Equine Track

Hindlimb lameness can present a significant diagnostic challenge due to the wide variety of orthopedic and soft tissue structures that may contribute to pain and altered performance. This presentation provides a practical, case-based approach to the evaluation of equine hindlimb lameness, emphasizing systematic clinical examination, diagnostic anesthesia, and advanced imaging techniques. Common causes of hindlimb lameness affecting the tarsus, proximal suspensory ligament, stifle, pelvis, and sacroiliac region are reviewed, along with current treatment strategies ranging from medical management and rehabilitation to surgical and regenerative therapies. Attendees will gain practical insight into localizing hindlimb lameness, interpreting diagnostic findings, and avoiding common pitfalls associated with diagnostic anesthesia and imaging.

Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Develop a systematic diagnostic approach to horses presenting with hindlimb lameness, including history, physical examination, gait evaluation, diagnostic anesthesia, and imaging.
2. Differentiate common causes of hindlimb lameness, including distal tarsal osteoarthritis, proximal suspensory ligament desmitis, stifle injuries, pelvic fractures, and sacroiliac region pain, based on clinical signs and diagnostic findings.
3. Interpret the advantages and limitations of diagnostic anesthesia and imaging modalities used in hindlimb lameness evaluations and apply this information to guide treatment and rehabilitation planning.

This presentation will discuss the essential dos and don’ts of equine wound management. Using a practical, evidence-based approach, we will emphasize the importance of complete patient assessment, meticulous wound cleansing, thorough evaluation of underlying structures, and developing an appropriate treatment plan. Using clinical case examples, the session highlights practical strategies for managing routine and complex wounds while exploring advanced therapies that can improve healing and functional outcomes.

Objectives:

1. Recognize key principles of wound assessment and diagnosis in horses.
2. Implement appropriate wound cleansing, closure, immobilization, and antimicrobial strategies.
3. Discuss the role of advanced and regenerative therapies in equine wound healing

Laminitis is a severely debilitating and potentially life-threatening disorder of the equine digit characterized by failure of the dermal and epidermal lamellar interface. Although the pathogenesis of laminitis is multifactorial and incompletely understood, current evidence suggests that inflammation, endocrine and metabolic dysfunction, vascular abnormalities, extracellular matrix degradation, and mechanical forces interact to contribute to disease development and progression. Advances in our understanding of these mechanisms have improved prevention strategies; however, successful treatment remains challenging once clinical signs develop. This presentation emphasizes the importance of routine radiographic evaluation in laminitic horses, including proper radiographic technique and interpretation of key measurements such as palmar angle, horn-lamellar zone width, EP-CB distance, sole depth, and capsular rotation.  Clinical decisions regarding appropriate biomechanical therapy based on routine radiographic views will be discussed. In addition, the role of digital vascular dysfunction and the clinical application of digital venography for assessing hoof perfusion and guiding therapeutic decision-making will be reviewed. Together, radiography and venography provide complementary information that assists veterinarians and farriers in assessing disease severity, monitoring progression, and developing appropriate biomechanical and medical treatment strategies

Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Interpret routine radiographic findings in horses with laminitis, including assessment of palmar angle, horn-lamellar zone width, EP-CB distance, sole depth, and capsular rotation, and explain how these measurements guide clinical management and farriery decisions.
2. Discuss the principles, technique, and clinical application of digital venography and recognize how changes in vascular perfusion patterns can aid in prognosis, treatment selection, and monitoring of laminitic horses.

Advances in overground endoscopy have greatly enhanced our ability to diagnose dynamic upper respiratory tract disorders in performance horses. A variety of conditions, including palatal dysfunction, pharyngeal wall collapse, vocal cord collapse, axial deviation of the aryepiglottic folds, intermittent epiglottic entrapment, and arytenoid dysfunction, are now recognized as important causes of respiratory noise and poor performance that may only be apparent during exercise. While some abnormalities, such as laryngeal neuropathy, can be identified during resting examinations, dynamic evaluation often provides additional insight into functional airway compromise and concurrent disorders. Through case-based examples, this session will highlight the application of dynamic endoscopy in non-racing performance horses and provide attendees with a deeper understanding of upper airway function, dysfunction, and diagnostic decision-making.

