The Equine Foot: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Podiatry Understood

This program has been approved by AAVSB RACE for 8 credits.

This comprehensive, 4-part series offers an in-depth exploration of the diagnosis and treatment of equine foot and pastern issues. The course begins with a thorough review of the anatomy of the foot and pastern region, with a focus on soft tissues and synovial structures, as well as blocking techniques and strategies. Participants will then delve into the use of ultrasound as a valuable tool for evaluating lameness in the foot and pastern, learning how to assess key joints and bursae. Advanced imaging modalities, such as MRI, are also covered, highlighting their importance in diagnosing complex issues and the limitations they may present. Additionally, there is a comprehensive review of orthobiologics and polyacrylamide hydrogels, including case selection discussions.

The course continues with a detailed examination of radiographic information and its application in therapeutic trimming and shoeing, emphasizing the importance of consistent imaging for effective treatment planning. Participants will gain insights into the biomechanical principles and forces affecting the distal limb, essential for managing and preventing lameness. The course concludes with a series of specific case reviews, from diagnosis through podiatry, providing practical examples of the application of diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. These case studies, presented by our expert panel, offer valuable insights into the interconnectedness of internal structures and external hoof characteristics, ensuring veterinarians are well-equipped to handle a wide range of clinical scenarios.

Part I Fundamentals of Diagnosis and Treatment Options (2.5 Hours)

Part II Podiatry: Biomechanics and Understanding the Radiographic Requirements to Support Good Shoeing (2 Hours)

Part III Foot Cases: Specific Foot/Pastern Cases Reviewed (1.5 Hours)

Part IV Foot Cases: A Complete Review From Diagnosis Through Shoeing (2 Hours)

Supplemental Unit: Practical Ultrasound of the Equine Foot and Pastern – A Comprehensive Review (1.5 Hours)

This program is a complete guide to diagnostic ultrasound of the pastern and foot region. This lecture will set up the attendee for successful evaluation of all soft tissue structures that can be imaged, with various probes and preparation techniques, including through the frog of the hoof.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the location and ultrasonographic characteristics of the anatomical structures of the foot and pastern

• Understand how to best prepare patients for foot and pastern ultrasonographic examinations

• Understand common artifacts that may occur and how to avoid them

This program has been approved by AAVSB RACE (program # 1239954) for 1.5 credits.

This program explores equine lower hock pathology and hindlimb proximal suspensory desmitis as commonly diagnosed causes of lameness, which at times can be difficult to differentiate between. Speakers will review identifying, understanding, and managing these pathologies.

Learning Objectives:

  • Review anatomical features of the lower hock and hindlimb proximal suspensory region.
  • Identify appropriate diagnostic approaches for this region.
  • Refresh your ultrasound imaging technique for this region.
  • Understand treatment and physical rehabilitation options for managing lower hock and hindlimb proximal suspensory conditions.
  • Understand considerations that may exist when imaging, diagnosing, and determining a course of treatment by following real case examples from presenters.

100% of those attending the live webinar would recommend it to a colleague with an overall rating of 4.6/5.0!

PAAG Hydrogels for Intra-articular Therapy: How They Work and How They Fit In

This program has been approved by AAVSB RACE (program # 932085) for 1 credit.

Dr. Lauren Schnabel, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR provides a review of polyacrylamide hydrogels available on the market and how these products differ, when and how to integrate polyacrylamide hydrogel into overall treatment strategies, and the importance of rest and aftercare when using these products.

This unique webinar is the first in a series of joint specific lectures. Pathology of the medial femorotibial joint is one of the more frequently encountered causes of hindlimb lameness for any equine athlete. This course is designed to empower the sports medicine veterinarian with practical information and state-of-the-art capabilities to localize, diagnose, treat and understand long term management when dealing with pathology of the medial femorotibial joint.

