Medicine and Surgery of the Horse

Specialisation in Equine Medicine and Surgery

Director: Professor Micaela Sgorbini

Class: Animal Health

Administrative headquarters: Department of Veterinary Sciences, Location of San Piero a Grado

The specialist in Equine Medicine and Surgery must develop scientific and professional knowledge, both theoretical and practical, in the field of equine clinical practice. In particular, they must acquire adequate proficiency in Internal Medicine, Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Infectious Diseases, Hygiene and Prevention, and Sports Medicine.

Admission

Pending the issuance of the decree allocating the resources provided by the 2025 Budget Law for scholarships intended for veterinary residents, the admission notice for the school is suspended.

Admission is through a notice available on the University of Pisa website.
The notice will specify the number of available places.
The University website also provides procedures, forms, and past exam papers.

Maximum number of enrolments per academic year: 15.


Number of additional admissions (subject to available capacity):

  1. Military Veterinarians: 2
  2. Veterinarians with permanent contracts in the Health Service of the Tuscany Region: 1

The operation of the school is governed by the Regulations.

ECTS Specification: One University Credit (CFU) is equivalent to:

  • 12/25 hours for lectures or equivalent educational activities (15 hours of individual study);
  • 15/25 hours for internship activities (T – 10 hours of individual work);
  • 15-25 hours for internship activities (T -10 hours of individual work);

These activities contribute to achieving 70% of the total CFUs allocated to professional training activities.

Access requirements

The following requirements are required for admission to the competitions, under penalty of exclusion:

  • Master’s degree or single-cycle degree in Veterinary Medicine (class 47/S or LM-42), or a five-year ‘old system’ degree in Veterinary Medicine, and the qualification to practice as a veterinarian in Italy.
    If the qualification has not yet been obtained, it must be acquired by the date set for the start of academic activities.
  • Single-cycle Master’s degree qualifying for the profession of Veterinarian (class LM-42) introduced by Ministerial Decree No. 653 of 05-07-2022
  • Foreign qualification equivalent to the Italian academic degree required for admission. For the evaluation of the qualification, a legally recognised certificate and additional declarations specified in the admission notice are required.

Educational Objectives

  • Anatomy and basic disciplines: topographical anatomy of superficial and deep layers and updated knowledge of normal anatomy in the equine species;
  • Biochemistry, Physiology, and Biomechanics: digestive, respiratory, and neuromuscular biochemistry, general and clinical biochemistry, physiology of organs and systems, and biomechanics;
  • Nutrition: fundamentals of food and toxicological bromatology;
  • Clinical Methodology: approach to individual, group, and herd patients, clinical examination, differential diagnosis, and development of therapeutic and prophylactic protocols;
  • Emergency and Medico-Legal Aspects: first aid, emergency management, clinical assessment, and knowledge of veterinary legislation;
  • Surgery and Related Disciplines: general surgery, pathological anatomy, and podiatry;
  • Reproduction and Biotechnologies: reproductive pathophysiology, gynecology and obstetrics, andrology, artificial insemination, embryo transfer, and biotechnologies applied to the equine species.

Further information is available by consulting the School Regulations.

Educational Offer

First year

MODULEACTIVITIESSCIENTIFIC-DISCIPLINARY SECTORECTS
Topographical Anatomy of EquidsLVET/01 (new sector MVET-01/A) Veterinary Anatomy2,5
Physiology of EquidsLVET/02 (new sector MVET-01/B) Veterinary Physiology2,5
Genetic Improvement in EquidsLAGR/17 (new sector AGRI-09/A) General Animal Husbandry and Genetic Improvement1
Nutrition and Feeding of EquidsL+TAGR/18 (new sector AGRI-09/B) Animal Nutrition and Feeding1,5+3
Equine Breeding TechnologiesL+TVET/03 (new sector MVET-02/A) General Pathology and Veterinary Pathological Anatomy2+2
Infectious Diseases in EquidsL+T VET/05 (new sector MVET-03/A) Infectious Diseases of Domestic Animals2+3
Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases in EquidsL+TVET/06 (new sector MVET-03/B) Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases of Animals1+2
Pharmacology, Pharmacodynamics, and Pharmacovigilance in EquidsLVET/07 (new sector MVET-04/A) Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology2
Internal Medicine in EquidsL+TVET/08 (new sector MVET-04/B) Veterinary Medical Clinic2+7
Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, and Anesthesiology in EquidsL+TVET/09 (new sector MVET-05/A) Veterinary Surgical Clinic2+8
Gynecology, Andrology, and Obstetrics in EquidsL+TVET/10 (new sector MVET-05/B) Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic2+8
Computer Science and StatisticsL1
Communication Skills and Business ManagementL2

