Amy Johnson, DVM, Dipl. ACVIM, one of the only veterinarians in the country board-certified in both neurology and large animal internal medicine, will conduct a live demonstration of an equine neurologic exam as part of the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine New Bolton Center’s First Tuesday Lecture series.

The presentation, “Neurological Exam: Evaluate Your Horse Before Someone Gets Hurt,” will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 6, at 6:30 p.m. at the New Bolton Center (located at 382 West Street Road in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania). The lecture is free and open to the public.

Johnson, assistant professor of large animal neurology and large animal internal medicine at New Bolton Center, says it is essential to identify horses with neurologic disease before they hurt their riders, their handlers, or themselves.

Horses can develop neck problems or contract infectious diseases that affect spinal cord function and can lead to loss of coordination. Initial signs of neurologic disease in horses might be subtle, such as reluctance to perform certain movements under saddle or an occasional trip. Early detection of these signs will increase the chance of successful treatment and, more importantly, reduce the chance of injury