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Equine Surgery Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Desort

Equine Surgeon - Specialty Practice

Earlysville, VA · On-site

$233K - $279K/yr

Board certification or eligibility in equine surgery * Strong surgical, diagnostic, and communication skills * A commitment to compassionate, high-quality patient care How to Apply Veterinarians ...

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$721

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$2.9K

How much do equine surgery jobs pay per week?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average weekly pay for equine surgery in the United States is $1,882.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $1,403.85 and $2,307.69 per week, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is equine surgery?

Equine surgery is a specialized branch of veterinary medicine focused on diagnosing and treating injuries, diseases, and disorders in horses through surgical procedures. Equine surgeons are veterinarians who have advanced training and skills to perform both routine and complex surgeries, such as repairing fractures, colic surgery, arthroscopy, and soft tissue operations. These professionals play a vital role in maintaining the health and performance of horses, whether for sport, work, or companionship. They also provide pre- and post-operative care, and often collaborate with other veterinary specialists to ensure comprehensive treatment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an equine surgeon?

To excel as an Equine Surgeon, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, completion of a surgical residency, and board certification in equine surgery. Expertise in advanced surgical techniques, diagnostic imaging tools, anesthesia, and electronic medical record systems is essential. Outstanding manual dexterity, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication with clients and veterinary teams make a significant difference in this role. These skills and qualifications are critical to ensure high-quality surgical care, positive outcomes for horses, and effective collaboration in a specialized veterinary environment.

What are some common challenges faced by equine surgeons in their daily work?

Equine surgeons often encounter challenges such as managing unpredictable animal behavior during procedures, working in varied environments like clinics or barns, and responding to emergencies outside of standard hours. The physical demands of handling large animals and the need for quick decision-making in critical situations also present difficulties. Collaboration with veterinary technicians, anesthesiologists, and referring veterinarians is essential to provide comprehensive care, and staying current with advancements in surgical techniques is vital for success in this field.

What is the difference between Equine Surgery vs Equine Veterinary Medicine?

AspectEquine SurgeryEquine Veterinary Medicine
CredentialsVeterinary degree, surgical specialization, licensingVeterinary degree, general practice license
Work EnvironmentOperating rooms, clinics, hospitalsFarms, clinics, hospitals, outdoor settings
Job FocusSurgical procedures, post-op careGeneral health, diagnosis, treatment
Industry UsageSpecialized surgical casesBroad equine health management

Equine Surgery is a specialized field focusing on surgical procedures for horses, requiring advanced surgical training. Equine Veterinary Medicine covers a broader scope, including diagnosis, treatment, and preventive care. While all equine surgeons are veterinarians, not all equine veterinarians perform surgery. Both roles are essential in equine health, but surgery is more procedure-specific, often involving hospital settings, whereas veterinary medicine encompasses overall horse care in various environments.

How do I become an equine surgeon?

To become an equine surgeon, one must first complete a bachelor's degree, then earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. After veterinary school, completing a specialized internship and residency in equine surgery is required, along with obtaining licensure and board certification from a recognized veterinary surgical college.

How much does an equine surgeon make?

Equine surgeons typically earn between $70,000 and $150,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and the complexity of cases handled. Salaries can be higher for specialists with advanced skills and those working in private practices or specialized clinics.
More about Equine Surgery jobs

What cities are hiring for Equine Surgery jobs?

Cities with the most Equine Surgery job openings:

What states have the most Equine Surgery jobs?

States with the most job openings for Equine Surgery jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Equine Surgery jobs?

For Equine Surgery jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Equine Surgery jobs near you
Infographic showing various Equine Surgery job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 4% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,880 per year, or $47.1 per hour.

Equine Surgeon's Assistant - Bluegrass Equine Surgery

Versailles, KY • On-site

Bluegrass Equine Surgery
See more jobs at Bluegrass Equine Surgeryexternal

$17 - $22/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 23 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Assist the Surgeon during surgeries and prepare surgical sites.

  • Support the surgical team with patient restraint, vital measurements, blood collection, wound care, and x-rays.

  • Maintain the Surgeon's work vehicle and facilitate efficiency during farm calls.

