In a significant gathering of veterinary experts, 28 distinguished veterinarians convened on Monday and Tuesday at the World Equestrian Center in Ocala to discuss critical issues impacting the equestrian sport. Focused on the health and wellbeing of performance horses, the summit aimed to establish best practices for their care. Organized by US Equestrian, the event encouraged collaboration among veterinary professionals dedicated to equine care, with contributions from experts across various sectors, including horseracing.
Summit Highlights
Throughout the summit, attending veterinarians engaged in comprehensive discussions on key aspects of equine health, including:
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Examinations and preventative health measures
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Injury prevention and management
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Fitness to compete
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Wearable technology and biometrics
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Science-based treatments vs. anecdotal evidence-based treatments, including joint injections, vitamins, minerals, nutrition, homeopathy, and shockwave therapy
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Treatment modalities
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Research priorities
Outcomes and Future Steps
The summit’s collaborative efforts will culminate in the development of a set of best practices aimed at enhancing care standards for performance horses. These guidelines will provide a comprehensive blueprint for equestrian practitioners nationwide, reinforcing the importance of horse welfare in the sport.
Dr. Tracy Turner, President of the American Association of Equine Practitioners, noted, “This summit has been instrumental in bringing together the expertise necessary to elevate horse care standards. The exchange of knowledge and experience here is invaluable. We are deeply committed to the wellbeing of these horses used in sport, and every horse, regardless of discipline, deserves the level of care we’ve outlined here. The horse’s welfare should always be the deciding factor in our decisions.”
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Dr. Kent Allen, Chairman of the USEF Veterinary Committee and FEI Veterinary Delegate, emphasized, “Bringing together veterinary experts from diverse backgrounds and disciplines has expanded our perspective on how to best care for horses. It’s not enough to simply create rules to protect show horses; we must explore every science-based method we can find or develop to support their health. We hope that by reviewing and establishing best practices, we can positively impact horses and veterinarians across the nation.”
Supporting Research
For those interested in supporting ongoing research efforts, donations are encouraged for the Chromatic Fund, a collaborative initiative by the American Association of Equine Practitioners, US Equestrian (USEF), KC Branscomb (breeder of the horse Chromatic), and The Foundation for The Horse. The fund supports innovative research and educational initiatives aimed at improving the health and welfare of performance horses.
