September 24 - 27, 2025
Lameness Program
Kurt Selberg DVM, DACVR, DACVR-EDI, ISELP
Exploring the mysteries of the tarsus and proximal metatarsus.
Digital flexor sheath effusion? What is the cause?
Pain in the neck. How do I find the cause with imaging?
Sue Dyson MA, VetMB, PhD
Busting the myth of naughty horses: Use of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram to recognise pain. There are myths in the equine world about grumpy, unwilling, lazy, naughty, spooky and tense horses. The importance of the recognition of how pain can influence ridden horse behaviour. Development and practical applications of the Ridden Horse Pain Ethogram. A ‘game changer’.
How musculoskeletal pain can influence performance in apparently non-lame competition horses. A review of studies investigating 5* three-day event horses to grass-roots level event horses & elite and sub-elite Grand Prix dressage horses. What this means for promoting the Social Licence to compete in horse sports.
Is it a ‘pain in the neck’? What clinical signs are suggestive of a primary problem in the caudal cervical or cranial thoracic region? An overview of the results of a recently published prospective case-control study in Warmblood horses which underwent a standardised extensive clinical evaluation. Incites into neck pain and stiffness, neck-related forelimb lameness and neck-related neurological dysfunction.
The challenges of radiological interpretation of the caudal cervical and cranial thoracic regions; what is ‘normal’? An overview of the results of a recently published prospective case-control study in Warmblood horses which all underwent standardised radiographic examination of the fifth cervical to second thoracic vertebrae. Debunking the myth of the ‘doom diagnosis’ of so-called equine complex vertebral malformation. Evidence-based assistance for image interpretation.
Kent Allen DVM, ISELP
Equine Back, Diagnosis and Treatment. Equine back pain is the source of a confusing list of differential diagnosis’s particularly in sport horses. We will focus on the diagnosis and treatment of the most common back-related issues that can impair performance.. Diagnostic imaging is critical. We will review the most common findings of the various imaging technologies involved and the demographics of affected disciplines of horses. We will discuss the wide range of treatment options available and which ones will last for months and years as opposed to short term approaches.
Surviving the PrePurchase Exam. We will discuss the complexities of the prepurchase examination (PPE) in horses. The PPE is not a simple pass/fail test but a comprehensive assessment aimed at informing the buyer about the horse’s current health status and potential future performance. We will review finding from a review of 700 prepurchase exams and what the key findings are.
Ortho Biologics, selected topics. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a first generation ortho biologic that has been used in a variety of joint and soft tissue injuries. We will discuss its use in the dorsal articular processes of the thoracolumbar of the equine back and compare it to corticosteroid use. We will review data from a large number of US guided periarticular injections to determine which is more effective and which is longer acting. New to the group of Ortho biologics is a therapy that isolates alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M) from a horse’s own blood. We will talk about what it has worked best on.
Podiatry Program
Ellen Staples DVM, CJF, TE
Laminitis and diagnostics: this will review the diagnosis of clinical and subclinical laminitis (acute and chronic) with a special interest in radiological parameters both with baseline foot radiographs and venograms. Additionally, a roadmap for endocrine testing will be discussed both for diagnosis and monitoring.
Mechanical and medical treatment for laminitis using a variety of shoeing modalities, as well as radiographic monitoring for acute cases. Discussion of medical management of endocrinopathic and inflammatory laminitis will be detailed here
Case monitoring of laminitis from a mechanical and medical perspective and rehabilitation into exercise or retirement. Secondary hoof wall complications of laminitis will also be discussed in this section
Joint presentation with Mike Poe on a selection of hoof issues addressed from a resident farrier and veterinary podiatrist perspective. This lecture will be in a picture format that highlights daily practical solutions that address common sources of lameness in the foot such as unilateral heel pain, mystery lameness that blocks to the foot without abnormal diagnostics, negative plantar angle (primary vs. secondary), low palmar angle, and reduced hoof wall growth.
Mike Poe CJF, AWCF
Trimming for Static Balance, Shoeing for Dynamic Balance in Front Feet. A case study on trimming to anatomical landmarks for maximizing static balance of the hoof capsule and utilizing slow motion video to evaluate movement to optimize even hoof-ground interaction during the impact phase of stride. Asymmetric shoeing is used to even out any deviations in stride. Ideally the wet lab would involve the practical application of this principle on a live horse. I'd likely need a minimum of three front hooves on live horses.
The Foundation: Traditional Alternatives to Modern Appliances. A discussion contrasting modern farrier options with their traditional counterparts. Aimed at showcasing the components of therapeutic shoeing plans and the multiple methods of employing them.
Joint presentation with Dr. Ellen Staples on a selection of hoof issues addressed from a resident farrier and veterinary podiatrist perspective. This lecture will be in a picture format that highlights daily practical solutions that address common sources of lameness in the foot such as unilateral heel pain, mystery lameness that blocks to the foot without abnormal diagnostics, negative plantar angle (primary vs. secondary), low palmar angle, and reduced hoof wall growth.
