Wet Labs

Equine Rehabilitation Techniques

Wednesday, Dec. 10 at CSU Spur

CSU Spur (off-site—approximately 5 miles from the Colorado Convention Center; round-trip transportation is provided and required for all registrants)

Cost: $500
Attendance cap: 60

Registration is on a first-come basis at convention.aaep.org or (859) 233-0147. Convention labs tend to fill quickly so early registration is encouraged.

The labs series is expected to offer 4 RACE-accredited CE hours.

PC: CSU Spur

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Looking to elevate your approach to equine rehabilitation? Whether you're fielding questions about PEMF therapy from curious owners, supporting a trainer investing in an underwater treadmill, or building a formal rehab service into your practice—this lab delivers the hands-on experience to make it happen.

Join us Wednesday, Dec. 10 for a transformative, practice-ready wet lab experience led by six internationally recognized experts. This immersive session is designed to bridge science with application—giving you the tools and confidence to implement cutting-edge rehabilitation techniques for your patients.

Start your journey Tuesday, Dec. 9 with the How to Rehab at Home lecture session, where topics include:

  • How to Manage Pain During the Rehabilitation Period Using Non-Pharmacologic Interventions
  • How to Use Therapeutic Modalities at Home
  • How to: Therapeutic Exercises to Address Topline Dysfunction
  • How to Rehab the Ataxic Horse on the Farm
  • How to Recommend Swimming Sessions: Practical Aspects, Indications, and Contraindications
  • How to Objectively Track the Rehabilitation Progress at Home
  • How to Plan a Ridden Rehabilitation Program
  • How to Use Rehabilitation Strategies in Competition Contexts
Then, take your knowledge from lecture to lab. Noted equine sports medicine and rehabilitation practitioners Dr. Melissa King and Dr. Sandro Colla from Colorado State University are coordinating the labs, and they will be joined on the instructor panel by four additional international authorities. Under their guidance, you’ll rotate in groups of 20 through the following labs structured to help integrate these therapies in your practice, improve outcomes for injured equine patients and instill appropriate case selection criteria for each modality:
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  • Aquatic Therapies – Melissa King and Claire Moiroud
    Understand how to safely and effectively incorporate underwater treadmills and swimming into rehab programs. Discuss indications, contraindications, and protocol design based on individual case goals.
  • Pain Management Modalities – Sandro Colla and Tena Ursini
    Explore evidence-based, non-pharmacologic approaches to pain control, including laser, PEMF, and therapeutic ultrasound—backed by practical decision-making for in-field or at-home use.
  • Core Strengthening Exercises – Kara Brown and Katie Ellis
    Learn to identify and correct topline dysfunction, implement core activation routines, and plan ridden or groundwork rehabilitation protocols that restore functional strength.

PC: CSU Spur

How-To Go-Do Mini Labs

Following an enthusiastic debut in 2024, the How-to, Go-Do mini-labs return in 2025 in an expanded format! Practice specific techniques discussed during selected presentations from Monday’s Dermatology, Sports Medicine/Lameness/Rehabilitation, and Theriogenology sessions at free drop-in mini-labs using models over the lunch break on Monday and Tuesday.

Stop by the Stable Education area of the trade show anytime between noon-2:00 p.m. to refine techniques or build hands-on skills in the following areas:

Monday, Dec. 8, Noon-2:00 p.m.

  • How to Diagnose and Treat Common Dermatology Problems - Skin Cancer – Krista Estell
  • How to Shoe the Laminitic Foot with a Rocker Shoe – Ramon Batalla

Tuesday, Dec. 9, Noon-2:00 p.m.

  • The Influence of Epidural Morphine on Pain and Inflammatory Markers in Mares During and After Transvaginal Aspiration of Follicles – Ghislaine Dujovne
  • How to Use Gram Stain-Guided Point of Care Treatment for Endometritis in Mares – Josefina Ghersa