Equine Surgeon

We are looking for a qualified Equine Surgeon to join our equine team as part of a planned succession for our current surgeon, who is nearing retirement.

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.

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

• 7 stables with adjacent paddocking


• 3-day boxes


• 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 50–65 standing and table surgeries per year.

The role includes a mix of:

• Equine surgical procedures


• Pre-purchase examinations-purchase examinations


• Lameness work-ups


• Specialised procedures and examinations


• Ambulatory equine work

You will be joining:

• Five equine veterinarians


• Four experienced equine veterinary technicians


• Locum veterinarians during the summer period
  
  

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

Southland Community & Lifestyle

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.
  
  

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: [email protected] for a detailed position description and a further discussion.