This is a special year for the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP). There aren’t many things today that last 50 years, especially an organization that was started to ensure the health and welfare of the horse and to further the education of it’s primary caregivers–the veterinarian and the owner. But the AAEP has not only survived, but flourished, much to the benefit of our equine companions.

On its golden anniversary, the AAEP boasts more than 8,000 members and student members from 57 countries around the world. From humble beginnings at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Ky., in 1954, this organization has grown to be a powerful advocate for the horse.

The AAEP fills the role as the leader in continuing education for those veterinarians whose practices includes horses. They do this mainly through their huge annual convention, held this year Dec. 3-8 in Denver, Colo. AAEP also hosts a summer practice management program designed to help equine veterinarians work more efficiently and profitably, combined with a Focus meeting that has a different, in-depth topic each year. In addition, the AAEP has a mid-winter resort symposium designed to bring top-quality continuing education to veterinarians in a resort setting.

The AAEP also works with many individual breed and discipline organizations to help educate those horse owners. In that same vein, they sponsor an annual Horseman’s Day designed specifically for horse owners during the annual veterinary convention. What better way to get some of the top practitioners and researchers to talk to horse owners than to catch them while they are working on their own continuing education, or presenting new findings to their peers.

There also is a trade show during the Horseman’s Day filled with information from AAEP Educational Partners such as The Horse, Bayer, Pfizer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Purina Mills, Fort Dodge Animal Health, Intervet, Nutrina, Platinum Vet, and Equus.

This is in addition to the full trade show for veterinarians and attendees to the annual AAEP convention. The convention trade show is where veterinarians can gain information on the latest technologies and products available to them to treat and care for your horses. Included in the following list are many of the top exhibitors at the AAEP convention trade show, and a brief listing about their companies and products.

So, when your veterinarian comes home from the AAEP convention and you asked him what you learned, make sure you have the coffee pot full, because he or she will have a lot to tell!

Abacus

Abacus is launching a new flooring product called Padenpor. This product is a seamless, textured, bacteria-free flooring specifically designed for the equine market by equestrians. The Padenpor seamless system is described as being versatile enough to be extended to cover walls and columns without breaking the connection with the floor.

The base mat is made with cleaned and shredded recycled rubber. The rubber composition can be comprised of 6 mm to 38 mm thickness, depending on its purpose. The thicker the rubber base, the more resilient the floor, therefore the more shock absorption provided to the horse. The thinner the base, the more durable and less resilient the floor.

Thicker floorings are used for equine hospital recovery rooms and for spaces in which horses spend long periods of time. Thinner flooring systems are for aisleways where tractors and constant traffic are present, but the need for a sterile environment is still high.

As the result of a seamless polyurethane topcoat and special additives, Padenpor has a slip-resistant texture, and it is bacteria-free and mildew resistant.

Abacus can be reached at 800/821-4557, or visit www.abacussports.com and www.abacussurfaces.com for more information on their products.

Adeptus Nutrition

Adeptus Nutrition Inc. offers a complete line of quality nutritional supplements for horses, dogs, and humans. Their effective formulations provide a valuable tool to the veterinarian and the horse owner in preventive maintenance as well as recovery. The products are all formulated by a PhD animal nutritionist and are manufactured under strict quality control using pharmaceutical grade ingredients. All Adeptus products are formulated based on sound nutrition and science. Detailed labels ensure awareness of all ingredient levels and correct product use.

The full offering for horses includes Nimble (an exclusive formula for nutritional joint support), Gleam & Gain (a coat and calorie supplement), Augment Ultra (a complete multi-vitamin/mineral and hoof supplement), Invigor (a digestive and stress supplement), Persevere (an advanced electrolyte replacement supplement), Allay (a natural antacid and calming supplement), and Robust (a muscle and performance enhancer). The pet products (Nimble, Gleam, and Invigor) are available in tasty chewable tablets. Nimble and Augment Mega-multi for humans are also available from Adeptus.

For more information call 866/233-7887, or visit www.adeptusnutrition.com.

Animal Reproduction Systems

Animal Reproduction Systems is a leading manufacturer of equine artificial insemination equipment. The company’s products are developed in cooperation with leading universities, private laboratories, and successful horse owners to ensure accuracy and effectiveness in breeding programs. Rigorous quality control, through university testing, ensures products you can trust.

Contact Animal Reproduction Systems at 800/300-5143, or visit www.arssales.com