In response to the supply and demand concerns associated with available equine veterinarians to meet the racing industry's needs, the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC) announced today that it has awarded twenty-five (25) Racing Industry Veterinary Student Externships. This program provides a shared experience for veterinary students with racetrack practitioners and regulatory veterinarians.
"Thanks in part to partnerships with industry sponsors and host veterinarians, the RMTC has been able to award 65 externships over the past three years, said Dr. Michael Hardy, RMTC Executive Director. "The early impact of the program has resulted in numerous job offers and new equine veterinarians working within the racing industry." Dr. Hardy also offered that "the RMTC is committed to joining other equine industry organizations in taking an active role in promoting careers in equine veterinary medicine."
The (RMTC) created the Racing Industry Veterinary Student Externship Program in 2024. The need for establishing such a program was two-fold:
i. To promote and provide exposure to and networking opportunities in equine veterinary medicine within the racing industry. The future of horseracing's veterinary care requires fostering exposure and mentoring young veterinarians.
ii. To establish a mechanism to identify, recruit, and retain young veterinarians and encourage professional pursuits relevant to horse racing needs for veterinary care and the promotion of enhanced safety and welfare for racehorses.
Since its inception in 2024, this program has gained significant industry support, with all 25 externships for 2026 funded by program sponsors, including AVMA Trust, AAEP Foundation for the Horse, Breeders' Cup Ltd, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Oak Tree Racing Association, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Horseshoe Indianapolis, The Jockey Club, National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association as well as the Indiana, Nebraska, Tampa Bay, Charles Town and Virginia chapters of HBPA.
"The AVMA Trust (AVMA PLIT and AVMA LIFE) is proud to sponsor RMTC's 2025 Racing Industry Veterinary Student Externship Program for the third year. We look forward to seeing this program continue to grow", said Tracey Gray-Walker, CEO, AVMA Trust.
Shareholder of TFB Equine and Chair of AAEP's Racing Committee, Dr. Sara Langsam added, "RMTC's Externship Program has provided a conduit for veterinary students to spend time in our trucks and gain exposure to veterinary medicine in horse racing. This experience gives us practitioners a chance to really show them what our day looks like and how much passion we have for our careers. Sometimes that's all we need to persuade them to pursue this specialty themselves".
