Equine Athlete has thoughtfully developed internship and externship programs designed to help veterinarians grow professionally.

Our approach focuses on practicing a high level of veterinary medicine, mastering technical skills, and developing a comprehensive understanding of case management.

With several satellite ambulatory locations throughout the country, Simpsonville, Kentucky is home to Equine Athlete's state-of-the-art diagnostic and surgical hospital! Previously known as Kentucky Equine Hospital and founded as Equine Services (1981), Kentucky Equine Athlete Hospital seeks to merge practical expertise with superior clinical care by providing sophisticated imaging techniques, lameness evaluations, and surgical solutions.

We are proud to offer the most advanced diagnostic technology available, as well as top-of-the-line ambulatory and emergency care to our clients. Our ambulatory doctors service the surrounding areas and provide a complete range of services from herd health/ wellness, dentistry, lameness/sports medicine, reproductive services (mare, stallion, embryo flush/transfer) and emergency services.

“Our brand new, state-of-the-art surgical and advanced imaging facility has two surgical suites, standing surgery stocks, and houses our new CT scan, nuclear scintigraphy and PET scan, as well as outpatient lameness diagnostic area.”

Internship Opportunities

A one year internship is available for recently graduated veterinarians. The intern doctors are involved in all aspects of the practice. Their duties include ambulatory calls, assisting in surgery and with lameness cases, diagnostic imaging, monitoring and case oversight of hospital cases, and independent case and emergency coverage when their skill level dictates. On-site housing and practice vehicle is provided.

Externship Opportunities

Externships are available for veterinary students to shadow both in-hospital and on ambulatory calls. We welcome students to come spend two weeks at the hospital. On site housing is available for externs.

Our Services

  • Surgical cases comprise 60% of the hospital case load. We are fully equipped for routine and emergent surgeries. Types of surgeries typically performed include orthopedic (arthroscopy, fracture repair), soft tissue, upper airway, and general surgery.

  • Our ambulatory doctors provide care to a wide variety of patients and clientele in the surrounding areas. Our services range from herd health/wellness, reproduction, dentistry, lameness/sports medicine, medical cases, and 24/7 emergency care to our existing clients.

  • Our veterinarians routinely perform lameness and sports medicine evaluations both at the hospital and on the farm. With advanced diagnostic imaging and experienced lameness practitioners, we are able to provide high-level diagnostics and treatment modalities. We offer PRP, Prostride, IRAP, stem cell therapy, traditional joint therapies, and shockwave and laser therapy. Dr. Sutter offers a complete range of orthopedic surgical procedures.

  • Our hospital provides a wide range of theriogenology services, including estrous cycle management/monitoring, ovulation timing, AI with fresh, cooled and frozen semen, and pregnancy diagnosis and management. Stallion services for semen collection, evaluation and shipment are offered, as well as embryo management with flushing/ processing or transfer into a recipient.

  • Our diagnostic imaging equipment includes digital radiography, digital ultrasound, MRI, static and dynamic endoscopy with 1m and 3m gastroscopy, PET scan, nuclear scintigraphy, and a new Qalibra CT.

  • We offer routine ophthalmology care through our ambulatory service. For complex ophthalmolgic treatments, therapies, and surgeries, we partner with specialist Dr. Erica Tolar, DACVO.