Investing in the Future of Equine Care
Supporting the Next Generation of Equine Professionals
The future of equine care depends on the professionals preparing to lead it. Through the NAEP Student Scholarship Program, we are proud to invest in veterinary and farrier students who share our commitment to lifelong learning, professional collaboration, and the health and well-being of the horse.
Each year, the NAEP awards two scholarships - one to a veterinary student and one to a farrier student - providing recipients with the opportunity to experience the Saratoga Equine Practitioners Conference, learn from respected leaders in the field, build meaningful professional connections, and become part of a community committed to working Together for the Horse.
MORE THAN A SCHOLARSHIP. AN EXPERIENCE.
Scholarship recipients receive an all-expenses-paid opportunity to attend the Saratoga Equine Practitioners Conference, including:
Round-trip travel to and from the conference from within North America
Accommodations at the official conference host hotel
Full conference registration
Registration for the hands-on Wet Lab Day
Opportunities to connect with NAEP Board members, speakers, and equine professionals from across the industry
Access to exceptional education, hands-on learning, and professional networking
Who Should Apply?
The NAEP Student Scholarship Program is designed for veterinary and farrier students who are committed to careers in equine care and interested in expanding their knowledge through education, collaboration, and hands-on learning.
Veterinary Students
Applicants should:
Be enrolled in their second or third year of veterinary school in North America
Demonstrate a focus or strong interest in equine practice
Have an interest in equine podiatry and collaborative approaches to horse care
Farrier Students
Applicants should:
Have graduated from a farrier education program of at least 12 weeks
Be actively working with an experienced farrier as an apprentice
Demonstrate a commitment to continued education and collaborative equine care
How to Apply
Ready to take the next step?
Applicants should submit a complete scholarship application to the NAEP office by July 1, 2026.
Your complete application should include:
A 300–400 word essay responding to one of the scholarship prompts below
At least one professional or academic reference from an advisor, professor, mentor, or other individual familiar with your education and professional goals
Any additional contact or student information required by the NAEP
Submit completed applications to the NAEP office by July 1, 2026.
Essay Prompts
The NAEP believes that strong professional relationships are built through communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to learn from one another. Essays may draw from positive experiences or challenges you have observed, as long as they reflect thoughtfully on how collaboration can be strengthened for the benefit of the horse. Choose one of the following prompts for your 300–400 word essay:
What does successful collaboration between veterinarians, farriers, and other equine professionals look like to you, and how can mutual respect improve outcomes for the horse?
How will teamwork and a strong professional community influence the way you approach your future career and your role within the equine care team?
What role do professional associations and continuing education play in the development of equine professionals, and how do you plan to remain engaged in lifelong learning throughout your career?
Share a personal, professional, or clinical experience that demonstrated the value of collaboration between equine professionals. What did you learn from the experience, and how will it influence your future practice?
Your Career Is Just Beginning.
Start Building Your Community Now.
The Saratoga Equine Practitioners Conference offers more than education - it is an opportunity to learn alongside experienced professionals, discover new perspectives, build relationships, and become part of a collaborative community dedicated to advancing equine care.
Apply for the 2026 NAEP Student Scholarship and take your place among the next generation of equine professionals working Together for the Horse.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: JULY 1, 2026