Veterinary Career Center

Sports Medicine Externship Program

Interstate Equine Hospital is a well-established practice with a passion for sports medicine that includes an impressive clinic with a large surgical suite, recently remodeled and expanded exam and treatment areas, and an indoor arena. The facility encompasses 20 stalls for hospitalized patients, including ICU and isolation stalls. Interstate Equine Hospital offers state-of-the-art equipment, including digital x-ray and ultrasound and cutting-edge regenerative medicine technology, including IRAP, Stem Cell, and PRP Therapy, with an in-house Coggins lab. All while being supported by Interstate Equine Hospitals' exceptional staff.

The practice sits just minutes north of Purcell, in the “Heart of Oklahoma,” also known as the “Quarter Horse Capital of the World.” Oklahoma is home to many large established horse ranches and hosts a large number of national equestrian events, including the Redbud Spectacular, NSBA World Show, and AQHA World Show.

The Externship Experience will focus on performance horse medicine with a heavy emphasis on lameness evaluation ranging from straightforward diagnosis to complex, multi-limb issues. In addition to lameness evaluation, experience high-quality medicine through exposure to premier horse management at exceptional ranches. Learn about herd health and preventative care, sport horse reproduction, young horse training and development, and pre-purchase exams. The predominant discipline seen at Interstate Equine Hospital is western performance horses, including reining, barrel racing, and team roping horses to name a few.

Interstate Equine Hospital offers an intimate setting where externs can easily observe cases with different doctors during outpatient appointments and on ambulatory calls. Develop skills in patient assessment, treatment, and monitoring, with inpatient case management. Inpatient cases typically seen include orthopedic cases, pneumonia cases, gastrointestinal disorders, and high-risk pregnancies. You will also experience after-hours emergency management with cases that include non-surgical colic, injuries, and acute soundness issues.  

• On-site housing includes a fully furnished apartment with a private bathroom and kitchen area.
• Externships are recommended in the spring, summer, and fall.

Externship opportunities are open to students and graduates of a college of veterinary medicine with a professional interest in equine medicine.

To apply for an externship, e-mail a resume to jkarges@interstateequine.com, include a statement in the body of the e-mail outlining preferred externship dates. Externships are booked on a first-come, first-serve basis, can be booked year-round, and range in duration from a few days to a couple of weeks.