“Owners and trainers worldwide have the feeling that every veterinarian and every farrier have years of experience and vast knowledge about laminitis and podiatry (foot care). Unfortunately, this is not the case,” said Ric Redden, DVM, founder of the International Equine Podiatry Center in Versailles, Ky., and host of the Bluegrass Laminitis Symposium, held Jan. 25-28 in Louisville, Ky.

“Success today with laminitis is the result of the dedicated efforts of veterinarians and farriers who take it upon themselves to learn how to evaluate and treat the various stages of this complex disease,” he said. “My teaching on podiatry and laminitis is not a reflection of what veterinarians and farriers should know or should have learned, but my means of sharing my life’s work in hopes of putting a little light at the end of the tunnel for those who share in my enthusiasm and desire to conquer this clinical disease.”

Redden and his family host the Symposium almost yearly in pursuit of that goal–conquering laminitis. Selected additional podiatry topics are provided as well. Following are excerpts of the presentations given during this year’s Symposium, along with links to more information on each one at www.TheHorse.com.

Laminitis: Coming Out of the Dark

Italian equine podiatry veterinarian Lorenzo D’Arpe, DVM, of the University of Padua’s Department of Clinical Sciences, presented some of his cases and research during the Symposium. Additionally, The Horse caught up with him to discuss his theories on laminitis.

D’Arpe characterizes the current state of laminitis knowledge by comparing it to the early stages of fracture evaluation and treatment. The veterinary community has come a long way in developing methods for successful repairs of many types of fractures in horses. “If we think about fr