{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,19]],"date-time":"2026-10-19T01:39:47Z","timestamp":1792373987884,"version":"4.4.0"},"reference-count":21,"publisher":"Wiley","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,18]],"date-time":"2026-10-18T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1792281600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/termsAndConditions#vor"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,18]],"date-time":"2026-10-18T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1792281600000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Aust Veterinary J"],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Background<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The equine veterinary profession is experiencing a global recruitment and retention crisis with fewer graduates entering equine practice. We aimed to investigate perceived and actual barriers to Australian veterinary students' considering an equine veterinary career.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A mixed methods design was used. The study population consisted of veterinary students from seven universities in Australia. An online survey was distributed that comprised demographic, Likert\u2010scale and open\u2010ended questions and covered themes of equine experience, perceptions of clients, salary, Higher Education Contribution Scheme debt, and perceptions of workplace culture. Descriptive data analysis was performed. Subsequently, students were invited to participate in Zoom interviews to discuss their experiences. Interviews were transcribed and thematically analysed in NVivo.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>There were 306 online survey responses, of which 239 were complete. Eight Zoom interviews were conducted. Key concerns about equine practice were difficult clients (81%), workplace culture (60%), work\u2013life balance (53%) and long working hours (14%). The perception that one must be \u2018horsey\u2019 to become an equine veterinarian was a dominant theme. Limited early exposure to horses and restricted hands\u2010on opportunities during extramural studies were significant barriers.<\/jats:p>\n                    <jats:p>Recommendations from students included improving clinic culture, supporting \u2018non\u2010horsey\u2019 students, promoting positive equine placements, and providing realistic career pathways.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusions<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Addressing cultural attitudes, enhancing student equine exposure and improving work\u2013life balance are critical to attracting and retaining graduates in equine practice. Collaborative action between universities, clinics and industry bodies is essential for a sustainable equine veterinary workforce.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1111\/avj.70144","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,19]],"date-time":"2026-10-19T00:54:58Z","timestamp":1792371298000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Barriers to Australian veterinary students choosing an equine career"],"prefix":"10.1111","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-0477-1281","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"HA","family":"Lewis","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Adelaide University  Glengowrie South Australia 5371 Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-6761-5371","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"SH","family":"Franklin","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus Adelaide University  Roseworthy South Australia 5371 Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-5780-7567","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"LY","family":"Hardefeldt","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Melbourne Veterinary School University of Melbourne  Parkville Victoria 3050 Australia"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,18]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_10_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.3389\/fvets.2023.1036388","article-title":"Engage and enjoy\u2010investigating predictors of employee engagement and work satisfaction in equine veterinary professionals","volume":"10","author":"Elte Y","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front Vet Sci"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_3_1","volume-title":"Equine Economic Survey","author":"AVMA","year":"2017"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.3390\/antibiotics7020034","article-title":"Veterinary students' knowledge and perceptions about antimicrobial stewardship and biosecurity\u2010a National Survey","volume":"7","author":"Hardefeldt L","year":"2018","journal-title":"Antibiotics (Basel)"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_5_1","unstructured":"Australian Horse Industry Council.Size and Scope of the Australian Equine Sector (Non Racing). Available at:https:\/\/www.horsecouncil.org.au\/news-2\/size-and-scope-of-the-australian-horse-industry2025."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_6_1","unstructured":"IER.Racing Australia size and scope study. Available at:https:\/\/ier-study.racingaustralia.horse2016."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1435","DOI":"10.2460\/javma.238.11.1435","article-title":"Impact of gender and race\u2010ethnicity on reasons for pursuing a career in veterinary medicine and career aspirations","volume":"238","author":"Amass SF","year":"2011","journal-title":"J Am Vet Med Assoc"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"21","DOI":"10.1111\/eve.13939","article-title":"Survey of UK veterinary students' perceptions about a career in equine practice","volume":"37","author":"Elcock E","year":"2024","journal-title":"Equine Vet Educ"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_9_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"27","DOI":"10.1186\/s12917-018-1725-4","article-title":"Predicting career sector intent and the theory of planned behaviour: survey findings from Australian veterinary science students","volume":"15","author":"Feakes AM","year":"2019","journal-title":"BMC Vet Res"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_10_1","unstructured":"American Association of Equine Practitioners.Commission on Equine Veterinary Sustainability. Available at:https:\/\/aaep.org\/guidelines\u2010resources\/veterinarian\u2010resources\/sustainability\/aaep\u2010equine\u2010veterinary\u2010sustainability\u2010initiative\/2022."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"60","DOI":"10.1111\/eve.13708","article-title":"Time for change in the equine veterinary industry","volume":"35","author":"Grice AL","year":"2022","journal-title":"Equine Vet Educ"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_12_1","unstructured":"WilliamsM SharmaM RobinsonD.Modelling the future supply of vets and vet nurses: A report for the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Available at:https:\/\/www.rcvs.org.uk\/sites\/default\/files\/2026-02\/2024-rcvs-workforce-modelling-report-final_0.pdf 2024."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_13_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cvsm.2006.09.009","article-title":"Difficult interactions with veterinary clients: working in the challenge zone","volume":"37","author":"Morrisey JK","year":"2007","journal-title":"Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_14_1","unstructured":"ElteY.Its all about the horse. Or is it? Exploring the human side of equine veterinary practice.2025. Utrecht University Repository."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1002\/vetr.1068","article-title":"Uncovering the \u2018messy details\u2019 of veterinary communication: an analysis of communication problems in cases of alleged professional negligence","volume":"190","author":"Russell E","year":"2021","journal-title":"Vet Rec"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"358","DOI":"10.1136\/vr.l1194","article-title":"Dealing with difficult clients","volume":"184","author":"Magrath C","year":"2019","journal-title":"Vet Rec"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.3390\/ani9090620","article-title":"Benefits of animal exposure on veterinary students' understanding of equine behaviour and self\u2010assessed equine handling skills","volume":"9","author":"Guinnefollau L","year":"2019","journal-title":"Animals (Basel)"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_18_1","first-page":"11","article-title":"Influence of workplace flexibility on employee engagement among young generation","volume":"11","author":"Lee SH","year":"2024","journal-title":"Cogent Bus Manag"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_19_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","DOI":"10.1002\/vetr.1486","article-title":"Professional stereotypes among specialties and fields of work within the veterinary community","volume":"191","author":"Agathou S","year":"2022","journal-title":"Vet Rec"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"97","DOI":"10.1192\/pb.bp.115.053140","article-title":"BASH: badmouthing, attitudes and stigmatisation in healthcare as experienced by medical students","volume":"40","author":"Ajaz A","year":"2016","journal-title":"BJPsych Bull"},{"key":"e_1_2_10_21_1","unstructured":"American Association of Equine Practitioners.Students.2026."},{"key":"e_1_2_10_22_1","unstructured":"Australian Government.Reducing HELP debt for rural and remote doctors and nurse practitioners.2026."}],"container-title":["Australian Veterinary Journal"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1111\/avj.70144","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/full-xml\/10.1111\/avj.70144","content-type":"application\/xml","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/pdf\/10.1111\/avj.70144","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,19]],"date-time":"2026-10-19T00:55:00Z","timestamp":1792371300000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1111\/avj.70144"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,18]]},"references-count":21,"alternative-id":["10.1111\/avj.70144"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/avj.70144","archive":["Portico"],"relation":{},"ISSN":["0005-0423","1751-0813"],"issn-type":[{"value":"0005-0423","type":"print"},{"value":"1751-0813","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,18]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2026-05-19","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-09-18","order":2,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2026-10-18","order":3,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}],"article-number":"avj.70144"}}