Information from Dr. Dennis Geiser
The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) hosted the third annual Equine Podiatry Conference for Veterinarians and Farriers on May 21, 2016 in the Veterinary Medical Center. Dr. Dennis Geiser, organizer of the conference, said: “The conference was very successful. The attendance was down a little, but exhibitors and sponsors were up. The two presenters from Virginia Tech were outstanding and really exemplified the teamwork that can occur between veterinarians and farriers. The pre-conference workshop was also very successful and was full as well.” There were 35 farriers and five veterinarians who attended the conference.
The UTCVM staff and veterinarians strongly believe that the partnership between farrier science and veterinary medicine significantly advances the wellbeing and health of horses. The purpose of the annual Podiatry Conference is to bring together farriers and veterinarians in a setting that facilitates learning, sharing ideas, innovation and creativity, the discussion of problems, and the creation of solutions.
For those who could come early, UTCVM hosted a Pre-Conference Workshop to review the basic anatomy and physiology of the equine foot. The Pre-Conference Workshop included a one hour lecture on form and functional anatomy of the equine foot and three hours of hands-on dissection of the distal equine limb. There were four instructors for the 18 participants, so each participant received a lot of individual attention. It is important for both farriers and veterinarians to understand the forces that apply to the equine foot, how the foot functions, and how the foot may be affected by disease.
The main, all-day conference started with lecture sessions in the morning followed by afternoon demonstrations. There were 16 sponsor exhibits that were open to attendees all day.
Dr. Scott Pleasant, DVM, MS, DACVX and Mr. Travis Burns, CJF, TE, EE AWCF were the Keynote speakers for the conference.
Dr. Scott Pleasant is a Professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) at Virginia Tech. Dr. Pleasant has been a faculty member at the VMRCVM since 1991. He is board certified in surgery by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and currently serves as Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s (VTH) Equine Podiatry Service, as a member of the VTH’s Equine Field Service Section, and as the College’s Equine Extension liaison.
In 2005, Dr. Pleasant received the National Teaching Excellence Award – Clinical Sciences, from the American Veterinary Medical Association. He has authored or co - authored over 75 manuscripts, abstracts, and book chapters. He has given more than 250 presentations to professional and lay groups in Virginia as well as other states and internationally. His clinical and research interests include equine podiatry, lameness, and nutrition.
Travis Burns is a Lecturer and the Chief of Farrier Services at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. He attended farrier school at the North Carolina School of Horseshoeing and received a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from North Carolina State University. Burns worked at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine before entering into a one-year internship program at Forging Ahead, an elite multi-farrier practice in Northern Virginia. Upon completion of the internship program, he was retained at Forging Ahead as an associate farrier until joining the college in 2010. Burns is a Certified Journeyman Farrier (CJF) with a Therapeutic Endorsement (TE) and an Educator Endorsement (EE) from the American Farrier’s Association and an associate in the Worshipful Company of Farriers (by examination) from the United Kingdom.
Dr. Dan Burke, Director of Tribute Equine Nutrition at Kalmback Feeds, Inc. was another speaker at the conference. Dr. Burke received his B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Illinois and his M.S. in Equine Reproductive Physiology from Texas A&M University. He returned to the University of Illinois where he earned his Ph.D. in Equine Nutrition/Exercise Physiology. At Illinois State University, Dr. Burke was an Assistant Professor and taught for five years. He developed a nationally recognized Equine Management Program. Dr. Burke founded Equine Educational Services, an equine nutrition and management consulting company that he ran for nine years. He has also worked as a Scientist-Program Manager in the Animal Health Business Unit at Abbott Laboratories. At Tribute Equine Nutrition, Dr. Burke is responsible for new product development, sales-team training, dealer and customer seminars, and developing educational materials. He is the author of numerous scientific publications, and lectures extensively to professional and lay audiences alike. Dr. Burke has bred, raised, and trained horses for 25 years - he has a high level of expertise combined with over 25 years of practical experience. Dr. Burke recently acted as Editor for the Equine Nutrition Chapter for the publication and website “Clinical Veterinary Advisor: The Horse.”
