Royal Veterinary College (RVC): Equine Referral, CPD & Specialist Training for Equine Veterinarians
The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in the UK is the oldest (founded 1791) and largest veterinary school in the country, and is consistently ranked among the world’s top veterinary institutions.
Today RVC is a University of London college noted for its research, teaching and clinical services in veterinary science, including a major focus on equine health.
This guide is written for practising equine veterinarians seeking reliable information about the Royal Veterinary College’s equine referral services, advanced diagnostics, continuing professional development (CPD), and specialist training pathways.
If you are considering:
- Referring a complex equine case
- Accessing advanced imaging or multidisciplinary expertise
- Undertaking postgraduate equine training or CPD
- Collaborating with an international referral hospital
This article explains how RVC supports equine clinicians in practice, rather than undergraduate admissions or student pathways.
RVC’s equine faculty at the Hawkshead campus (Hertfordshire) combines world-leading research with an equine referral hospital and the largest number of RCVS-certified equine specialists of any UK vet school.
This means RVC offers 24/7 emergency care, referral medicine and surgery, and ambulatory first-opinion practice for horses – all backed by state-of-the-art facilities and staff.
In short, RVC’s Equine Practice provides world-class care and education in a single setting: their equine hospital treats complex cases with advanced diagnostics, while The Royal Veterinary College research teams push boundaries in equine science.
This integration ensures that students, practitioners and researchers benefit from the latest knowledge and techniques, and that horses and owners everywhere benefit from RVC innovations.
When Do Equine Veterinarians Refer to the RVC?
Equine veterinarians typically refer cases to the Royal Veterinary College when advanced diagnostics, multidisciplinary expertise, or 24-hour specialist care are required.
Common referral scenarios include:
- Complex or refractory lameness cases
- Advanced orthopaedic and soft-tissue injuries
- Equine MRI, CT, scintigraphy or specialist imaging
- Neonatal foals and critical care cases
- Neurological, ophthalmic or cardiothoracic conditions
- Poorly responsive medical or surgical cases requiring second opinion
The RVC equine referral hospital provides round-the-clock emergency services and works closely with referring veterinarians to ensure continuity of care, transparent communication, and clear return-to-practice plans.
RVC Equine Referral Hospital & Advanced Clinical Services
RVC’s equine hospital is a full-service referral center supported by a multidisciplinary team of specialists. In fact, they have the largest number of accredited equine specialists of any UK teaching hospital.
The Royal Veterinary College equine hospital functions as both a national and international referral centre for equine practitioners.
It can offer every discipline – from orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine to cardiology, ophthalmology, dermatology and more – working together on complex cases. Their hospital provides emergency surgery and intensive care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
They have advanced imaging labs on site (digital radiography, ultrasonography, low-field MRI, standing CT, bone scanning) so that horses referred to the hospital can be assessed with every modern modality.
RVC also run specialist outpatient clinics: for example oncology or overground endoscopy days, to complement The Royal Veterinary College in-hospital services.
Advanced Equine Imaging at RVC
The Royal Veterinary College offers one of the most comprehensive equine imaging suites in Europe, supporting accurate diagnosis of complex and performance-limiting conditions.
Available modalities include:
- Standing CT
- Low-field MRI
- Nuclear scintigraphy (bone scanning)
- Digital radiography and ultrasonography
These tools are integrated into multidisciplinary case reviews, allowing imaging findings to be interpreted alongside clinical examination, gait analysis and surgical planning.
All equine patients are cared for by a large team of vets, RCVS-certified specialists, technicians and nurses under specialist supervision, ensuring individualised care plans for each case.
This collaborative model has allowed RVC clinicians to develop new diagnostic and treatment approaches that are not available elsewhere in one place – benefiting patients at RVC and globally.
The Royal Veterinary College hospital’s horse wards are designed for patient comfort and safety. They have up to 35 spacious box stalls (American barn style) to stable patients. All stalls have rubber bedding and high-quality shavings, and horses are monitored around the clock.
The Royal Veterinary College run a dedicated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with six stalls equipped for continuous infusions, oxygen, and padded neuro-stalls for horses with neurological problems.
