Shocking Truth Behind Veterinarians' Struggle: The Hidden Emotional Toll in Equine Medicine Unveiled!

In the specialized field of equine veterinary medicine, practitioners frequently encounter a specific form of stress known as moral distress. This particular type of stress emerges when veterinarians find themselves in situations where their actions are constrained, preventing them from following their ethical beliefs and judgments. This critical issue was at the heart of an insightful presentation given by Liz Arbittier, VMD, CVA, and Page Buck, PhD, LCSW, during the 2023 American Association of Equine Practitioners Convention. Arbittier and Buck shed light on the fact that moral distress in this field often springs from a variety of complex and challenging situations. These include the management of laminitis, cases where financial constraints lead to euthanasia, concerns about the well-being of clients, the ethical dilemmas associated with the over-treatment of performance horses, and issues surrounding rider safety.