Along with numerous scientific papers that were presented during the 2005 American Association of Equine Practitioners meeting, three informal table topic sessions zeroed in on everyday ideas aimed at providing practical answers to footcare concerns.

Nearly 5,900 veterinarians, guest and exhibitors gathered in Seattle, Wash., in early December for the 51st annual convention of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.

Four dozen informal and highly informative table topic sessions allowed attendees to interact with equine vets and other attendees to discuss common problems and solutions. The half dozen equine veterinarians who participated in three footcare table topic discussions included:

• Russell Moore, an equine surgeon and laminitis researcher at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, La.
• Scott Morrison, the head of the equine podiatry unit at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky.
• Bill Moyer, an equine veterinarian at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
• Andy Parks, an equine surgeon and foot care researcher at the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga.
• Steve O’Grady, an equine vet with Northern Virginia Equine in Marshall, Va.
• Tracy Turner, an equine veterinarian at Anoka Equine Vet Services in Elk River, Minn.

Stephen O’Grady

Laminitis Concerns

1. The three biggest concerns in equine research receiving the most attention today are laminitis, strangles and West Nile disease. —Bill Moyer
2. Laminitis causes are complex, multi-disease concerns based on an least five different approaches to the problem. Much of the research work suggests an alienation in blood flow, which makes treatment even more controversial. —Russell Moore
3. …