Simon Moore FWCF
Dorsal wall destruction, let's stop it! Respecting and understanding the anatomy and function of the hoof capsule, is fundamental in maintaining structural integrity of the hoof capsule. For the horse to be able to perform to its optimum, the horse must have a stable and well conformed platform (foot) in which it is able to propel itself forward and support its stride during locomotion. For many years farriers have been encouraged to “get the toes back’ by removing too much dorsal hoof wall, in order to improve foot balance and make the feet look more aesthetically pleasing to the eye. It is often misunderstood that removal of the dorsal hoof wall alone, will realign P3 to agreed proportions. This is not the case!
Understanding, maintaining and enhancing the dynamics of the hind limb? When it comes to hind foot balance, most published literature do not differentiate between the front and hind limbs. They tend to group them together, even though they are so different anatomically. This is because hind foot balance is very difficult to define a set trimming protocol, due to not considering how the reciprocal apparatus influences the foot during assessment. Understanding how the reciprocal apparatus works and its effect on the hind limb, is fundamental in establishing correct hind foot balance. It is only then that we are able to protect and enhance the hind limb and ultimately the hose, with correct shoe selection and placement.
Internal Medicine Program
Ben Sykes, BSc, BVMS, MSc, MBA, DipACVIM, PhD, FHEA
Evidence-based drug selection for EGGD. Drug selection for the treatment of EGGD is challenging, with limited evidence available, and non-response is common. This lecture will review the medications currently available in the USA and outline the speaker’s approach to drug selection, integrating the currently available evidence.
Diagnosis and management of sand enteropathy. This lecture reviews the currently available literature on the treatment of sand enteropathy in the horse and outlines the speaker’s approach to diagnosing and managing this common disease.
Cognitive behavioral therapy in the management of chronic EGUS (and other sources of chronic pain). The lecture outlines the speaker’s use of alternative strategies, such as music and massage, in managing secondary behaviour, especially learnt anticipatory behaviour, associated with EGUS and other pain-based diseases.
Teresa Burns DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Equine endocrinopathic laminitis, Part 1 – pathophysiology and diagnostic testing. This session will cover mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of equine endocrinopathic laminitis, including known risk factors, the effects of nutrition, and the influence of hormonal mediators on the disease process. Diagnostic testing for equine insulin dysregulation and PPID will also be discussed as relevant to clinical cases of laminitis.
Equine endocrinopathic laminitis, Part 2 – nutrition, pharmacotherapeutics, and podiatry. This session is a continuation of the previous one and will cover the use of nutrition, exercise, pharmaceuticals, and podiatry in the treatment of horses with endocrinopathic laminitis.
Point-of-care diagnostic testing in equine practice. This session will describe the use of various diagnostic tests available in a point-of-care/stall-side platform for clinical case management in equine practice. Practical tips and pitfalls/confounders to interpretation will be highlighted.
Diagnostic sampling of the respiratory tract. This session will describe the indications and techniques used for collecting diagnostic samples from all levels of the respiratory tract in equine patients with respiratory disease. Case examples will be used to explain rationale for sampling strategies.
Steve Grubbs DVM, PhD, DACVIM
Kelly Graber B.Sc., P.A.S
2025 Endocrine Updates & Clinical Research. This hour will discuss recent updates regarding pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) and insulin dysregulation (ID) including current diagnostics and factors that may affect the diagnostic outcome from various procedures. We will also discuss the advantages of using dynamic testing including the thyrotropin releasing hormone procedure for PPID and the oral sugar test for ID. Clinical research results will be utilized throughout to support the diagnostic methods discussed.
SGLT2 inhibitors: A new drug class used in horses. The SGLT2 inhibitors are a new drug class in horses. This hour will discuss the mode of action and current methods of using this drug class in horses. We will also discuss recommendations when to use and when and what to monitor while using this drug class in horses. Current case studies will be presented and discussed that will support what laboratory data we monitor and why we monitor certain laboratory data in treated horses.
Provided by:
Feeding the Horse with Endocrinopathy – Building the Toolbox. Managing endocrine disease can prove challenging for practitioners and clients alike. Management beyond pharmaceutical solutions can sometimes make or break a treatment protocol. Not only can optimal nutrition management support pharmacological treatment, it can actually improve the quality of life of clients and their horses. During this hour we will help you build a toolbox involving forage analysis and feed tag interpretation, as well as give the practitioner some other tools to help manage these endocrine challenged horses beyond the proven pharmaceutical options.
Feeding the Horse with Endocrinopathy – Putting the Tools to Work. This hour will focus on Putting the Tools discussed in the 3rd section to work. We will discuss the sometimes confusing terminology that goes along with managing the nutrition management portion of these horses treatment, including the Amino Acid connection and how these specific nutrients can benefit the endocrine challenged horse. We will also discuss how all of these nutrients impact the endocrine horse, as well as provide some specific management strategies to pair with the pharmacological options.
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Educational Sponsor Lectures
Lecture provided by:
Abby M. Sage, VMD, DACVIM
Tools for managing infectious disease outbreaks. This lecture will focus on biosecurity measures and how they are designed to prevent the spread of contagious respiratory illnesses. It will also focus on diagnostic tools such as white blood cell count, and fibrinogen being used to monitor a sick horse’s response to infection. Serum Amyloid A (SAA) offers superior accuracy in detecting illness before clinical sign appear, and can be used to monitor response to treatment and may aid in the timing of subsequent testing. Case studies from equine herpes-1 outbreaks illustrate how SAA levels rise before a PCR test turns positive, offering a valuable early warning system.
