Equine medicine: Economic/Business trends
Discover the biggest trends and economic outlook in the equine veterinary profession. Dr. Amy Grice, past treasurer of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) and member of the AVMA Veterinary Economics Strategy Committee, examines major trends in equine veterinary education, employment, and services. Drawing on information from the AVMA Graduating Senior Survey, AVMA Census of Veterinarians, AVMA/AAEP Equine Efficiency Survey, and the 2024 AVMA/AAEP Report on The Economic State of the Equine Veterinary Profession, she explores compensation, debt, the labor market, employee satisfaction, and practice characteristics.
Whether you’re a new or established equine veterinarian, an educator, or a business leader in the equine sector, you’ll come away with a greater understanding of the economic issues shaping the profession, and prepared to make informed decisions in your career and practice.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
- Understand the factors driving supply and demand of equine veterinarians, and evolution of the labor market.
- Review compensation and hours worked for equine veterinarians within different types of practice.
- Identify the key factors driving equine practice economics and come away with strategies for success.
Dr. Amy Grice was an ambulatory equine practitioner in New York’s Hudson Valley for over 25 years, serving as managing partner of a 13-doctor equine referral hospital in Rhinebeck, New York. In 2014, she retired from clinical practice to concentrate on veterinary business consulting and moved to Virginia City, Montana. She is a frequent speaker at educational seminars for veterinarians across the country, and consults with a diverse range of veterinary businesses and industry partners to bring business education to veterinarians. She aids with transitions of ownership, strategic planning, financial projections, and other solutions for private practitioners.
Dr. Grice received her veterinary degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1990. She earned her master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in ethical leadership from Marist College School of Management in 2014.
She is a member of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, where she served on the board of directors from 2015-2018 and as treasurer from 2021-2023. She also has served as a member of the AVMA Economic Strategy Committee. She is the founder of Decade One, which leads networking groups for equine veterinarians early in their careers.
Dr. Chris Doherty is assistant director for strategic business research and outreach in the Veterinary Economics Division at the AVMA. In this role he analyzes data about new and established veterinarians, and translates research into tools, resources, and actionable items that veterinarians can utilize and implement in their practices and careers. He earned his veterinary degree from the Ontario Veterinary College and master’s degree in business administration from McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business. He also is a chartered business valuator.