So, back to the question of how to know if you have a good equine veterinarian. First, inquire about education and training. Next, ask the horse owners in your area for their opinions. Good personality and so called bedside manner count, but should not be the only reasons to prefer one veterinarian over another. Some popular equine veterinarians may be popular more for their charm than for their expertise.
Many people feel a veterinarian who is also a horse person is best.
In my experience, though, some veterinary students who are horse-oriented in their private lives may carry some of the pervasive myths and legends of horse medicine and horse care into their veterinary practices. Some of the best equine veterinarians I know are neither horse owners nor would they be considered horse people. Some veterinarians specialize only in treating horses. Others have a more general large animal practice, treating cattle, small ruminants, and pigs, as well as horses. Still others have a mixed practice where they treat almost all animal species.