Equine Clinics (VETS5015)

Course overview

A Clinical Work Integrated Learning (WIL) rotation at the UQ Equine Hospital (Gatton) that immerses students in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of equine cases under veterinary supervision. Students will engage in hands-on clinical procedures, participate in surgery, and undertake after-hours emergency duties. The rotation emphasises a problem-based approach, daily case discussions, and professional conduct, providing essential experience in equine medicine and surgery.

This is a Clinical Internal Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Placement. Students will participate in the diagnosis, treatment and management of client-owned equine cases at the UQ Equine Hospital (Gatton) under the supervision of veterinarians, residents, and qualified nurses in equine medicine and surgery. Students are integrated into the clinical environment of the hospital and are essential participants in case management. Wherever possible, students will be encouraged to perform diagnostic and treatment procedures (including participation in surgery) on clinical cases.

Students will also perform after-hours/emergency duty to gain exposure to equine emergency medicine/surgery, as well as exposure to monitoring and treatment of hospitalised horses. Students will gain experience with a problem-based approach to equine clinical cases. Daily case rounds with veterinarians are conducted to allow detailed discussion of cases. Basic familiarity with common diseases and the management of horses is expected. Students are expected to develop and conform to high professional standards at all times whilst on rotation in the Equine Hospital.

Course requirements

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

VETS4010, VETS4022, VETS4035, VETS4034, VETS4040

Restrictions

Enrolment restricted to Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) students.

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

Additional timetable information

Clinical Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Placement Schedule

Prior to enrolment in the final year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) program, you will be allocated a schedule of Clinical Work Integrated Learning (WIL) placements in UQ’s placement management system, InPlace. A condition of your enrolment in courses with a Clinical WIL placement requirement is the completion of all scheduled WIL placements, including internal and external WIL placements, as per your allocated InPlace schedule.

Once published, variations to your InPlace schedule can only be approved by the School of Veterinary Science Chief Examiner via the submission of an official 'Extension to Assessment Due Date' request (incl. acceptable supporting documentation).

Variation requests will ONLY be considered in line with the acceptable reasons for an extension published on myUQ.

See Learning Activities > Additional Learning Activity Information for more information about Attendance and Absence.

Pre-placement requirements

All students must complete the OHS modules on Blackboard before commencing rotations in the VMC. Additional timetable and induction information is available on Blackboard and should be reviewed by students prior to commencing their respective rotations.

Students will meet with the Course Coordinator for a Q&A session and a tour. Afterwards, cases will be allocated and students will perform their initial clinical examinations.

Equine Medicine and Surgery Rotation

Timetable

The WEEKLY Timetable for students can be found on the Blackboard site.

Students are expected to arrive in time to have clinical examinations and 7 AM treatments performed on all cases by 8 AM. Students are expected to perform a full clinical examination and TPR on all patients in the morning before rounds and a clinical exam including TPR before leaving in the afternoon. Students are expected to take a 1 hour lunch break during the day.

Attendance expectations

Attendance is required on all weekdays during regular business hours. Students are rostered on regular hospital duty for 19 weekdays and 1 weekend. ﾠﾠ

• Each student is required to work one Saturday shift from 7AM to 4PM.
• A total of 3-4 students are rostered on each Saturday. If it is quiet, students may be allowed to leave the clinic during the day but must be available to be called back in for emergencies or help with treatments.
• Students will be responsible for medical cases for approximately 1 1/2 weeks and surgery cases for 2 1/2 weeks. Transfer of cases will occur on Wednesday of week 2 and Thursday of week 3.
• On nights and weekends, 2-4 students will be rostered to be on call for emergency cases. Each student will be rostered on call for 4 weeknights and two 24 hour weekend shifts. The Saturday shift may overlap with hospital duty.
• Students should be within 60 minutes of the hospital when they are on-call. If students are called in after-hours, they will be allowed a 10 hour break before beginning their next shift in the hospital. Case responsibilities will be transferred to another student on that service.

See Learning Activities > Additional Learning Activity Information for more information about Attendance and Absence.

Please check your course Blackboard site frequently for the latest Timetable information. 

Please note that unexpected changes to the Timetable may occur throughout the Semester. Therefore, it is crucial to regularly check the course Blackboard site. Any updates to the timetable will be communicated to students via Blackboard Announcements.   

