Equine Internship/Residency Chances

[beevet313]

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Hi everyone!
I’m a third-year veterinary student about to enter clinics, and my long-term goal is to pursue a residency in either equine surgery or equine internal medicine. I have several upcoming opportunities that should help me refine that decision, but I’m hoping to gain some broader perspective from those who have gone through the process.
Recently, I’ve heard multiple comments suggesting that highly competitive equine residencies are nearly impossible to obtain unless you “know the right people” or have strong legacy connections. While I understand that networking and mentorship matter in academia, I’m trying to get a realistic sense of how much weight that perception actually carries.
For context:

• I have solid (not perfect) grades.
• I’ve held multiple leadership roles, including serving on executive boards and involvement in our AAEP chapter.
• I grew up riding and worked my way into the equine field (no family connections in veterinary medicine).
• I’ve gained extensive equine experience throughout vet school.
• I’ve published two manuscripts, including one in Equine Veterinary Journal.

I’m fully aware equine residencies are competitive and require strategic preparation. I’m not expecting anything to be handed to me — I’m willing to put in the work. I’m just hoping to hear from others who have matched (or didn’t) about what truly made the difference in their applications.
Is this path realistically attainable without pre-existing connections? What factors mattered most in your experience?

 

[honeypot999]

I’m in the same boat here.

I do know that the 2025 match rate for equine rotating was 66% and for large animal was 78%. So I want to believe there’s a better chance for us to go somewhere we want

 

[CourageDearHeart]

I’m a 2025 grad that just matched to an equine internal medicine residency at a very well-respected program.

While having big name connections is always very valuable, I don’t think that you need them to get into the program of your choice. It sounds like you’re doing a great job working in school to get all the experience you can, both locally and with the AAEP, which is FANTASTIC (organized vet med is super important, in my opinion). Continue doing things like that to the best of your ability as you enter your clinical year and make an effort to make connections with your faculty (which it sounds like you have since you have publications). The vet med community is very small and the equine vet med community is even smaller. You’re probably better connected than you realize!

Happy to talk more specifics about my path too if anyone wants to send a message 😊