A purpose-built isolation suite allows RVC to safely manage contagious cases (e.g. strangles, enteric diseases) under strict biosecurity. There are also special wards for mares and foals – including a neonatal foal ICU – so critical newborns receive round-the-clock care.
Finally, Royal Veterinary College even have turnout paddocks and a trot-up arena for supervised exercise as part of rehabilitation. In short, RVC equine care combines referral-level medicine and surgery with top-tier patient management facilities – a rare resource for equine vets worldwide.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for Equine Vets
Is RVC CPD Suitable for Experienced Equine Veterinarians?
Yes. RVC CPD is designed primarily for established equine clinicians, referral practitioners, and veterinarians seeking advanced diagnostics or specialist-level understanding.
Courses are particularly suited to vets with interests in:
- Lameness and gait analysis
- Advanced imaging (MRI, CT, radiology)
- Orthopaedics and sports medicine
- Equine internal medicine and rehabilitation
Many courses are delivered online or in hybrid formats, making them accessible to international practitioners without extended time away from practice.
RVC is committed to lifelong learning and offers extensive continuing education for equine veterinarians worldwide. The Royal Veterinary College CPD platform provides both online and onsite courses across equine topics.
For example, RVC runs intensive tutor-led online courses on advanced imaging (Equine MRI, CT, Radiology), lameness and gait analysis, ultrasound, rehabilitation, clinical pathology, and more.
These courses use case-based discussions and interactive forums, so vets from around the globe can participate without leaving home.
The Royal Veterinary College also run practical hands-on workshops on campus: onsite hoof workshops, surgical technique labs, ultrasound diagnostics and other skills courses (often in small groups).
The Royal Veterinary College recorded webinars and “Webinar Plus” series cover current equine practice issues – from endocrinopathic laminitis to sports medicine – allowing busy vets flexible access to CPD hours.
Special mention goes to the RVC Equine Evening Lecture Series, co-hosted with equine partner groups (e.g. British Horse Society Hertfordshire) for horse owners and professionals.
These popular talks (and their video recordings) cover practical topics like tying-up syndromes, equine dentistry, injury prevention and first aid.
The lecture series is even accredited as CPD for professional coaches. Overall, RVC’s CPD offerings ensure that equine vets worldwide can keep current with the latest equine science and techniques – all delivered by RVC’s leading clinicians and researchers.
Figure: RVC CPD courses range from online imaging seminars to hands-on workshops. For example, RVC offers an intensive online equine MRI course (42 hours) taught by RVC imaging specialists, along with many other equine courses and webinars for vets globally.
How International Equine Veterinarians Work With RVC
Equine veterinarians outside the UK engage with the Royal Veterinary College through multiple pathways, including CPD, research collaboration, visiting clinician programs, and case referral.
RVC’s international accreditations and global reputation allow overseas vets to:
- Access RVC-delivered online CPD and imaging courses
- Refer complex cases when UK-based management is appropriate
- Undertake residencies, MRes or PhD programs
- Collaborate on research, publications and conference presentations
This global integration ensures that RVC’s clinical and research impact extends far beyond the UK.
Cutting-Edge Equine Research and Innovation at The Royal Veterinary College
RVC has been at the forefront of equine research since its founding. The Royal Veterinary College unique setup – combining a major referral hospital with doctoral/postdoctoral researchers and internationally-renowned faculty – has led to breakthroughs benefiting horses and vets everywhere.
Faculty and students work closely with the RVC Structure and Motion Laboratory to advance biomechanics of horse locomotion.
These collaborations are improving the way The Royal Veterinary College diagnose lameness and understand performance: for example, the biomechanics team’s gait analysis studies are generating “fresh insights into performance at all levels,” helping horses both at the RVC and beyond.
RVC researchers have pioneered stem-cell therapies for tendon and ligament injuries, elucidated genetic causes of conditions such as recurrent laryngeal neuropathy, and developed new surgical techniques (e.g. minimally invasive spine surgery).