Aims and outcomes

To gain competency in the basic approach to equine clinical problems in a clinical environment.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Safety in the UQ Equine Hospital

• Hurdle
• Online

Mode

Written

Category

Quiz

Weight

Pass/Fail

Due date

Due by 12 PM on the first day of the Equine Clinical Rotation

Learning outcomes

L02, L08, L09, L12, L13, L14

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

"Safety in the Equine Hospital" Quiz is available through the VETS5015 Blackboard site.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Performance Assessment and Feedback

• Identity Verified
• In-person
• Online

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Placement

Weight

25%

Due date

ONE submission is due by the end of each week of the Equine Clinical Rotation.

Other conditions

Work integrated learning.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11, L12, L13, L14, L15, L16

Task description

Submission guidelines

Students will complete ONE Performance Feedback form for each of the FOUR weeks they are on Equine Clinical Rotation (i.e. a total of FOUR forms are submitted for the 4 week rotation) via MyKnowledge Map.

• Two of the four forms should be submitted to the resident(s) on their service and 2 of 4 forms submitted to the senior clinician(s) on their service.
• The rubric for Performance Assessment is comprised of 5 equally weighted categories (Knowledge, Clinical Skills, Technical Skills, Professional Skills, and Communication). Each category has three performance marks (0/Does not meet standard; 1/Meets standard; 2/Exceeds standard). The rubric has a total of 10 possible marks.
• An average of all daily performance marks is calculated at the end of the Equine Clinical Rotation.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Students with acceptable reasons (medical or compassionate reasons or as a result of exceptional circumstances) may apply for an extension of the deadline.  Information on applying for an extension can be found here: my.UQ Applying for an extension.  

Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time. 

Course Coordinator End of Rotation Review

• Hurdle
• In-person

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Placement

Weight

45%

Due date

Following the completion of the Equine Clinical Rotation

Other conditions

Work integrated learning.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11, L12, L13, L14, L15, L16

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

Performance during the Equine Clinical Rotation is calculated using several components. 

Student submission

Students must complete and submit the following items via MyKnowledge Map:

• Learning Plan (Equine): submitted before starting the first day of rotation and no later than the beginning of the 3rd day.
• Portfolio self‑review (mid): submitted by the end of Week 2, with completion of the post‑review meeting form.
• Portfolio self‑review (end): submitted by Monday morning following the end of the rotation.
• Performance Feedback forms: one per week (four in total), with two submitted to resident(s) and two to senior clinician(s).
• Direct Observation of Procedural Skills (DOPS):
• Clinical Exam (mandatory) plus
• at least TWO of the following: IV catheter placement, endoscopy, or surgery.

Course Coordinator submission

• The Portfolio Review (end) by Course Coordinator

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Students with acceptable reasons (medical or compassionate reasons or as a result of exceptional circumstances) may apply for an extension of the deadline.  Information on applying for an extension can be found here: my.UQ Applying for an extension.  

Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.

Grand Rounds

• In-person

Mode

Oral

Category

Presentation

Weight

10%

Due date

Completed by the end of the Equine Clinical Rotation.

Other conditions

Work integrated learning.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11, L12, L13, L14, L15, L16

Task description

Submission guidelines

Students will present Grand Rounds in person during the 4-week Equine Clinical Rotation.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

Students with acceptable reasons (medical or compassionate reasons or as a result of exceptional circumstances) may apply for an extension of the deadline.  Information on applying for an extension can be found here: my.UQ Applying for an extension.  

Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.

Capstone Examination

• Identity Verified
• In-person

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

20%

Due date

Second End of Semester Exam Period

7/11/2026 - 21/11/2026

Other conditions

Time limited, Secure.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09, L10, L11, L12, L13, L14

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Assessment using the Inspera platform 

Students must click the ‘SUBMIT NOW’ button on the summary page to submit their answers. After submission, a confirmation will appear on the dashboard indicating that the answers have been submitted and can no longer be edited.  

For all exams lasting 60, 90, 120, or 180 minutes, an additional 10 minutes of planning time is provided to read the questions and plan responses, though students may start working immediately if they choose. 

