NAVLE Equine Practice Questions
Horses are 14.7% of the NAVLE species blueprint · 39 of the 360 questions on our practice exam
360 questions across every species and competency area in 12 timed blocks, with a score for equine so you know where you stand.
Free equine drillAt a show barn, several horses had fevers a week ago. Now a mare has hind-limb ataxia, a weak tail, urine dribbling and urinary bladder distension. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Equine Clinical Practice on the NAVLE
Horses are 14.7% of ICVA’s species blueprint. Equine questions ask you to interpret colic findings, recognize infectious and neurologic disease, manage the newborn foal and apply AAEP vaccination and parasite guidance.
- Share of the exam
- Horses are 14.7% of the NAVLE species blueprint; 39 of the 360 questions on our practice exam
- Our drill
- 10 questions from 51 equine questions, untimed, an explanation after every answer; one free attempt, unlimited with a pass
What equine questions test
- Colic: rectal and nasogastric findings, impactions, displacements, strangulating lesions and when surgery is needed
- Infectious and neurologic disease: strangles, EHV-1, West Nile virus, EPM, rabies, tetanus and botulism
- Endocrine disease and laminitis: PPID, equine metabolic syndrome and acute laminitis care
- Lameness and orthopedics: navicular syndrome, hoof abscesses, tying-up and HYPP
- Neonatal foals and reproduction: passive transfer, isoerythrolysis, ruptured bladder, twins and retained membranes
- Toxicology and respiratory disease: ionophores, blister beetles, red maple, equine asthma and EIPH
Sit the full exam under the real clock
360 questions across every species and competency area in 12 timed blocks, with a score for equine so you know where you stand.
Free equine drillHow to study it
- Learn colic by its findings: heart rate, reflux, rectal palpation and peritoneal fluid.
- Know the AAEP core vaccines and surveillance-based deworming.
- Memorize the IgG thresholds for passive transfer in foals.
- Take the equine drill until you score 80% or better.
Common questions
How many equine questions are on the NAVLE?
ICVA weights equine content at 14.7% of the exam, about 53 of the 360 questions across all competency areas.
Do I need equine knowledge if I plan to work with small animals?
Yes. The NAVLE covers all species seen in general practice in North America, and equine questions are the third-largest species share. Every candidate takes the same exam.
360 questions across every species and competency area in 12 timed blocks, with a score for equine so you know where you stand.
Free equine drillThe other NAVLE areas
- Canine Clinical Practice
- Feline Clinical Practice
- Bovine Clinical Practice
- Swine, Sheep, Goats and Camelids
- Birds and Exotic Animals
- Preventive Medicine, Public Health and Animal Welfare
- Communication and Professionalism
- NAVLE practice exam (360 questions, 12 timed blocks)
- Mixed drill: all eight areas
- NAVLE practice test: exam facts and every area
Sources
- ICVA: NAVLE Candidate Handbook, 2026-2027 testing cycle (PDF)
- ICVA: NAVLE structure update begins with the October-November 2026 testing window
- ICVA: NAVLE 101, how the exam is created, administered and scored
- ICVA: NAVLE retake policy changes effective December 1, 2025
- ICVA: NAVLE Competency Domains outline (PDF)
- ICVA: NAVLE Species and Diagnoses outline (PDF)
- ICVA: 2026 Report to Veterinary Academia (PDF)
- ICVA: NAVLE Self-Assessments and practice tutorial
Original practice questions written to ICVA’s published NAVLE competency and species outlines; they are not NAVLE questions. Independent practice, not affiliated with or endorsed by the International Council for Veterinary Assessment (ICVA) or the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME). NAVLE is a registered mark of ICVA.