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