It’s crucial to ensure your laptop meets the device requirements for Inspera assessments before the exam. If you don’t have a suitable laptop, you can borrow one from the Library. Check Get Familiar with Inspera for the most up-to-date information about using the platform. Note that power outlets will not be available during exams. 

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

Students must be available for their examinations on the scheduled date, time, and campus of their course enrolment. The exam format is determined by the Course Coordinator and may include written (paper-based, online, or digital), practical, oral, or other timed assessments (such as quizzes). 

If you are unable to sit for your original examination, you may be eligible for a deferred examination. To apply, you must demonstrate that unavoidable circumstances prevented you from attending your exam. If this is not possible, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam. All requests for deferred examinations MUST include supporting documentation. For more information, including acceptable evidence and application instructions, please visit my.UQ Deferring an Exam. 

Please note that there are no provisions to defer an already-deferred exam. You must be available to sit your deferred examination at the allocated time. Students who submit five or more deferral requests within a twelve-month period will be contacted with advice on the services and support available within the University.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Attendance and absence

Attendance is required at all rostered shifts during each clinical rotation, and forms part of the professionalism criteria on the assessment tasks for each rotation.

• Students are expected to remain until all cases are up-to-date and treated.
• Students must take appropriate breaks as required (at least 10 minutes’ break every two hours) to ensure health and wellbeing.
• Students should check with their rotation supervisor prior to taking a break or leaving for the day.

 All students MUST follow the instructions in the Learning Activities > Additional Learning Activities Information section of this course profile to notify of any absence

Grade calculations

When rounding final marks for grade calculations, part marks of <0.5 will be ROUNDED DOWN to the nearest whole number, and part marks of >/= 0.5 will be ROUNDED UP to the nearest whole number. 

To pass VETS5015

• Students must receive 100% for the "Safety in the Equine Hospital" Quiz
• Students must receive a grade of 1 or greater for all categories in the Course Coordinator End of Rotation Review
• Students must complete the required DOPS to "Meets Standards"

Rotation Performance Assessment and FALP 

Students who receive a “Does not meet standard,” in any category, will be required to undertake a “Formalised Additional Learning Plan” (FALP). A FALP is tailored to the individual student to provide opportunities to improve on and/or demonstrate achievement of the learning objective not met in the performance assessment. ﾠ 

• The FALP may include a repeat of up to 50% of the total rotation time for students who receive a “Does not meet standard” in one or two categories and up to 100% for students who receive a “Does not meet standard” for more than two categories. 
• FALPs may also include clinical case scenarios, written assignments, HUB skills demonstrations, or oral viva-type examinations. ﾠ 
• Upon completion of a FALP, and demonstration of satisfactory performance the mark in that category, the mark in the related category may be adjusted to no greater than 1.0 ("Meets standard"). 
• If the remediation is judged, by the course coordinator, to be unsuccessful, it remains a “Does not meet standard”, the grade remains a zero in that category,ﾠand the student will formally fail the rotation and the course. Students who fail the course may be eligible for a supplementary assessment. 

Details of the FALP will be recorded in the online marking platform, written by the Course Coordinator in collaboration with the student. It will clearly state the deficiency, remediation required and time commitment. The student, in consultation with the Course Coordinator, will be booked in for additional learning as required by the plan by the SVS administration team. The plan should be completed, if possible, no later than one week before the final grade upload for graduation in the current year. Students must make themselves available when additional learning is offered.  

If the plan cannot be completed before grade upload, students will be awarded an INC (Incomplete grade) and may miss graduation for that year. 

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.  

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.   

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.   

Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.  

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment. 

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

Peer-reviewed research journal articles can be found through PubMedﾠdatabase.

UQ Student Support and Wellbeing Services 

Harmonising study and life commitments and seeking help early when needed is essential for successfully navigating university studies. UQ Student Support and Wellbeing Services (SSWS) and UQU Student Advocacy and Support (SAS) offer numerous resources for BVSc(Hons) and BVetTech students, including various mindfulness programs and counselling services to boost confidence and promote overall physical and mental wellbeing. 

If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the UQ Counselling and Crisis Line on 1300 851 998 (available 24/7, 365 days a year). 

The Hub 

The Student Clinical Skills Hub is a purpose-built, state-of-the-art self-directed learning facility located centrally in the School (John Mahon (8105), Room 101) with two main areas and an online resource community available for all SVS students. 

