Equine Internship

About the Role

This is a 12-month equine internship based primarily within a hospital setting, with opportunities to expand into broader clinical activities as the caseload requires. You’ll work alongside a recognised equine surgical specialist and a supportive team of vets and nurses, gaining comprehensive exposure to a mixed caseload that will prepare you well for private practice or further postgraduate training.

You’ll take responsibility for in-patient care, client communication, and support during out-patient appointments, emergency admissions, and surgical procedures. Throughout the placement, you’ll develop competencies in lameness investigation, anaesthesia, reproductive work, diagnostic imaging, and colic case management. The hospital encourages interns to complete a case report or series with a view to publication in a peer-reviewed journal, with full support provided.

On-site accommodation is provided, and you’ll work a 1:2 out-of-hours rota including telephone duties. Prior equine anaesthesia experience is advantageous, though not essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide in-patient care and monitoring under supervision
• Communicate effectively with clients regarding their horse’s progress and treatment
• Assist during out-patient appointments and emergency admissions
• Support surgical procedures and perioperative care
• Investigate lameness cases and contribute to diagnostic work-ups
• Contribute to anaesthesia protocols and reproductive case management
• Develop and complete a case report or case series for publication
• Participate in the 1:2 out-of-hours rota as scheduled

Requirements

• Hold a veterinary degree
• Be a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS)
• Be fluent in English
• Show initiative, willingness to learn, and commitment to excellent patient and client care
• Prior equine anaesthesia experience (advantageous but not essential)

Benefits

• Salary: circa £23k pa (accommodation and associated costs deducted)
• On-site accommodation provided
• Hands-on experience across a broad range of equine disciplines
• Training and mentorship from an RCVS-accredited equine hospital team
• Opportunity to develop and publish case work in peer-reviewed journals
• Access to advanced diagnostic facilities including MRI
• Foundation for progression into private practice or postgraduate training

About the Practice

Chine House Veterinary Hospital is a well-equipped, RCVS-accredited equine hospital located at Sileby Hall, Leicestershire. The hospital features on-site stabling for at least 20 in-patients and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment including MRI. The practice is part of VetPartners and offers a supportive environment with a team including a well-recognised equine surgery specialist.

The hospital handles a mixed equine caseload, providing interns with broad clinical exposure across the full range of equine veterinary disciplines. Prospective applicants are encouraged to spend at least one day observing at the hospital prior to formal selection.