Program Outline
  • How to localize lameness to the medial femorotibial joint on the clinical exam.
  • Stifle imaging with an in-depth education on joint ultrasound.
  • A review of common diagnoses in the adult athlete with an emphasis on understanding intra-articular therapy options versus surgical referral.
  • Rehabilitation techniques and long-term management strategies for athletes with chronic conditions.    

At Noltrex®Vet, educating horse owners on the benefits of different joint treatment options is a top priority. Our new 1-hour webinar is a complete review of intra-articular injections and provides an excellent foundation to understanding and managing injectable joint therapies. 

The Standardbred webinar is really for all Sports Medicine Veterinarians as it builds on the first two successful webinars (Western Performance Horse, English Sport Horse), expanding on three aspects:

  • A more in depth review of regenerative therapies with our new guest presenter, Lauren Schnabel, DVM, PhD, DACVS, DACVSMR
  • Presentation of new polyacrylamide research, further reinforcing both the safety and the method of action of Noltrex®Vet.
  • The private practice presenters tackle some of the hardest aspects of joint management, being under the pressures of limited time and continued intense training, while managing complex joint disease.

Learn from leaders in the standardbred industry, who are using polyacrylamide under this intense pressure, with a caseload of horses continuing to train and race.

No matter your focus, all equine practitioners can learn how to integrate Noltrex®Vet in their sports medicine caseload, successfully managing not only cases, but owners and trainer expectations.

With this series, veterinarians will be able to:

  • Understand the importance of evidence-based medicine
  • Critically assess current literature surrounding equine joint therapies
  • Make data driven choices when choosing equine joint therapies
  • Understand treatment decision choices for common joint pathologies affecting the equine athlete featured for each session
  • Receive 4 CE credits for attending this session

Gustavo Zanotto, DVM, MSc, PhD of Texas A&M University begins our session by presenting a review of commonly used joint therapies and their respective evidence levels. We then share clinical case presentations by veterinary leaders focused on lameness in the English sport horse and discuss how available literature can aid data-driven therapy choices – and where it falls short.  Our industry experts will discuss everything from biologics, to hyaluronic acid, corticosteroids and beyond.  This program has been approved by AAVSB RACE for 4 credits. 

From biologics, to hyaluronic acid, corticosteroids and beyond our Equine Joint Therapy Master Series – English Sport Horse includes: 

  • a critical literature by Gustavo Zanotto, DVM, MSc, PhD of Texas A&M University reviewing commonly used joint therapies and their respective evidence levels  
  • relevant clinical case presentations by veterinary leaders focused on lameness in the English sport horse 
  • panel discussion addressing how available literature can aid data-driven therapy choices – and where it falls short 

With this series, veterinarians will be able to:

  • Understand the importance of evidence-based medicine
  • Critically assess current literature surrounding equine joint therapies
  • Make data driven choices when choosing equine joint therapies
  • Understand treatment decision choices for common joint pathologies affecting the equine athlete featured for each session
  • Receive 4 CE credits for attending this session

This session begins with a critical literature review by Gustavo Zanotto, DVM, MSc, PhD of Texas A&M University of commonly used joint therapies and their respective evidence levels. We then share clinical case presentations by veterinary leaders focused on lameness in the Western performance horse and discuss how available literature can aid data-driven therapy choices – and where it falls short.  

From biologics, to hyaluronic acid, corticosteroids and beyond our Equine Joint Therapy Master Series – Western Performance Horse includes: 

  • a critical literature by Gustavo Zanotto, DVM, MSc, PhD of Texas A&M University reviewing commonly used joint therapies and their respective evidence levels 
  • relevant clinical case presentations by veterinary leaders focused on lameness in the Western performance horse 
  • panel discussion addressing how available literature can aid data-driven therapy choices – and where it falls short

With this series, veterinarians will be able to:

    • Understand the importance of evidence-based medicine
    • Critically assess current literature surrounding equine joint therapies
    • Make data driven choices when choosing equine joint therapies
    • Understand treatment decision choices for common joint pathologies affecting the equine athlete featured for each session
    • Receive 4 CE credits for attending this session