Veterinary Assistant with Horse Care Management

Do you love animals—horses in particular? Have you ever considered a career as a veterinary assistant, stable manager, or horse caretaker? If so, this equine veterinary assistant training course teaches you the skills you need to work directly with horses. Whether you are interested in joining a stable, equestrian center, or veterinary facility that works with large animals, having a fundamental knowledge of horse caretaking and veterinary science is essential. This course provides a broad overview of horse care topics while teaching you the technical skills needed to work as a veterinary assistant.

This equine veterinary program covers the foundational skills needed to work in a veterinary office with a specialized focus on horse maintenance and management. These complementary fields of study are perfect for those interested in working with horses or current veterinary assistants wanting to diversify their skillset.

You will gain a breadth of knowledge that can take you from the veterinary office to the stables and beyond. Learn to be an asset in all aspects of a horse's clinical and caretaking needs, from assisting with surgical and dental procedures to measuring vitals.

Upon successfully completing training, you will earn your certificate of completion, acknowledging your dedication and special interest in the well-being of horses and affirming that you have met industry-recognized levels of proficiency.

What you will learn

• Understand equine anatomy, behavior, and welfare principles
• Identify and manage common horse health issues
• Design feeding, exercise, and grooming programs
• Implement stable management and biosecurity best practices
• Plan and operate a successful horse care business
• Summarize the roles, responsibilities, and applicable laws and ethics as they pertain to the veterinary healthcare team
• Learn fundamentals of animal anatomy and physiology, restraint techniques, and basic examination tasks relevant to veterinary assisting, using proper terminology
• Explain how to perform veterinary assistant pharmacy tasks within the law's scope and discuss vaccinations, infectious diseases, transmission, and prevention
• Know how to respond appropriately to veterinary medical emergencies, surgeries, and various laboratory procedures, and the veterinary assistant's responsibilities related to veterinary dentistry

How you will benefit

• Build confidence to manage a horse farm, operate a stable, or run a horse care business
• Enhance employability in equine facilities, rehabilitation centers, or farms
• Develop a portfolio-ready capstone project for career advancement
• Apply knowledge immediately through practical, hands-on assignments
• Prepare to assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians in providing patient care
• Stand out to employers seeking individuals passionate about animals and possessing the communication and teamwork skills necessary to excel in the field
• Give yourself a competitive edge by holding a certificate of completion for these two intensive courses, increasing your qualifications and affirming that you have met industry-recognized levels of proficiency

1. Veterinary Assistant
   1. The Veterinary Health-Care Team
   2. Veterinary Team Culture and Communication
   3. Introduction to Veterinary Medical Terminology
   4. Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology, and Terminology (Part I)
   5. Small-Animal Behavior and Restraint
   6. Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology, and Terminology (Part 2)
   7. Veterinary Receptionist Duties and Responsibilities
   8. Veterinary Inventory Management
   9. Pharmacy Procedures
   10. Hospital Safety and Infection Control
   11. Physical Exam and Patient History
   12. Small-Animal Vaccines and Infectious Diseases
   13. Small-Animal Nutrition
   14. Small-Animal Nursing Procedures
   15. The Human-Animal Bond and Euthanasia
   16. Laboratory Procedures for Veterinary Assistants
   17. Diagnostic Imaging for Veterinary Assistants
   18. Small-Animal Surgical Assisting
   19. Hospitalized Patient Care
   20. The Role of the Assistant During Emergencies
   21. Veterinary Dental Assisting
   22. Assisting with Exotic Species
   23. Assisting with Large-Animal Species
   24. Personal and Professional Development
   25. Beginning Your Career as a Vet Assistant
   26. Land the Job
2. Horse Care Management
   1. Introduction to Horse Care Management. 
   2. Equine Health & Wellness 
   3. Equine Nutrition & Feeding Programs 
   4. Stable Management & Biosecurity 
   5. Hoof Care & Farrier Practices 
   6. Equine Handling & Grooming Techniques 
   7. Tack & Equipment Maintenance 
   8. Equine Exercise & Conditioning Programs 
   9. Business & Legal Aspects of Horse Care 

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

• This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

• PC: Windows 10 or later.
• Mac: macOS 12 or later.
• Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
• Microsoft Word Online
• Adobe Acrobat Reader .
• All applications listed above must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

• Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment.

The following eBooks are available for your Veterinary Assistant course. Reading assignments in each lesson will be linked to the eBook for the designated reading.