The main topic of the conference was “management of heel pain in the horse.” Dr. Burke spoke on nutrition and body scoring, and how overweight conditions contribute to foot problems. Both keynote speakers took turns, alternating on the podium, and their messages complemented one another in every detail.
Dr. Scott Pleasant discussed the causes of heel problems, such as: abnormal loads and pressures; normal and abnormal conformation; over-use; overweight; hard surfaces.
The message then turned to the use of diagnostic modalities. Radiography is instrumental for determining angle and balance, as well as in diagnosing the cause of heel pain. These were well illustrated using dissections and radiographs. MRI and scintigraphy are also useful in determining the causes of heel pain, for example, in a case presentation of navicular disease.
Solutions involve farrier principles and techniques, addressed by Travis Burns. The main principles of farriery are to remove distortion, preserve the sole, match the hoof to pastern axis, maintain the appropriate base of support, and center the shoe around the center of rotation.
Then Burns and Pleasant teamed for application of the techniques to solving the problem. First is shoe selection: aluminum vs. steel shoes; dar vs. open shoes; flat vs. wedge shoes; onion heel shoes. Then what modifications should be made to the toe? When should pads be used? Frog and sole support, i.e., packing, is applicable to some situations, as are, occasionally asymmetrical shoes.
In the afternoon demonstration, a Quarter Horse with chronic heel pain was used to illustrate application of the principles that had been discussed in the morning’s lectures. Radiographs were taken to evaluate the presence of disease, the hoof to pastern axis, and the palmer foot angle. With the radiograph information and physical examination of the feet, the veterinarian-farrier team formulated a therapeutic plan. The foot was trimmed, a Sigafoos Series Cuff was glued on with a 3-degree pad, plus copper sulfate, and oakum hoof packing was applied. The feet were radiographed again to determine the effectiveness of the therapeutic plan.
Throughout the conference, the presenters were interactive with the audience, answering questions about what was being done or presented, and allowing input from attendees. This open format allowed critique of the various evaluations and procedures, and why one might be preferred over another.
Continuing education credits were available for participants.
For information about future seminars and events at UTCVM, visit vetmed.tennessee.edu/ce. Also visit UTCVM on facebook at: UTCVM-University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) hosted the third annual Equine Podiatry Conference for Veterinarians and Farriers on May 21, 2016 in the Veterinary Medical Center. Dr. Dennis Geiser, organizer of the conference, said: “The conference was very successful. The attendance was down a little, but exhibitors and sponsors were up. The two presenters from Virginia Tech were outstanding and really exemplified the teamwork that can occur between veterinarians and farriers. The pre-conference workshop was also very successful and was full as well.” There were 35 farriers and five veterinarians who attended the conference.
The UTCVM staff and veterinarians strongly believe that the partnership between farrier science and veterinary medicine significantly advances the wellbeing and health of horses. The purpose of the annual Podiatry Conference is to bring together farriers and veterinarians in a setting that facilitates learning, sharing ideas, innovation and creativity, the discussion of problems, and the creation of solutions.
For those who could come early, UTCVM hosted a Pre-Conference Workshop to review the basic anatomy and physiology of the equine foot. The Pre-Conference Workshop included a one hour lecture on form and functional anatomy of the equine foot and three hours of hands-on dissection of the distal equine limb. There were four instructors for the 18 participants, so each participant received a lot of individual attention. It is important for both farriers and veterinarians to understand the forces that apply to the equine foot, how the foot functions, and how the foot may be affected by disease.
The main, all-day conference started with lecture sessions in the morning followed by afternoon demonstrations. There were 16 sponsor exhibits that were open to attendees all day.
Dr. Scott Pleasant, DVM, MS, DACVX and Mr. Travis Burns, CJF, TE, EE AWCF were the Keynote speakers for the conference.
Dr. Scott Pleasant is a Professor in the Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine (VMRCVM) at Virginia Tech. Dr. Pleasant has been a faculty member at the VMRCVM since 1991. He is board certified in surgery by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and currently serves as Director of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital’s (VTH) Equine Podiatry Service, as a member of the VTH’s Equine Field Service Section, and as the College’s Equine Extension liaison.
