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Monday, December 3, 2007

Horse Health Topics Headline 2007 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention
By Lynndee Kemmet for DressageDaily.com

Interested in attending the lectures presented at the 2007 Adequan/USDF Annual Convention? You will be able to view all content on DressageTrainingOnline.com very soon. Stay tuned to DressageDaily for details as they come.

Those attending this year’s Adequan/USDF Annual Convention have been treated to a healthy dose of information on horse care. With the American Association of Equine Practitioners holding its conference on the heels of the USDF event, the USDF opted to focus its educational sessions on the topic of horse health, making good use of many leading equine practitioners arriving at Disney World in Orlando for their annual convention.

It seems there is no part of the horse’s body that has not been the focus of at least one educational session at the Adequan/USDF convention. And educational sessions have run the gamut in terms of illness and injury, covering prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. Attendees at this year’s convention have been exposed to information on the latest technologies in treating horses as well as some of the oldest methods used in alternative therapies.

Competitors and show managers were offered useful advice when Dr. Robert Holland Jr. held a session on the management of contagious diseases with a look at biosecurity measures that ought to be taken at shows. And Dr. Kent Allen, who has served as the U.S. Equestrian Team veterinarian provided updates on USEF and FEI medication rules to help competitors avoid trouble.

Session participants John Hall, Dr. Frank Pellegrini, Dr. Mark Martinelli, Dr. Richard Markell, Dr. Tim Ober, Dr. Caroline Weinberg and France’s Dr. Philippe Benoit, provided information on the latest techniques and technologies for addressing lameness issues and treating those problems. Nutritional issues that directly impact performance was discussed by Lindsey White and Dr. Heather Heiderich shared information on the use of alternative therapies. And just in case anything was missed, Dr. Duncan Peters held a session he titled “Sport Horse Potpourri: What Your Performance Horse Wants You to Know.”