The AAEP conducted a survey in September 2012 with horse owners and trainers; 6,100 people responded. Most clients—85 percent—said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their current veterinarian, and 87 percent would recommend their veterinarian to others.
Positive ratings for equine vets
In an AAEP survey conducted in 2012 with horse owners and trainers; 6,100 people responded. Most clients, ;85 percent, said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their current veterinarian, and 87 percent would recommend their veterinarian to others..
Notably, though, when asked whether they’ve ever switched veterinarians, more than half had fired their veterinarians or chosen another. The primary reasons, listed in descending order of importance, were poor communication, lack of availability, misdiagnosis, and cost.
Racehorse owners, specifically, put more value on their practitioner’s knowledge of breed and industry. Sport horse owners valued advanced diagnostics and imaging. All owners and trainers expect veterinarians to be able to travel to the horse and provide emergency services.
The survey showed opportunities for improvement in the areas of communication, knowledge of developments in equine medicine, and lameness skills, according to Dr. Dwyer.
An area of concern for the AAEP emerged from the survey question posed to owners and clients about services they receive from someone other than their primary veterinarian.
“Twenty-five percent said they have used another provider for dental care, most often a layperson. A few did take their horse to a veterinarian who truly was a specialist, but most, when asked, had a perception that lay providers were specialists,” Dr. Dwyer said.
“This shows the perception of being an expert is out there, even if the individual in question doesn’t hold a veterinary degree.”