The seventh convention of the World Equine Veterinary Association (WEVA) was held in Sorrento, Italy, on Oct. 5-7, only a few weeks after the terrorist attacks in the United States. Attendance at the conference was down slightly because of the threats of more attacks on the United States and its allies, and even a few speakers decided not to travel to the conference.

WEVA teams with a national equine veterinary association to host the meeting every other year. This year the host organization was the Società Italiana Veterinari per Equini (SIVE, the Italian equine veterinary association).

Warwick Bayly, BVSc, MS, PhD, Dipl. ACVIM, Dean of the Veterinary School at Washington State University and outgoing president of WEVA, in his opening remarks outlined the purpose of WEVA meetings. The primary purpose is to unify the equine veterinary profession throughout the world by providing a forum for discussion of all aspects of the health, breeding, and welfare of the horse. Another major goal of WEVA is to help disseminate information and expertise from developed countries and their highly developed equine associations to those in less fortunate or developing countries.

“We are privileged to live, work, and spend our lives in areas of the world that are advanced,” said Bayly. “There are other people who love horses as much, but haven’t had the same privileges or opportunities as we have