This issue of JEVS is dedicated to the information presented at the “Equine Laminitis Research Workshop” supported by the AAEP Foundation and in partnership with the “Fifth International Equine Conference on Laminitis and Diseases of the Foot” held in West Palm Beach, Florida, on November 8–10, 2009. The first Equine Research Panel was 5 years ago in Louisville, KY, followed by the 2007 Havemeyer International Workshop on Equine Laminitis in Litchfield Beach, South Carolina.
Dr. Rustin Moore, Chair, organized and lead this concentrated two day meeting composed of research abstracts on key topics pertaining to the areas of “inflammation,” “vascular/endothelial dysfunction/insulin resistance, ” and “biomechanical/chronic pain management.” An overview of the “Pathophysiology and Treatment of Pain” presented by Dr. Tony Yaksh of the University of California San Diego started the workshop. Tony's lecture follows in the journal and is entitled: “The pain state arising from the laminitic horse: Insights into future analgesic therapies.” I believe you will find this paper especially interesting and timely recognizing that pain is the fundamental criterion for shaping whether to treat and care for a chronic laminitis case. Dr. Susan Eades gave the other defining lecture during the workshop entitled: “Overview of What We Know About the Pathyophysiology of Laminitis.”
Dr. Rustin Moore in his “Vision 20/20 – Conquer Laminitis by 2020” is a provocative piece; it is a clarified vision for the equine community and encourages “us”—research scientists and clinicians, to collaborate and cooperate to better understand, embrace, and achieve our vision to solve the laminitis puzzle. This research workshop just happened to fall on the 20th anniversary of Secretariat's death resulting from laminitis; therefore, Rusty's challenge is especially timely and significant in setting a target Conquer Laminitis.
I heartily recommend that you read through the Proceedings of the 2nd Equine Laminitis Research Workshop and find the presentations that appeal to you, and then become a part of the team working on your facet of interest and proficiency. The rewards will be great and in the future you should be able to victoriously declare that you were a part of the global effort successfully conquering laminitis.
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