Speaker Biography

Britta Leise

DVM, PhD, DACVS (LA)

Dr. Leise

Associate Dean for Staff and Faculty Advancement and Associate Professor of Equine Surgery at LSU

Dr. Britta Leise received her undergraduate degree in Animal Science from Virginia Tech before moving to Baton Rouge, where she completed a Master’s in Equine Reproductive Endocrinology at Louisiana State University. In 2002, she received her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine. Following graduation, Dr. Leise completed a large animal medicine and surgery internship at the University of Georgia, then returned to LSU for a residency in equine surgery. She became a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2008. In 2010, she completed a PhD in Comparative and Veterinary Medicine at The Ohio State University, focusing her dissertation on the role of inflammation and epithelial cell function in the development of equine laminitis. She is currently an Associate Professor of Equine Surgery and Lameness at Louisiana State University, where she divides her time between clinical practice and research. Her research interests include inflammatory processes in horses, particularly wound healing, laminitis, and osteoarthritis.

Lectures

  • Thursday, October 29, 2026 8:00 - 8:50 a.m. Terrace I

    A Practical Approach to Hind Limb Lameness: A Case-Based Review Equine

    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.
  • Thursday, October 29, 2026 9:00 - 9:50 a.m. Terrace I

    Equine Wound Care: Evidence-Based Dos and Don'ts Equine

    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
  • Thursday, October 29, 2026 10:00 - 10:50 a.m. Terrace I

    Seeing Laminitis Clearly: Practical Imaging with Radiographs and Venograms Equine

    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.
  • Thursday, October 29, 2026 11:00 - 11:50 a.m. Terrace I

    Dynamic Endoscopy: Not Just for Racehorses Equine

    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.