Ohio State Surveys Horse Owners on Vet Preferences
A nationwide anonymous survey asks horse owners and riders how they view veterinary attire, communication, and billing.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Large Animals
Live Poll
Do you trust your horse veterinarian's billing and communication practices?
Ohio State University researchers have launched a nationwide anonymous survey of horse owners and riders about their preferences for veterinary professional attire, communication styles, and billing. The survey takes approximately five minutes to complete and is open to owners and riders from all backgrounds and disciplines.
Why it matters
The research aims to ground veterinary instruction in what horse owners and riders actually value rather than outdated assumptions. For U.S. horse owners, the results could shape how future veterinarians approach farm-call interactions.
The survey takes approximately five minutes and is completely anonymous. Results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed veterinary journal, but no timeline for publication was provided.
The players
Ohio State University
A public research university in Columbus, Ohio, whose College of Veterinary Medicine conducts the study.
Jonathan Yardley, DVM
An associate professor-clinical in equine field service at Ohio State University who leads the survey and teaches fourth-year veterinary students on farm calls.
The details
Led by Jonathan Yardley, DVM, an associate professor-clinical in equine field service at Ohio State University, the study is IRB-approved and examines how generations, riding disciplines, and demographics perceive veterinary professional attire, communication styles, and billing preferences. Yardley teaches fourth-year veterinary students on farm calls, and the study is open to horse owners and riders nationwide.
Timeline
Survey launched November 4, 2026.
Roadmap
The survey extends the work of Ohio State's equine field service program, which trains veterinary students through farm calls with horse owners. It reflects a broader push in veterinary education to align clinical instruction with client expectations rather than long-standing professional norms.
Horse owners and riders who complete the survey can shape how veterinary students learn to communicate on farm calls. The findings may influence the attire, communication style, and billing practices that owners encounter from their veterinarians.
The takeaway
Horse owners who want their preferences heard can complete the five-minute anonymous survey, which is open to riders of every discipline. Participating gives veterinary educators direct input on how care is delivered.
Further reading
Explore more in Large Animals coverage on horse and livestock care.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Horse.
Live Poll
Do you trust your horse veterinarian's billing and communication practices?