The Hub has a lab where students can practice their clinical skills using standard veterinary equipment, on simulators and/or models in conjunction with supporting audio-visual resources and a smaller communications suite with two working consult rooms, a viewing room and a debriefing space. 

The Hub’s aim is to provide a safe, authentic, self-directed learning environment where students can practice their clinical skills in accordance with individual competences beyond the scheduled contact hours of their programs and further enhance their capacity for self-directed, lifelong learning. 

If you cannot access the community or have any other questions, please contact the Hub Coordinator via svs-hub@uq.edu.au or ext 15046. 

SVS BVSc(Hons) and BVetTech Student Support

The 2026 School of Veterinary Science Student Support Blackboard Site can be found by visiting: [SCIE0586] Student Support for BVSc & BVetTech programs 2026

This site contains links to valuable resources and information for all BVSc(Hons) and BVetTech students. Here you will find information on topics such as: 

• Orientation and new student information 
• Mental health and wellbeing 
• OH&S 
• Program rules and requirements  
• Study planners 
• Equity, diversity and inclusion 
• Study help and support 
• Useful SVS staff contacts – Academic Student Mentors, International Student Mentor, Peers Support Network, SVS Academic Progression and Integrity Officer, SVS Chief Examiner, SVS Director of Students and Admissions, etc. 
• SVS Student Information Resource Handbook 

The site also offers a way for you to share your valuable feedback directly with the School about your experiences as a student. We welcome and encourage your input, as it helps us continually improve our processes. If you have a formal grievance regarding academic or teaching standards, please refer to the Student Grievance Resolution Policy to understand your options and the steps you can take.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Additional learning activity information

Attendance at Clinical WIL placements

Clinical WIL placements are a compulsory component of the final year of the Bachelor of Veterinary Science (Honours) program. Attendance at all Clinical WIL placements as per your InPlace schedule is expected, and full attendance is required to be eligible to pass the course. The requirements for attendance will be communicated via the course Blackboard site and shift times will be advised by the Course Coordinator / Rotation Supervisor (internal placements) or the Placement Supervisor (external placements). 

Absence from clinical placements 

Attendance at a clinical placement is treated in the same way as a course assessment item. Acceptable reasons for absence from clinical placement are in line with the Acceptable reasons for an extension to assessment due date. 

In the event you are unable to attend a clinical placement due to illness or other exceptional circumstances, you must take ALL the following steps: 

1. Notify your placement site prior to your shift start time by phone or email; AND 
2. Email the relevant Course Coordinator and svs-studentabsence@uq.edu.au prior to your shift start time; AND 
3. Submit documentary evidence for your absences (i.e., medical certificate, statutory declaration) no more than 48 hours from when the absence has occurred to svs-studentabsence@uq.edu.au. 

Rescheduling missed day/s 

To make up the lost time resulting from your absence to meet the placement requirements of your course, the following options are available and will depend on the duration/timing of your absence. 

Option 1: Make up day/s 

If it is possible to schedule and complete the required make up day/s within the existing dates of the scheduled placement, this can be arranged directly with your Placement Supervisor/Course Coordinator and ‘resolved’ within the scheduled placement. 

Option 2: Extension* 

Extension applications are required in the following scenarios: 

• It is not possible to schedule and complete the required day/s within the existing scheduled placement dates; OR 
• You are absent for the entire scheduled placement; OR 
• You have missed enough day/s to require rescheduling of the entire placement. 

Apply for an extension to your placement dates via the my.UQ Extension to Assessment Due Date process, to be considered by the SVS Chief Examiner. 

If approved, the SVS Placements Team will liaise with the placement site and adjust your InPlace schedule as required. Where possible*, the make up day/s or rescheduled placement will be scheduled to occur within a holiday period in your schedule. 

*Possible delayed graduation 

Scheduling make up day/s or rescheduled placements within the same academic year will depend on the capacity of the placement site (internal or external) and the student’s individual InPlace schedule. 

In some cases, it may not be possible to schedule make up day/s or reschedule the placement prior to the end of year results release, which may result in delayed completion of the course and program requirements and potentially affect your eligibility to graduate. 

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
• AI for Assessment Guide

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.

You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course:

• Fitness to Practise Policy
• Work Integrated Learning and Work Experience Policy