Legend:
L=lectures
T=internship

Second year

MODULEACTIVITIESSCIENTIFIC-DISCIPLINARY SECTORECTS
Post-Mortem Diagnostics in EquidsL+TVET/03 (new sector MVET-02/A) General Pathology and Veterinary Pathological Anatomy1+1
Epidemiology, Animal Health Regulation, and Biosecurity in EquidsL+T VET/05 (new sector MVET-03/A) Infectious Diseases of Domestic Animals1+1
Toxicology in EquidsLVET/07 (new sector MVET-04/A) Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology2
Internal Medicine in EquidsL+PT+TVET/08 (new sector MVET-04/B) Veterinary Medical Clinic3+1+3
Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, and Anesthesiology in EquidsL+PT+TVET/09 (new sector MVET-05/A) Veterinary Surgical Clinic1+5
Gynecology, Andrology, and Obstetrics in EquidsVET/10 (new sector MVET-05/B) Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic1+5
Rural Economics and Land ValuationLAGR/01 (new sector AGRI-01/A) Rural Economics and Land Appraisal3
Sports Physiology and Training, Endoscopy, TW and BAL, Ultrasound in HorsesL+PT+TVET/08 (new sector MVET-04/B) Veterinary Medical Clinic1+1+5
Cardiology in HorsesL+PT+TVET/08 (new sector MVET-04/B) Veterinary Medical Clinic1+1+5
Anesthesiology and Analgesia in HorsesVET/09 (new sector MVET-05/A) Veterinary Surgical Clinic1+1+5
Diagnostic Imaging in Equine OrthopaedicsVET/09 (new sector MVET-05/A) Veterinary Surgical Clinic1+1+5
Mare ReproductionVET/10 (new sector MVET-05/B) Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic1+1+5
Stallion ReproductionVET/10 (new sector MVET-05/B) Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic1+1+5

Legend:
L=Lectures
PT=Practical Teaching
T=Internship

Third year

MODULEACTIVITIESSCIENTIFIC-DISCIPLINARY SECTORECTS
Internal Medicine in EquidsPT+TVET/08 (new sector MVET-04/B) Veterinary Medical Clinic1+12
Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, and Anesthesiology in EquidsPT+TVET/09 (new sector MVET-05/A) Veterinary Surgical Clinic1+12
Gynecology, Andrology, and Obstetrics in EquidsPT+TVET/10 (new sector MVET-05/B) Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic1+11
Internal Medicine in EquidsTVET/08 (new sector MVET-04/B) Veterinary Medical Clinic13
Surgery, Diagnostic Imaging, and Anesthesiology in EquidsTVET/09 (new sector MVET-05/A) Veterinary Surgical Clinic13
Gynecology, Andrology, and Obstetrics in EquidsTVET/10 (new sector MVET-05/B) Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic13
Final Exam9

Legend:
PT=Practical Teaching
T=Internship

Career opportunities

The specialization diploma allows access to professional opportunities in companion animal clinical practice, with expertise in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases affecting various systems, as well as in specialised veterinary medicine, prevention, and advanced clinical care.

1) In the public sector:

  • Work in Zooprophylactic Institutes
  • Work in Local Health Authorities (ASL)

2) Leadership roles in the private sector and consultancy:

  • Academic Research
  • Private practice (field/clinical practice)
  • Consultancy for stables and racetracks, and equine sports medicine
  • Medical Management of Veterinary Clinics

Class schedule

Educational activities are generally scheduled over two days per week.

Curricular internship – training project

The internship is carried out as part of the training activities provided for by the School of Specialization in Equine Medicine and Surgery, in line with the credits assigned to practical and professionalizing activities.

The internship also contributes to achieving the mandatory professional development activities required by the educational system.

I year Internship
SUBJECTECTSHoursDays (8h/die)Internal Tutor
Nutrition2304Pofessor Sara Minieri
Livestock technologies1153Dr. Claudia Curadi
General pathology and pathological anatomy2304Professor Carlo Cantile
Infectious diseases3456Professor Maurizio Mazzei
Parasitology and parasitic diseases2304Professor Roberto Papini
Internal Medicine69012Professor Micaela Sgorbini
Surgery710513Professor Angela Briganti
Riproduction710513Professor Duccio Panzani
II year Internship
SUBJECTECTSHoursResponsible
Cadaveric diagnostics115Professor Carlo Cantile
Epidemiology, health police, biosecurity115Professor Micaela Sgorbini
Internal Medicine8120Professor Micaela Sgorbini
Surgery7105Dr. Angela Briganti
Gynecology8120Professor Duccio Panzani
Internal Medicine575Professor Micaela Sgorbini
Surgery575Professor Micaela Sgorbini
Riproduction575Professor Simonetta Citi
III year Internship
SUBJECTMandatory ECTSMandatory hours
Internal Medicine12180
Anesthesia/surgery/diagnostic imaging12180
Ginecology and Andrology11165