In 2025 alone, The Royal Veterinary College equine scientists published and launched multiple major studies.
For example, a groundbreaking genomic study revealed key drivers of strangles transmission in UK horses (July 2025) and another study linked thoroughbred foals’ early life experiences to later racing performance (Aug 2025).
In October 2025, RVC launched a large-scale racehorse training injury project, studying musculoskeletal injuries in training Thoroughbreds to develop data-driven prevention strategies.
Thoroughbreds to develop data-driven prevention strategies. These projects – often funded and endorsed by industry and welfare groups – directly translate into improved equine health guidelines and welfare protocols worldwide.
RVC’s equine research doesn’t just stay in the lab: The Royal Veterinary College findings are published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at international conferences, and their trainees (residents, PhDs, interns) carry this expertise back to practices globally.
Equine Education – Undergraduate and Postgraduate Training
Training the next generation of equine vets is central to RVC’s mission. Veterinary Medicine students at RVC are immersed in equine practice during clinical rotations. For example, all students spend a core rotation of at least four weeks on Equine at Hawkshead.
During these rotations they work side-by-side with clinicians in the equine hospital (medicine, surgery, emergency care) and go out on ambulatory calls with The Royal Veterinary College ambulatory veterinarians.
Each student is assigned real cases under supervision – admitting, examining and treating horses – so they build true hands-on skills.
In addition, many students take elective “tracking” rotations in equine specialisms (e.g. equine-only clinics or diagnostic imaging) and partner externships with organizations like The Horse Trust.
In short, RVC offers veterinary undergrads one of the most comprehensive equine clinical educations in the world, guaranteed by 24/7 student involvement in The Royal Veterinary College hospital.
For postgraduate training, RVC offers internationally-renowned programmes for qualified vets who want to specialize. RVC’s Equine Residency tracks are 3–4 year programs (approved by European/American specialist colleges) in equine surgery, medicine, sports medicine & rehabilitation, or large-animal diagnostic imaging.
Residents earn an MVetMed (Master of Veterinary Medicine) degree during their training, and work alongside The Royal Veterinary College board-certified faculty in the referral hospital on real cases. At any time, around 7–8 residents (across disciplines) are training in the hospital.
They rotate through all relevant clinical services and conduct research projects as part of the program.
Upon graduation, RVC residents qualify to sit specialty college exams and go on to careers as equine specialists. (Current residents have followed paths into private referral practice, academia, industry research, or continued PhDs)
RVC also offers a range of taught and research postgraduate courses valuable to equine professionals. For instance, The Royal Veterinary College Master of Research (MRes) in Veterinary Medical Science allows veterinarians to develop research skills; many graduates join leading research institutes or industry R&D.
The Royal Veterinary College run short courses, diplomas and certificate programs (e.g. Certificate in Animal Welfare and Behaviour or advanced clinical topics) via RVC Distance Learning and CPD, often with flexible online options.
Throughout, RVC’s emphasis is on practical, interdisciplinary training – preparing veterinarians for diverse careers in practice, teaching hospitals or industry.
Many of our world-class speakers and collaborators have strong ties to the Royal Veterinary College, either as alumni, former staff, or clinical trainees.
These include respected figures such as Dr. Henry Tremaine, Professor Roger Smith, Dr. Jane Boswell, Rachel Salz, Dr. Dylan Gorvy, Dr. Dave Rendle, Dr. Hannah Boocock, and Dr. Marta Ferrari.
The RVC are especially proud to work with Dr. Sue Dyson, who completed her Certificate in Equine Orthopaedics at RVC in 1985 and has gone on to become one of the most influential voices in equine lameness and orthopaedic diagnostics.
Their expertise is a testament to the calibre of education and training that RVC delivers – shaping leaders in equine veterinary medicine around the world.
International Recognition and Alumni Success
The Royal Veterinary College’s reputation is truly global. In the 2025 QS World University Subject Rankings, RVC was ranked #1 in the world for Veterinary Science, achieving a perfect 100 score in Academic Reputation and very high Employer Reputation.