Job description

PetVet Care Centers' Bluegrass Equine Surgery is currently seeking an Equine Surgeon's Assistant to join their team!
At PetVet Care Centers, our mission is to improve the lives of animals and people - providing exceptional and compassionate care at every stage - for all the moments that matter.
Because life is better with pets.
We deliver the Ultimate Care Experience - every pet, every client, every time. That starts with a Culture of Care that supports our team members as much as the pets and clients we serve.
With more than 420 locally led hospitals and over 11,000 team members nationwide, we offer:
  • Local autonomy with national support
  • Career mobility and development opportunities
  • A collaborative, inclusive environment where your wellbeing comes first

You care for pets. We care for you.
Position Overview
Join our team as an Equine Surgeon's Assistant who is responsible for providing comprehensive support to the Surgeon. They deliver quality care for all patients and provide exceptional service.
Bluegrass Equine Surgery (BES) in Versailles, Kentucky, is an equine veterinary practice providing exceptional client service and primary medical care in the central Kentucky region. We are building a new, diverse, supportive, and driven team.
Hours: Monday-Friday, hours vary, 40 hours per week
Reports to: Surgeon, Surgery Operation Manager
Department: Surgery
Location: Hospital and Ambulatory
Compensation: Hourly, based on experience, includes benefits
DUTIES
General
  • Provide sophisticated calendar management for Surgeon.
  • Anticipate needs and help make executive decisions with Surgeon and Surgery Operations Manager
  • Act as a liaison and provide support to the Surgery Operations Manager and Administrative Department
  • Complete a broad variety of organizational tasks that facilitate the Surgeon's ability to effectively lead the organization
  • Work closely with the Surgeon to keep them well informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, following up appropriately.
  • Model professionalism and ethical practices

Surgery
  • Organize with surgery team - setups for surgery and positioning of patients for surgery
  • Assist during surgery as needed
  • Complete sterile prep of surgery sites
  • Clean wrap and sterilize packs
  • Restrain patients as needed
  • Take vital measurements on patients
  • Take blood for laboratory procedures
  • Scrub, clean, rinse, and bandage wounds
  • Take x-rays
  • Gather medical history and proper information for Coggins, fill out forms, take pictures, identify markings

Ambulatory
  • Maintain Surgeon's work vehicle
  • Drive work vehicle on daily farm call route
  • Facilitate efficiency during farm call setup and breakdown.
  • Gather proper information for billing
  • Take x-rays, assist with exams and lameness injections.

Other
  • Promote cooperative working environment among staff members; understand the value of teamwork; show enthusiasm and willingness to perform as necessary to help the practice function as a unit.
  • Understand and carry out oral and written directions
  • Maintain positive, cooperative relationships with other employees
  • Promotes continuous quality improvement
  • Performs other duties as assigned

EXPERIENCE
  • Work exposure to all aspects of an equine business enterprise
  • Ability to read horse body language and perform advanced handling of horses and foals
  • Self-motivated lifelong learner
  • Work well independently and as part of a team
  • Client/Customer service background

PERSONAL
  • Feel and express a genuine liking for animals and for working in an animal-care environment
  • Work under the broad general administrative supervision of the owners and doctors, and use sound personal judgment in selecting methods, establishing priorities, and arriving at conclusions
  • May be required to work uncommon hours, overtime, and be subject to recall in emergency situations
  • Be flexible in attitude and work habits

Schedule
  • Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week (Full-Time)
  • Ideally would be flexible, willing to step in on extra days if needed

What We Offer
We care deeply about supporting our team members - professionally and personally. Benefits include:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Paid Parental Leave (birth, adoption, foster)
  • 401(k) with discretionary contribution
  • Team Member Pet Discounts
  • Emotional wellbeing support - including Calm app access and 24/7 EAP
  • CE stipends and career development resources
  • Grant Circle - a relief fund for team members facing personal hardship
  • Local hospital culture backed by national resources

At PetVet Care Centers, we're committed to a Culture of Care - for pets, for the people who love them, and for the team members who make it all possible. With more than 400 hospitals across the U.S. and a team of over 11,000 dedicated professionals, including 1700+ veterinarians, we offer a unique blend of local leadership and national support that helps our hospitals thrive.
Our model is built on partnership, collaboration, and local medical autonomy, empowering each hospital to deliver high-quality care while benefiting from shared resources and a strong professional community. Whether you're providing care in a hospital or supporting operations behind the scenes, PetVet is a place where you can grow your career, stay connected to your purpose, and make a meaningful impact.
You care for pets. We care for you.
PetVet is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, age, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, citizenship, national origin/ancestry, physical/mental disabilities, military status or any other basis prohibited by law. EOE, M/F/D/V
PetVet respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. Please see our privacy notice for additional information about our data practices.

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