like for large animals cows,horses
what is being a large animal veterinary-technician like for horses
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Emily’s Answer
One thing about being an Equine Veterinary Technician that I think a lot of people don't take into account is how physically demanding it can be. A lot of the time you are out on barn calls in the sun. Working with large animals comes with it's own challenges too, you cannot restrain a horse like a dog. So sometimes with fearful horses and recovering horses from anesthesia and can be a little intense. Being comfortable around horses before having to work on them helps a lot. It's not required, I know a lot of amazing equine Vet Techs who started with on the job training, but it does help in the comfortability aspect. I see a lot of turn over with people interested in large animal but start their internship and realize they are afraid of horses.
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Victoria’s Answer
It depends if you want to work in an equine only practice, mixed animal, or reproductive. Most large animal clinics are laid back, so you'll be expected to wear a scrub top with jeans. A lot of large animal vet clinics have mobile aspect as well as a in clinic aspect. You will perform duties such as venipuncture, filling out forms for various tests, trimming hooves, dental work on horses and goats, and you'll also get to do the nitty gritty stuff such as fecal floats, and educating clients about internal parasites, How to properly feed, and so much more. Check out a clinic near you, a lot of clinics are very open-minded and will allow you to come and shadow for a few hours a day.