This reflects that RVC graduates and alumni are highly sought by employers worldwide. The college holds accreditations from all major international bodies: RCVS (UK), AVMA (USA/Canada), EAEVE (EU), AVBC (Australasia) and others. Its degrees (vet medicine, nursing, biology) are recognised around the world.
RVC alumni work in every sector of equine health. Many become first-opinion equine practitioners or referral specialists in private practice. Some pursue academic and teaching careers in veterinary schools globally, or take leadership roles in industry and government (pharmaceuticals, nutrition, welfare organisations).
Others follow the research route – for instance, many RVC MRes and PhD graduates join top equine research institutes or continue as RVC clinical scientists. The College also has an active alumni network (RVC4Life) that connects graduates around the world.
In short, an RVC equine vet degree or specialist qualification opens doors to diverse careers, and RVC’s international standing (top global rank, long heritage, cutting-edge research) gives its alumni a strong professional edge.
Global Collaborations and Contributions to the Equine Community
RVC’s impact extends far beyond the UK, through international partnerships and outreach. One example is the Mars Equestrian Veterinary Research Scholar Programme, a transatlantic scholarship co-run by RVC and the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Vet).
This unique program (launched in 2022) sends a talented graduate through a hybrid training at Penn Vet and RVC, earning an animal welfare certificate and an RVC MRes while conducting equine research. It exemplifies how RVC collaborates globally to train future equine scientists.
RVC also partners with industry and non-profits on projects that benefit horses worldwide. For instance, in 2023 RVC teamed up with the digital platform Equine Register to use horse movement data (from the “Digital Stable” app) to map the risk of infectious diseases among UK horses.
Funded by the Horse Trust, this study collects GPS ride data and travel logs from riders, allowing RVC epidemiologists to identify hotspots and develop strategies for outbreak prevention. Such work has direct implications for biosecurity and disease control in equine populations internationally.
Beyond research, RVC contributes through education and advocacy. The Royal Veterinary College faculty regularly speak at international conferences (FEI veterinary forums, world congresses) and lead committees.
RVC veterinarians also provide outreach to equine communities: for example, RVC’s equine team frequently holds workshops and public lectures on topics like laminitis prevention, emergency first aid, and equine welfare.
In 2025 RVC organized global workshops on using wearable technology for monitoring training workload (part of the racehorse study), and RVC clinicians host visiting specialists from other countries at Hawkshead to share techniques.
Collectively, these efforts – from co-funded global scholarships to industry partnerships to community education – ensure RVC is a hub of equine excellence that benefits the worldwide equine industry.
This overview is based on publicly available information, peer-reviewed publications, institutional disclosures, and the professional experience of equine clinicians who regularly engage with referral hospitals, CPD providers, and academic institutions worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions for Equine Veterinarians
Is the RVC an equine referral hospital?
Yes. The Royal Veterinary College operates a 24/7 equine referral hospital providing advanced diagnostics, surgery, medicine and critical care.
Can international vets access RVC CPD?
Yes. Many RVC CPD courses are available online or in hybrid formats and are used by equine vets worldwide.
Does RVC offer equine MRI and CT?
Yes. RVC provides standing CT, low-field MRI, nuclear scintigraphy and advanced ultrasound as part of its equine imaging services.
Is RVC suitable for complex lameness referrals?
Yes. RVC has specialist teams in orthopaedics, sports medicine and gait analysis, making it a leading referral centre for complex lameness cases.
Learn More – Your Next Step with The Royal Veterinary College
For equine veterinary professionals around the world, the Royal Veterinary College offers an unparalleled combination of clinical excellence, research innovation and education.
Whether you’re seeking advanced clinical referral care for a patient, looking to enhance your skills through CPD, or aiming to train as an equine specialist, RVC’s programs are world-class and internationally accessible.
Discover more at the RVC website or contact The Royal Veterinary College Equine Department – and join the global RVC community advancing horse health and welfare.
Learn how RVC can help your practice thrive, grow your expertise, and connect you with leading-edge equine science. Explore RVC’s equine facilities, courses and collaborations today, and let RVC be your partner in equine excellence.
