Practical, collaborative continuing education for equine professionals
Practical, continuing education designed for equine veterinarians, equine technicians, and farriers—with hands‑on learning, nationally recognized speakers, and time to connect with colleagues.
At A Glance
- Pre‑Conference, hands‑on workshop focused on veterinarian–farrier collaboration
- 13 hours of equine‑specific CE during Fall Conference, with featured speaker Dr. Ben Sykes
- Local equine medicine roundtable (open to non‑conference attendees)
- Presented by University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Equine Faculty
Two Full Days of Equine Sessions at Fall Conference
Thursday–Friday, September 17–18
The Equine Track features 13 hours of conference CE across two full days, with sessions led by University of Illinois equine faculty and invited experts. Topics span internal medicine, surgery, sports medicine, diagnostics, and practice‑relevant updates.
Featured Speaker Spotlight: Dr. Ben Sykes
Friday, September 17 | 4 hours of sessions
Dr. Ben Sykes is a leading equine clinical researcher and has been ranked in the top 2% of veterinary scientists worldwide by Stanford University for the past three years.
- Can all behavioral problems be blamed on EGUS?
- An update on EGUS treatment options
- EGUS prevention beyond free‑choice hay and no carbs
- Managing refractory EGGD
Equine Session Schedule:
Day 1:
- 9 a.m. | What’s New in Equine Osteoarthritis? | Dr. Santiago Gutierrez
- 10 a.m. | How to effectively obtain and interpret venograms of the foot | Dr. Sarah Gray
- 11 a.m. | Managing a Septic Joint | Dr. Annette McCoy
- 1 p.m. | Emerging Gastrointestinal Diseases | Dr. Scott Austin
- 2 p.m. | Managing an EHV-1 outbreak Dr. Scott Austin & Dr. Annette McCoy
- 3 p.m. | Testing and management of the PPID patient | Dr. Scott Austin
- 4 p.m. | Research roundup: recently published advances in equine medicine and surgery | Dr. Annette McCoy
Day 2:
- 9 a.m. | Can all behavioral problems be blamed on EGUS? | Dr. Ben Sykes
- 10 a.m. | An update on EGUS treatment options | Dr. Ben Sykes
- 11 a.m. | EGUS prevention beyond free choice hay and no carbs | Dr. Ben Sykes
- 1 p.m. | Managing refractory EGGD | Dr. Ben Sykes
- 2 p.m. | Updates on Endometritis | Dr. Giorgia Podico
- 3 p.m. | Roundtable Discussion: What is the Future of Sustainable Equine Emergency Care? | Dr. Scott Austin
Local Equine Medicine Roundtable
Sustainable Equine Emergency Care: A Regional Discussion
Join colleagues and University of Illinois equine faculty for a facilitated roundtable discussion focused on the current and future state of equine emergency and referral care in our region.
- Designed for local equine veterinarians
- Open to non‑conference attendees
- Emphasis on shared challenges, capacity, and collaboration
If you are interested in this session, please contact Dr. Scott Austin at:
Pre‑Fall Conference Hands‑On Workshop
Veterinarian–Farrier Collaboration in Equine Hoof Care
Date: Wednesday, September 16
Time: 4:00–7:00 PM
Location: Veterinary Medicine Farm (VMF) | 3305 S Race St | Urbana, IL 61801
CE Credit: 3 hours
Cost: $75 per registrant
This interactive, case‑based workshop highlights the essential partnership between veterinarians and farriers in delivering comprehensive equine care. Participants will work through real‑world scenarios with guidance from University of Illinois equine clinicians and farrier faculty.
Capacity: Limited to first 20 registrants
Open to veterinarians and farriers
Hands‑On Learning Includes:
- Evaluating before‑and‑after radiographs to assess the effects of trimming and shoeing on anatomy
- Team‑based case consultations with equine veterinarians and the farrier service
- Trimming and shoeing modifications with demonstrations and guided practice
Faculty:
- Dr. Annette McCoy, Equine Surgery & Sports Medicine
- Tobias Ellis, Farrier Service
- University of Illinois equine surgery and sports medicine clinical team
The Equine Opportunities are part of the 2026 Fall Conference for Veterinarians, presented by the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.