Objectives

By the end of this session, participants will be able to:

1. Identify common dynamic upper respiratory tract disorders affecting non-racing performance horses.
2. Describe the advantages and limitations of resting and dynamic endoscopic evaluation of the equine upper airway.
3. Interpret dynamic endoscopic findings to improve diagnostic and treatment planning for horses with respiratory noise or poor performance.

This lecture will outline the indications and technique for both temporary and permanent tracheostomies. While generally a simple procedure, we will cover pitfalls, technical errors, and complications that can be encountered both during and after a tracheostomy has been performed.

Learning Objectives

• Understand indications and technique for both temporary and permanent tracheostomies
• Avoid common complications and technical errors when performing tracheostomies
• Recognize and manage complications that can arise during and following tracheostomies

This lecture will focus on emergency situations associated with breeding mares. With the more frequent application of advanced reproductive techniques in horses this will include complications that have occurred as a result of oocyte aspiration.

Learning objectives

• Recognize true emergencies that arise during and following reproductive procedure
• Be able to triage and implement treatment for breeding associated procedures
• Be well versed in discussion with owners about potential risks with breeding mare

This lecture will focus on soft tissue surgeries that may be commonly performed in field conditions including cryptorchids, enucleations, third eyelid removal, and hernias.

Learning objectives

• Familiarize with the stated surgical procedures, determine whether or not the practitioner feels comfortable with the procedures, and provide practical tips for surgical success

This lecture will focus on orthopedic surgeries that may be commonly performed in field conditions including splint bone fractures, sequestrums, and P3 curettage.

Learning objectives

• Familiarize with the stated surgical procedures, determine whether or not the practitioner feels comfortable with the procedures, and provide practical tips for surgical success.

Discussion of antimicrobial use in horses such that the practitioner can make rational choices based on clinical case presentations.

Learning Objectives

• To define equine sepsis and septic shock using contemporary concepts extrapolated from the human Surviving Sepsis Campaign
• To clinically differentiate sepsis from uncomplicated infection, systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and noninfectious critical illness in adult horses and foals.
• To describe the major pathophysiologic mechanisms of equine sepsis and their clinically relevant impact on sepsis diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis
• To recognize the clinical manifestations and common sources of sepsis in horses.
• To develop an initial treatment plan for the septic horse, including judicious use of antimicrobial therapy and indications, potential benefits, limitations, and adverse effects of adjunctive therapies (such as plasma products, vasopressors, inotropes, anti-inflammatory agents, anticoagulant strategies, blood purification techniques, and antioxidant therapy)

Present an overview of Potomac Horse Fever including transmission and risk factors, clinical disease, diagnostic testing, treatment and vaccination

Discussion of new technologies and treatments that can be implemented at the AULATH to improve patient outcomes.

Learning Objectives

1. Evaluate the current literature and success rates related to oocyte harvest and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
2. Explore current methods of planned oocyte harvest (transvaginal aspiration; TVA) vs unplanned oocyte harvest (postmortem) and logistics of each
3. Build confidence in client recommendations, incorporating current data and success rates with the individual needs of the client

Learning Objectives

• Understanding of image acquisition
• Case selection for Standing CT
• Diagnostic findings and impact on treatment

Learning Objectives

• Understanding of image acquisition
• Case selection for General Anesthesia CT
• Diagnostic findings and impact on treatment/prognosis

Eye examination and therapeutic techniques including dazzle reflex, ocular photography, how to think through a horse eye exam, nerve blocks, significance of corneal colors, significance of vitreal colors and opacities, fluorescein staining, Seidel’s test and interpretation, tear film breakup time and interpretation will be discussed. Clinical cases will be discussed.

Eye examination and therapeutic techniques including slitlamp, tonometry, OCT, and ultrasonography. Collagen cross linking, corneal cytology, diamond burring, intrastromal injections, and intravitreal injections will be covered. Clinical cases will be discussed.

The mechanisms for corneal ulcers becoming deeper will be discussed. Management of melting, deep and perforated ulcers includes sterilizing the ulcer surface, reducing tear film protease activity, minimizing corneal edema, reduction of uveitis, moderation of corneal fibrosis, and replacement of missing corneal collagen. Clinical cases will illustrate the management concepts.

Diagnosis and therapy of nonulcerative keratopathies of horses including stromal abscesses, linear keratopathy, the five forms of immune mediated keratitis, and corneal neoplasia will be discussed. Clinical cases will illustrate the management concepts.