Media release

Around 200 horse vets are gathering in the Hunter Valley this week for Australia’s largest horse health conference.

The conference is hosted by Equine Veterinarians Australia, a special interest group of the Australian Veterinary Association.

Australian horse veterinarians will be joined by delegates from the United States, South Africa, New Zealand, Dubai, China and Pakistan for the week long conference.

During the week, internationally recognised experts will present on areas including reproduction, surgery, critical care and lameness. Topics being covered include:

• Lameness and stress fractures in racehorses
• Common reproductive problems in horses
• Diseases of the breeding stallion
• Horse respiratory diseases, diagnosis and treatment

As part of the proceedings, internationally recognised veterinary epidemiologist Dr Nigel Perkins will receive a special prize for services to the industry at the gala dinner on Thursday night (15 July).

Nigel is program manager for the Horse Research and Development Program for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation.

Dr Cameron Collins, President of Equine Veterinarians Australia, said: “We are very much looking forward to the conference, which has become recognised worldwide as the flagship equine veterinary conference in Australia.

“It provides horse veterinarians with a unique opportunity to share expertise on the latest information and developments in equine science and veterinary practice.”

A special endoscopy demonstration will be held at the Newcastle Harness Racing Club and Newcastle Equine Centre, on Saturday (17 July).

The presentation will feature the new Dynamic Respiratory Scope, which enables dynamic respiratory examination in horses without the use of a treadmill under natural training conditions.

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