• Veterinary Assisting Fundamentals & Applications, 2nd edition, by Beth Vanhorn
• An Illustrated Guide to Veterinary Medical Terminology, 4th edition, by Janet Amundson Romich

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

Tracy Heyland, RVT

Tracy Heyland is a Registered Veterinary Technologist (RVT), earning the Academic and Practical Proficiency Award upon graduating. She brings 25+ years of experience in small animal medicine to her teaching, earned the Provincial Instructor Diploma, certified as a Professional Co-Active Coach, and is Fear Free Certified. Tracy has worked in general practice, emergency medicine, veterinary sales, operations management, and teaching positions and runs her own coaching and training company for veterinary teams, leaders, and managers.

Giving back to the veterinary profession is a passion of Tracy's where she volunteers for a veterinary technologist program advisory committee, remotely located spay and neuter projects, and a veterinary technologist association continuing education committee.

Mary Mould

Mary Mould has a bachelor's in veterinary technology and a master's in education. She has taught veterinary technology courses for 22 years and distance education for over 24 years. Completing her education through distance learning has been extremely helpful in understanding her students and the variables that go along with distance learning.

Mary published an article, "Brushing Your Dog's Teeth," in the Veterinary Technology journal and has spoken at the Midwest Veterinary Conference on animal pain management.

Mary is a member of the Association for Veterinary Technology Education (AVTE), Veterinary Support Personnel (VSPN), and the National Association of Veterinary Technicians (NAVTA).

Bella Wehner

Bella Wehner is a dedicated horse care management professional with hands-on experience in barn operations and daily horse care. Combining practical knowledge with a passion for equine well-being, Bella has developed systems that keep horses healthy, happy, and performing at their best.  Bella has worked with horses of varying ages, breeds, and temperaments, developing individualized care routines that support each horse’s unique needs and potential. From nutrition and grooming to stable organization and management, Bella’s goal is to inspire confidence and competence in every future equine professional.

What is the average equine vet assistant salary?

According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary of an equine vet assistant is $35,859 annually, with the highest earners making $49,500.

How much do veterinary assistants make?

According to Indeed.com, the average salary for veterinary assistants is $43,254, with those who have more than 10 years of experience earning over $59,666.

What is a veterinary assistant? What does a veterinary assistant do?

The number one job of a veterinary assistant is to assist the veterinarian and veterinarian technicians with basic tasks. As a veterinary assistant, you may feed, weigh, and take the temperature of various animals. You may also help give medication, clean cages, and provide nursing care for animals when they have surgery or other medical procedures. You may also bathe and exercise animals as needed and help restrain them during treatment. As a veterinary assistant, it is also your responsibility to clean and sterilize equipment and exam rooms. Some veterinary assistants even perform clerical work, such as scheduling appointments and speaking with customers, as well. The duties vary widely, but all are important to ensure the health and well-being of animals inside the veterinary practice.

How long does it take to become a veterinary assistant?

This online veterinary assistant training program is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start whenever you are ready and finish at your own pace. When you register, you will receive 18 months to complete the course.

What is the difference between a veterinary assistant and a veterinary technician?

While the people in both these jobs may work in the same location (and potentially with the same animals), they perform very different roles. Veterinary assistants most likely have received training through a certificate program and training on the job by veterinary technicians to help with basic duties like setting up equipment and cleaning areas of the clinic like surgery sites. Veterinary technicians, or vet techs, have a formal education—likely a two- or four-year degree accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. They are also required to pass a licensing exam in most states. In short, veterinary technicians can perform more advanced clinical tasks under a veterinarian's supervision to help treat animals.

Does this course prepare you for a certification?

Not at this time.

When can I start the course?

This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.

How long does it take to complete a course?

All of our courses are self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start them when you want and finish them at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive eighteen (18) months to complete the course.

What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact the student advising team to see what options you may have available to work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

What kind of support will I receive?

Our courses are designed to accommodate various learning preferences. Depending on the course structure, you may get different forms of support. Self-paced courses are designed to be user-friendly and independent, minimizing the need for external support. In courses with instructors, our direct platform support feature includes opportunities for questions, discussions, and remediation, with email and phone support available for select courses. Our student advising team is available to guide you on program requirements and administrative requests, but they do not provide assistance with course content. Our goal is to provide you with the necessary support for success, whether it's through self-paced exploration, direct communication, or guidance from our advising team.

What happens when I complete the course?

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Am I guaranteed a job?

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

Can I get financial assistance?

This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.

How can I get more information about this course?

If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available by phone. You can also call us at 1-855-532-7642 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.