In 2005, Dr. Pleasant received the National Teaching Excellence Award – Clinical Sciences, from the American Veterinary Medical Association. He has authored or co - authored over 75 manuscripts, abstracts, and book chapters. He has given more than 250 presentations to professional and lay groups in Virginia as well as other states and internationally. His clinical and research interests include equine podiatry, lameness, and nutrition.
Travis Burns is a Lecturer and the Chief of Farrier Services at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech. He attended farrier school at the North Carolina School of Horseshoeing and received a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science from North Carolina State University. Burns worked at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine before entering into a one-year internship program at Forging Ahead, an elite multi-farrier practice in Northern Virginia. Upon completion of the internship program, he was retained at Forging Ahead as an associate farrier until joining the college in 2010. Burns is a Certified Journeyman Farrier (CJF) with a Therapeutic Endorsement (TE) and an Educator Endorsement (EE) from the American Farrier’s Association and an associate in the Worshipful Company of Farriers (by examination) from the United Kingdom.
Dr. Dan Burke, Director of Tribute Equine Nutrition at Kalmback Feeds, Inc. was another speaker at the conference. Dr. Burke received his B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Illinois and his M.S. in Equine Reproductive Physiology from Texas A&M University. He returned to the University of Illinois where he earned his Ph.D. in Equine Nutrition/Exercise Physiology. At Illinois State University, Dr. Burke was an Assistant Professor and taught for five years. He developed a nationally recognized Equine Management Program. Dr. Burke founded Equine Educational Services, an equine nutrition and management consulting company that he ran for nine years. He has also worked as a Scientist-Program Manager in the Animal Health Business Unit at Abbott Laboratories. At Tribute Equine Nutrition, Dr. Burke is responsible for new product development, sales-team training, dealer and customer seminars, and developing educational materials. He is the author of numerous scientific publications, and lectures extensively to professional and lay audiences alike. Dr. Burke has bred, raised, and trained horses for 25 years - he has a high level of expertise combined with over 25 years of practical experience. Dr. Burke recently acted as Editor for the Equine Nutrition Chapter for the publication and website “Clinical Veterinary Advisor: The Horse.”
The main topic of the conference was “management of heel pain in the horse.” Dr. Burke spoke on nutrition and body scoring, and how overweight conditions contribute to foot problems. Both keynote speakers took turns, alternating on the podium, and their messages complemented one another in every detail.
Dr. Scott Pleasant discussed the causes of heel problems, such as: abnormal loads and pressures; normal and abnormal conformation; over-use; overweight; hard surfaces.
The message then turned to the use of diagnostic modalities. Radiography is instrumental for determining angle and balance, as well as in diagnosing the cause of heel pain. These were well illustrated using dissections and radiographs. MRI and scintigraphy are also useful in determining the causes of heel pain, for example, in a case presentation of navicular disease.
Solutions involve farrier principles and techniques, addressed by Travis Burns. The main principles of farriery are to remove distortion, preserve the sole, match the hoof to pastern axis, maintain the appropriate base of support, and center the shoe around the center of rotation.
Then Burns and Pleasant teamed for application of the techniques to solving the problem. First is shoe selection: aluminum vs. steel shoes; dar vs. open shoes; flat vs. wedge shoes; onion heel shoes. Then what modifications should be made to the toe? When should pads be used? Frog and sole support, i.e., packing, is applicable to some situations, as are, occasionally asymmetrical shoes.
In the afternoon demonstration, a Quarter Horse with chronic heel pain was used to illustrate application of the principles that had been discussed in the morning’s lectures. Radiographs were taken to evaluate the presence of disease, the hoof to pastern axis, and the palmer foot angle. With the radiograph information and physical examination of the feet, the veterinarian-farrier team formulated a therapeutic plan. The foot was trimmed, a Sigafoos Series Cuff was glued on with a 3-degree pad, plus copper sulfate, and oakum hoof packing was applied. The feet were radiographed again to determine the effectiveness of the therapeutic plan.
Throughout the conference, the presenters were interactive with the audience, answering questions about what was being done or presented, and allowing input from attendees. This open format allowed critique of the various evaluations and procedures, and why one might be preferred over another.
Continuing education credits were available for participants.
For information about future seminars and events at UTCVM, visit vetmed.tennessee.edu/ce. Also visit UTCVM on facebook at: UTCVM-University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine
