The Equine Lameness Prevention Organization (ELPO) celebrated a milestone this fall with its 10th International Lameness Prevention Conference, held Oct. 2-4 at the Antlers Hotel in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Nearly 100 farriers, veterinarians and equine professionals attended the 3-day continuing education event, underscoring the ongoing demand for in-depth, hoof-centered education focused on soundness and long-term horse health.

With support from industry sponsors Equine Digit Support System, EasyCare Inc., Mustad Hoofcare Group, Well Shod, Oleo Acres and Magnus Magnetica, the conference delivered a program designed to bridge theory and application — an approach that continues to resonate with working farriers.

The speaker lineup reflected a broad range of experience and perspectives from both the United States and abroad. Presenters included Gene Ovnicek (Arizona), Stuart Muir (Kentucky), Paige Poss (Arizona), Blane Chapman (Texas), Kristin Becker (Germany), David Nicholls (England), Shawn Melton (Texas), Pete May (Texas), Jeremy Alltop, DVM (Arizona), Richard Armentrout (Ohio), Dan Schroeder (Tennessee), Jake Keller (Colorado), Josie Gramm (Arizona), Ross Keller (Colorado), Michael Hupp, DVM (Colorado), Jeff Cota (Wisconsin) and Kerry Haugh (Minnesota).

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Stuart Muir, a resident farrier at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., delivers a presentation at the 2025 International Lameness Prevention Conference. Image: Equine Lameness Prevention Organization

Educational sessions focused on topics directly relevant to farriers in daily practice, including case study evaluation, trimming and shoeing considerations, common conformational and movement faults and clinical decision-making. Several presentations emphasized how farriers can effectively document cases and contribute to professional literature, reinforcing ELPO’s mission of advancing the profession through shared knowledge.

A highlight for many attendees was the hands-on wet-lab dissections led by Paige Poss, which provided an opportunity to examine the equine foot's internal structures closely. These sessions reinforced anatomical concepts that directly inform trimming and shoeing strategies, offering practical insight that participants could take back to the anvil.

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Gene Ovnicek presents a case study during the 2025 International Lameness Prevention Conference. Image: Equine Lameness Prevention Organization

In addition to the educational programming, a silent auction featuring more than 40 donated items added a collaborative and community-driven element to the event.

After 10 years, ELPO’s International Lameness Prevention Conference continues to serve as a forum where farriers and veterinarians come together to study the hoof, challenge assumptions, and refine techniques — keeping lameness prevention at the center of progressive hoof care.