Keeping the sport horse on the road will be the theme for the final day at this year’s BEVA Congress 11-14 September 2019. The session on Saturday 14^th will bring together leading vets, farriers and physiotherapists for an holistic look at keeping the sports horse at the top of its game.

“Sports horses are central to the day-to-day work of both primary and referral practices. Advanced imaging has increased knowledge of causes of lameness and close teamwork with other equine healthcare professionals is essential,” said Congress Committee Chair Jonathon Dixon. “These sport horse sessions should inform and inspire delegates with knowledge shared by foremost experts from around the world.”

Haydn Price (UK World Class Team Farrier), Pat Reilly (Chief of Farrier Services, New Bolton Center, The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania) and Dr Sue Dyson will discuss aspects of disease of the podotronchlear apparatus and shoeing implications for sports and leisure horses.

Ellen Singer (Senior lecturer in equine orthopaedics at the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, University of Liverpool) will look at surgical vs conservative management of trauma to the sagittal groove of the proximal phalanx.

Russell Guire (Centaur Biomechanics) will present about the role of the biomechanics assessment of horse and rider.

Rachel Murray (Senior orthopaedic advisor at the Animal Health Trust) will look at Team GB’s approach to keeping the sports horse on the road.

Andre Buthe (Sports medicine vet  and team vet for the BEF and its World Class performance programme) will discuss the role of joint medication and its use in competition horses.

Haydn Price and Pat Reilly will discuss suspensory ligament and collateral ligament desmopathy in terms of shoeing the sports horse and the leisure horse respectively.

Patrick Pollock (Senior lecturer in equine surgery at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh) will present an update on interspinous ligament surgery.

Tom Hughes (Specialist in equine surgery and Clinical Director at Liphook veterinary hospital) will provide an update on ostectomy techniques.

Victoria Spalding (Equine Physiotherapist to the UK World Class Podium Potential Programme) and Dr Sue Dyson will discuss the diagnosis of sacroiliac disease, medical management of back and SI pain and whether physiotherapy can help.

The day will close with a panel discussion including Andy Bathe (Specialist in Equine Surgery and Partner at Rossdales Equine Hospital) and questions from the floor.

BEVA Congress, Europe’s largest equine veterinary conference is being held at the ICC Birmingham and will bring together more than 1200 equine vets and nurses, internationally lauded speakers and 100+ exhibitors for three days of knowledge-sharing, networking, workshops, demonstrations and practical sessions. It presents the opportunity to acquire more than 90 hours of premium quality CPD.

This year’s plenary lecture will be given by Dr Sue Stover a Distinguished Professor and Director of the JD Wheat Veterinary Orthopedic Research Laboratory at the University of California at Davis.  Other programme highlights include Valeria Busoni, Myra Barrett, Mads Kristoffersen, Martin Waselau and Dean Richardson contributing to a session on advancing diagnostics in stifle lameness and Andrew van Eps discussing the latest on the management of laminitis.

The Moral Maze will pose the question is telemedicine is a friend or foe? while a debate panel will delve further into the trials and tribulations involving Brexit and the wider global profession.

This year Congress has the added prestige of being selected to host the Federation of European Equine Veterinary Associations (FEEVA) General Assembly. FEEVA is an inter-European organisation working on all matters related to horse health and welfare throughout Europe and to discuss matters and threats concerning equine veterinary work globally.

The full scientific programme can be viewed on the Congress microsite www.bevacongress.org. If you are struggling for time or torn between several lectures you can use the BEVA Congress Encore Room to play back missed lectures at your convenience. BEVA Congress is also providing day crèche for children between the ages of 0-8 years. Find out more here.

Become a BEVA member to save up to £379 on your Congress pass. Early bird tickets are available at a discounted price until 5 August. Visit www.bevacongress.org today to find out more and to sign up.