AVS 397 Equine Internship
Robert C. Causey DVM, PhD, Dip ACT

The objective of this course is to allow students with a strong equine interest to gain work experience with top professionals in the equine industry.

Students are required to work a total of 240 hours under the supervision of a selected equine professional. To receive credit, students must keep a daily journal in which they record their hours worked, and have their daily entries signed by their equine supervisor. Students will register for the class in the semester that the internship is completed. The supervisor will provide a written assessment of each student at the close of the internship. The student will also provide a written evaluation of the internship experience.

Students may choose from selected equine professionals in the harness racing industry, show horse industry, draft horse industry, or equine veterinary profession.

In assessing the student, the supervisor will consult the following guidelines.

1. Professionalism:
Punctuality
Language and communication
Respect for supervisor
Personal appearance
Ability and willingness to accept responsibility
Ability to work and think independently when appropriate
Ethics and honesty

2. Equine knowledge:
Basic knowledge of horse care and handling
Knowledge of the field of the specific internship
Ability to communicate this knowledge to others
Understands supervisor’s discussions with industry contacts

3. Skills:
Works safely, without endangering self, other personnel, or horses
Accomplishes assigned tasks with accuracy and efficiency
Shows consistent improvement throughout the internship.


Grading will be pass/fail. Grade will be assigned by the internship coordinator (Dr Causey) based on the required number of work hours being recorded in the log, the supervisor’s assessment of the student at the end of 240 hours, an interview with the student at the end of the internship, and the student’s written evaluation of the internship experience.