No one at the Sixth International Equine Conference On Laminitis And Diseases Of The Foot seemed to be talking about a silver bullet.

The event held in West Palm Beach, Fla., in late October brought together veterinarians, farriers, researchers and others — all who have enlisted in the battle against laminitis. One of the most impressive aspects of the biannual conference is the spirit of cooperation that has become evident as the event has grown over the years.

Multiple Approaches

While presenters are eager to present their own findings, or to discuss treatment methods that have proven effective for them, they are just as eager to discover what others have to share. I was struck by how many times one presenter or another mentioned how something they heard at an earlier conference had started them down a particular path that had proven fruitful.

Presenters in the scientific program covered a wide range of topics, from underlying causes, through symptoms of the disease, through research methods to the effectiveness of various medical and mechanical treatments.

No one seemed to think they had discovered the one true path to a cure. Instead, they emphasized the need for collaboration among researchers. Conference Director James Orsini, DVM, noted that the conference has become “the single forum that most effectively unites valuable research with information for the practical clinician.”

Let The Horse Decide

On that practical side, the veterinarians and farriers who treat laminitic horses as part of their daily work also emphasized the…