Employment Information
Practice name
Bluegrass Equine Surgery
Last Updated
October 6, 2025
Internship Type
Combined
Equine Surgical Internship – Bluegrass Equine Surgery
Lexington, Kentucky
Bluegrass Equine Surgery, located just outside of Lexington, Kentucky, is a specialty equine referral hospital providing comprehensive surgical and medical care to equine patients. Established with a strong commitment to excellence in patient care and client service, the practice serves both local and international clients and provides ambulatory services to many of the region’s premier Thoroughbred farms. Our hospital is equipped with advanced diagnostic and therapeutic technologies, supporting a full spectrum of equine health care throughout all stages of life.
Program Description
In response to the evolving demands of the equine industry, Bluegrass Equine Surgery has established a structured Equine Surgical Internship Program. The program is designed to provide interns with extensive clinical training and practical experience in equine surgery and related disciplines. Interns will gain direct exposure to case management under the supervision of board-certified specialists, with the goal of preparing them for residency training or advanced clinical practice.
Clinical Rotations
Surgery: 13 weeks
Radiology & Imaging: 10 weeks
Anesthesia: 5 weeks
Lameness: 10 weeks
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates must be eligible for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in the United States.
Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for graduates who are not license-eligible.
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit a curriculum vitae or résumé, along with inquiries regarding the program, to:
Emily Lunsford
📧 elunsford@petvetcarecenters.com
2
- Equine general practice
- Racetrack practice
- Sports medicine practice
- Equine/LA surgical residency
- Equine/LA medicine residency
Start date
June 1, 2026
End date
June 1, 2027
Application Deadline
May 31, 2026
Does the practice offer externships?
Yes, please email the practice contact for details
Is an in person visit or externship with the practice required to be considered for an internship?
No, but recommended
Contact Information
Versailles
[USA] Kentucky
Woodford
40383
3550 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 40383
Practice Mailing Address
3550 Lexington Road, Versailles, KY 40383 - Versailles - Woodford - [USA] Kentucky - 40383
Clinical Experience and Responsibilities
Yes
Service rotation description
Intern will rotate between services
No
Yes
Yes
No
100%
Patient rounds held daily with senior clinicians
No
Teaching rounds held
No
Weekly journal clubs held
Yes
M&M or other specialized rounds held
No
Intern has opportunity to attend a professional CE meeting
No
Intern has opportunity to complete a study or publication
Yes
Intern has access to current medical textbooks
Yes
Intern has access to online journals
Yes
In the past 5 years, how many studies/cases have been published by interns as the primary author from work pursued primarily during their intern year?
Equipment the intern has exposure to within the practice
- Fracture repair sets
- Endoscopy
- Digital radiography
- Ultrasound linear probe
- Ultrasound endorectal probe
- Nuclear scintigraphy
- Shockwave
- Other (please list)
Fracture repair sets, X-Ray machines, Ultrasounds (linear and rectal), Nuclear Scintigraphy, Shockwave Therapy, Video endoscope, Anesthesia Equipment, dynascopes, endoscopy tower, centrifuges, prostride, PRP, Idexx Lab Equipment
Any additional information the practice would like to share on their internship program:
Exposure to the Thoroughbred sales industry, wet labs are held within the clinic
Caseload
Total number annual cases
10508
Total number ambulatory cases
6345
Total number in-house cases
2892
Avg number of after hour emergencies per week in the busiest time of year
Less than 5
Avg number of after hour emergencies per week in the least busy time of year
Less than 5
Significant seasonality to the caseload
Yes
Seasonality description
Thoroughbred sales and breeding seasons
Species other than equids
No
Number of specialty certified clinicians
Number of clinicians in direct support of program
6
Diplomats of the following specialties (including their European Equivalents)
ACVS – American College of Veterinary Surgery - 1
Other personnel of note (outside specialists, farriers, dentists, etc)
n/a
Additional certifications/area of expertise represented in the practice
Acupuncture certification
Technician present on ambulatory calls
Yes
Overnight technical staff (if hospital present)
Yes
Other details about technician support of intern doctors
There are plenty of technicians at the hospital that are available to help interns and doctors 24/7. Technicians are trained for both field procedures and in house surgical procedures
Compensation
Annual Salary
$56-60k
Additional opportunity for emergency compensation
No
Opportunities for additional income (production bonuses, working horse shows, etc).
No
Benefits
Benefits offered
Yes
Value of total annual compensation
n/a
Housing offered
No
Housing Type
Other
Housing Amount
$
Paid time off (PTO) offered
Yes
# of PTO days
5
PTO stipulations
Taken at times consistent with the reasonable business needs
Health insurance offered
Yes for employee
Amount of health insurance premium intern is responsible for
n/a
Dental insurance offered
Yes
Life insurance offered
Yes
Short-term disability insurance offered
Yes
Long-term disability insurance offered
Yes
Liability insurance offered
Yes
CE stipend offered
Yes
License/DEA fees reimbursed / stipend offered
Yes
State license required
Yes
USDA license required
No
DEA license required
No
Association fees reimbursed / stipend offered
Yes
Student loan payments reimbursed / stipend offered
No
401K program offered
No
Clothing / logo wear stipend offered
No
Phone or phone stipend offered
No
Maternity / paternity leave offered
No
Discounted pet care and / or a pet medications policy offered
No
Practice vehicle or mileage reimbursement offered
Yes
Other benefits offered
n/a
Contract
Non-compete clause required
Yes
Non-compete details
12 months
Non-US residents may apply
No
Method internship offers are made
Following interviews
Earliest date of internship offer made in the last 3 years
February
Latest date of internship offer made in the last 3 years
May
Average time provided to internship candidates to consider an offer
2-3 weeks
Outcomes Assessment
How long has the practice offered internships?
2 years
Avg number of interns who completed the program per year for the past 5 years
2
Number of interns from this program who applied for a residency in the past 5 years
Number of interns from this program who entered a residency position directly out of the internship in the past 5 years
Number of interns from this program who accepted a second or specialty internship in the past 5 years
1
Number of interns from this program who accepted a residency position in the past 5 years
Number of interns retained by the practice as associates in the past 5 years
Of the interns that started the program in the past 5 years, how many are still in equine practice (and/or in an advanced training program targeted at specialty equine practice)?
100%
Number of former interns currently employed by the practice
Are current or former interns from the practice available for reference?
Yes, email the practice contact for details.
Additional information about the internship program
Program Description In response to the evolving demands of the equine industry, Bluegrass Equine Surgery has established a structured Equine Surgical Internship Program. The program is designed to provide interns with extensive clinical training and practical experience in equine surgery and related disciplines. Interns will gain direct exposure to case management under the supervision of board-certified specialists, with the goal of preparing them for residency training or advanced clinical practice. Clinical Rotations • Surgery: 13 weeks • Radiology & Imaging: 10 weeks • Anesthesia: 5 weeks • Lameness: 10 weeks