Who says school can’t be fun?
If you’re reading this, it means that I have survived my turn at Horse Care Week. Though I’m quite confident I’ve been walking around campus in a mildly comatose state as a result of five days’ sleep deprivation, I must admit that the experience was fun and rewarding.
What is Horse Care Week, you ask? Well, in yet another testament to the strong diversity of the veterinary profession, there remains a stark disparity in the experiences of myself and my classmates. It is interesting to think that some of us have spent our lives caring for members of the equine family while others are just now touching a horse for the first time. Horse Care Week is a Phase 1 curricular requirement at the Ontario Veterinary College (OVC) that aims to bridge this gap between its students — or at the very least, to see it reduced. At some point during the fall semester, students are assigned a week during which they are expected to practice simple horse care tasks prior before their classes. From 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. each morning this past week, you could find me amongst a small portion of classmates walking, grooming, and simply familiarizing ourselves with a group of gentle (and patient!) mares on campus.
As a farm girl and recreational horseback rider, none of this experience was new to me. Yet for many of my classmates, Horse Care Week is an excellent opportunity to gain confidence working with these beautiful, mighty creatures. It was rewarding to see colleagues, who on Monday were timid about leading the horses around, confidently picking out the horses’ hooves by Friday. It’s safe to say that some adorable friendships were formed.Though each person differs in their comfort level with horses, there is no denying that they are large and potentially dangerous animals if not properly handled. Even the most experienced horseperson risks injury if they fail to exercise due diligence in their practice. I say this not to frighten any person considering involvement with these majestic animals, but in profound appreciation for their power and potential. Horse Care Week allows future veterinarians, regardless of stream, to gain exposure to an often enigmatic, yet fascinating, animal.
And hay, isn’t that what vet school’s all about?
Photo provided by Carleigh Cathcart