Association of Austrian Equine Veterinarians (VÖP): Role, Education & Annual Congress

Association of Austrian Equine Veterinarians (VÖP) is the national professional organisation representing veterinarians working in equine practice in Austria.

Founded in 1990, the association supports horse practitioners through continuing professional development (CPD), professional representation, and international collaboration.

VÖP plays a central role in Austrian equine medicine, promoting high clinical standards, supporting veterinarians in daily practice, and ensuring Austria is represented within Europe’s equine veterinary community.

A Brief History

The Association of Austrian Equine Veterinarians was established in 1990 by a group of Austrian horse veterinarians seeking a dedicated professional body focused solely on equine practice.

At the time, most veterinary organisations in Austria were generalist, leaving equine practitioners without specialised representation.

Since then, VÖP has grown steadily, organising national scientific meetings, connecting members with European colleagues, and representing Austria in the Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations (FEEVA).

Mission & Objectives

The mission of VÖP is to advance equine veterinary medicine in Austria while supporting its members professionally. Its key objectives include:

Continuing education (CPD): Organising national training, seminars, and scientific meetings.
Knowledge sharing: Providing a forum for exchange between practitioners, researchers, and academics.
Professional advocacy: Acting as a unified voice for Austrian horse vets in national and European discussions.
Equine welfare: Promoting evidence-based practice and high standards of horse health.
International collaboration: Engaging with FEEVA and global veterinary bodies to ensure Austrian vets are represented on the international stage.

What Does the Association of Austrian Equine Veterinarians (VÖP) Do?

The Association of Austrian Equine Veterinarians (VÖP):

Represents equine veterinarians at national and European level
Provides continuing professional development (CPD) and scientific education
Organises Austria’s main equine veterinary congress
Promotes equine welfare and evidence-based clinical standards
Connects Austrian practitioners with Europe through FEEVA

Member Services & Benefits

Members of VÖP enjoy:

Access to Austria’s main equine veterinary scientific meeting.
Networking with colleagues across Austria and Europe.
Representation in national veterinary matters affecting equine practice.
Discounted registration at international CPD events.
Updates on clinical, regulatory, and welfare issues impacting daily practice.

VÖP Congress & Events

The VÖP Annual Congress is Austria’s leading scientific meeting for equine veterinarians and the centrepiece of the association’s educational programme.

When: Each year, usually in autumn.
Where: Rotating venues across Austria, including Vienna, Salzburg, and Graz.
What to expect: Scientific presentations, hands-on workshops, wet labs, and a trade exhibition.

The congress is increasingly attended by veterinarians from neighbouring countries, reflecting Austria’s central position within the European equine veterinary landscape.

International Links

VÖP represents Austrian equine veterinarians internationally through its membership of FEEVA, ensuring Austria contributes to European discussions on equine welfare, medicines regulation, and professional standards.

Through FEEVA, VÖP collaborates with organisations like BEVA (UK), AVEF (France), BEPS (Belgium), and GPM/GEVA (Germany).

Connection to British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA): Members of VÖP may be eligible for BEVA Affiliate Membership, providing access to journals, CPD resources, webinars, and Congress registration.

Learn about BEVA Affiliate Membership →

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Why VÖP Matters to Equine Vets

For Austrian horse practitioners, VÖP provides:

A professional identity dedicated to equine medicine.
Access to education, CPD, and scientific collaboration.
Representation in national and European veterinary policy.
A network of colleagues committed to equine welfare.

For international veterinarians, VÖP offers a chance to connect with Central European practice and attend one of the region’s respected equine congresses.

This overview has been prepared by The Equine Practice Company, an education-focused organisation supporting equine veterinarians worldwide through clinical CPD, professional resources, and international collaboration.

Join Our Community

We already have Austrian equine veterinarians among our subscribers, alongside colleagues from Switzerland, Germany, and across Europe.

By joining this community, you can exchange ideas, gain access to international resources, and contribute to the shared mission of advancing equine veterinary medicine.