3D-printed horse skeleton enhances hands-on learning for DVM students

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

Media Contact: Kinsey Reed | Communications Specialist | 405-744-6740 | kinsey.reed@okstate.edu

Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary Medicine students were recently gifted a 3D-printed horse skeleton. Faculty contacted Shannon Austin, director of Edmon Low Creative Studios, to create the model.

“They specifically mentioned that animal skeletons are difficult to obtain and prohibitively expensive, and they inquired if I would be able to help them out by 3D printing a model,” Austin said.

The faculty wanted something for students to practice procedures and gain actual hands-on experience.

“I was excited to donate my time and resources to the OSU Vet Med faculty and students because, quite simply, I love expanding access to library resources in ways that often lead to new practical applications,” Austin said.

Printing this model involved trial and error, as the decision was made whether to print it as a single piece or in multiple parts to be assembled later.

“The completed large print took a combined three days to print because I had to work myself in amongst other patron’s print jobs, and it took about four hours to painstakingly remove the supports,” Austin said.  “I then reassembled the model using hot glue, and voila!”

Not only did this collaboration give students new learning tools, but it also exposed these students to something new—learning how 3D printing is operated.

“This model will allow vet students to be able to not just learn about equine morphology by simply looking at pictures in a textbook or on a screen, but instead they will now be able to physically manipulate and observe the intricacies of the animal’s skeletal structure in a literal hands-on way,” Austin said.

Story By: Abby Bianchi | abby.bianchi@okstate.edu