A total of 379 veterinary students from 27 vet schools in the United States and four from Canada gathered Aug. 29-31 in Lexington, Ky., to learn about the ins and outs of being an equine veterinarian at the first annual Opportunities in Equine Veterinary Practice conference. (Click here for pictures from the event.)

Last year, from the 2,243 students who graduated from veterinary schools in North America, only 94 (4%) said they planned to become equine practitioners. That’s a worrisome number to horse owners, to veterinarians, and to the horse industry at large