Welcome to the 2nd American Association of Equine Practitioners Foundation Equine Laminitis Research Workshop

Article Outline

• Copyright

Five years ago at the first American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) Foundation Equine Laminitis Research Panel and Meeting, as I sat with the original organizing committee and more than 40 researchers and graduate students from around the world in Louisville, none of us could have imagined the world changing events that were to occur. On May 20, 2006, at the Preakness, Barbaro's horrific injury stands out as a significant point in time and the 8-month emotional and courageous battle with laminitis that ensued. The injury and subsequent events provided the veterinary profession with an unmatched public relations opportunity to teach the world about the devastating disease known as laminitis. The plight of Barbaro served to instantly expand general awareness of laminitis and this, I believe, has helped us in our goal to increase funding and research for our equine patients. Much has changed in five short years with much more ahead of us, and this is the reason we gather for this workshop–to share information on prevention, cutting-edge research, and possible treatments of this dreaded disease, with the plan to focus on the challenges that lie before us.

The 2nd AAEP Foundation Equine Laminitis Research Workshop builds upon the foundation established by the first meeting in 2004, a smaller group of laminitis research scientists who convened at the Havemeyer International Workshop on Equine Laminitis in Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, in 2007, and the five International Laminitis Conferences in West Palm Beach, Florida. The continual momentum established moves us closer to unraveling the elusive mysteries of laminitis, and develop effective strategies that will eventually lead to beating this ravaging disease.

None of this would have been possible without the energizing assistance of many colleagues, the AAEP Foundation and Keith Kleine, our generous sponsors for their support and encouragement, and the superb organizational and planning skills of Belinda Norris and Kate Straus to name just a few of the many key players. Similarly, my sincere thanks to the organizing committee: Drs. James Belknap, Susan Eades, Ray Geor, James Moore, James Orsini, and Christopher Pollitt, who are the backbone for the development of this workshop and who have helped pave the way for many inspiring developments that await us on the horizon. And finally, each of you, the attendees, will make the workshop all it is meant to be, a collection of brainpower complemented with passion, commitment, and “horsepower” to move our mission closer to our vision–To Conquer Laminitis!

The personal and financial sacrifice to be a part of our growing movement by contributing to this important research gathering is recognized and acknowledged. Please feel free to openly share your ideas and comradeship–fundamental ingredients to our continued success.

With heartfelt appreciation,