Equine Surgeon

We are looking for a board eligible/board certified equine surgeon or an experienced equine veterinarian with significant surgical experience to join our team of five equine veterinarians as part of a planned succession for our current surgeon, who is nearing retirement. 

Our purpose-built equine hospital facility is located on the edge of Invercargill in southern New Zealand. Our equine hospital is set on 1.5 hectares adjacent to the Invercargill Racecourse and operates from a recently developed barn featuring: 

• 7 stables with adjacent paddocking and dedicated isolation area 

• 3 day boxes for outpatients 

• 2 treatment rooms with stocks 

• Dedicated surgical suite 

• Shared site with our recently renovated small animal clinic. 
  
  

Caseload & Clinical Work 

Our client population consists of approximately 40% Standardbred racehorses, 5% Thoroughbred racehorses, and 55% sport and pleasure horses. The current surgical caseload is currently light, with approximately 55-65 standing and table surgeries per year. We have a highly motivated client base and a large referral catchment area, with owners who are committed to obtaining the best possible care for their horses.  

The role includes a mix of: 

• Elective and Emergency Surgeries 

• Lameness & Poor Performance Investigations 

• Pre-purchase Examinations – Racehorse & Sporthorse 

• Specialised Procedures and Examinations 

• Ambulatory equine work 
  
  

You will be joining: 

• A team of five equine veterinarians 

• Four experienced equine veterinary technicians 

• Locum veterinarians during the summer period 

You will also participate in a shared on-call roster. 

Equipment 

• Dedicated Surgical Suite with arthroscopy facilities 

• Digital Radiography & Ultrasound 

• Video Endoscopy and Gastroscopy  

• Comprehensive In-house Laboratory Testing  

Southland Community & Lifestyle 

VetSouth is a proudly New Zealand-owned veterinary group with nine clinics across Southland and South Otago and is part of a wider network of over 50 clinics throughout New Zealand and Australia. This provides our veterinarians with strong professional support, ongoing development opportunities, and the backing of a progressive and influential organisation within the veterinary industry. 

VetSouth is proud to be actively involved in the local equine community. We regularly sponsor equestrian events and races, deliver seminars, and support pony clubs and racing cadet training programmes. 

Invercargill and the surrounding region offer a great balance of strong community connection with the conveniences of a larger town. The area provides easy access to an abundance of New Zealand’s most beautiful natural landscapes in Fiordland, The Catlins, and Central Otago, offering a wonderful playground for those who love snow sports, hiking, camping, wine tasting, and exceptional food. Invercargill also offers excellent schools, childcare options, and an amazing community network of social sports and activities. 
 

What We Offer 

• NZD$3,000 (tax-free) relocation allowance to support your move. 

• Up to $2,200 per year for Continuing Professional Development, with 25% available for personal wellbeing. 

• Chamber of Commerce memberships offering local retail discounts. 

• Competitive salary and on-call remuneration. 

• NZVA and VCNZ fees fully covered annually. 

• Temporary accommodation provided to help you settle in. 

• Accredited Employer with full visa support available. 

• Flexible work schedule for the right candidate. 
  
  

Interested? 

We are highly motivated to find the right long-term fit for our practice. If you’re considering your next career move within the next 1–2 years, we would love to hear from you. 

📩 Contact: HR@vetsouth.co.nz for a detailed position description and a further discussion. 

More about us:  

Website: https://www.vetsouth.co.nz/equine/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VetSouthEquine