Here you will find archived news from 2005, reports and editorials from the board of directors. An archive of the Equestrians’ Institute e-Flash can be found here. Timeless stories about and by members can be found here.

Submit your story to . The link should launch your e-mail program, if this does not work please send and email to the following address (shown as a picture):

All content is subject to the E.I. Website Publication Policy.

Equestrians’ Institute Annual Meeting
by Shelly Navarre, Secretary

Annual Meeting Movers & Shakers (the folks who make things work) Back row from left to right: Jenny Nell, Jim McBride, Mary Decher, Heather Grassman, Shelly Navarre, Laura McGillicuddy, Lezlie Wolff, Jana Steffen, Carolynn Bunch, Carolyn Cole (a few people could not make the meeting).


BJ Heuving receives The Tripoli Cup, a champion Arabian horse perpetual trophy donated by the Semper Fi Horse Marines. Presented by E.I. member Eugene Dueber, also a member of the Century Club.
REPORTS:

Presidents Report: Jana Steffen started her presentation by going over the agenda and giving a brief overview of the board and various divisions accomplishments in 2005.

Secretary: The minutes from 2005 were read into the record. A motion was made to approve these minutes as written. Seconded by a member from the floor. The motion was approved by a voice vote of the membership in attendance.

Treasurer: Laura McGillicuddy reported on the overall expenses which were paid out by EI during 2005, by individual category and gave an overview of the account balances for the General Account and the different divisions.

Dressage: Carolyn Cole indicated in 2005 this division accomplished two Musical Freestyle clinics, the three recognized shows, four schooling shows, the Janet Brown/Steffen Peters symposium, and one scribing clinic. Carolyn also reported the Dressage Division made a $2,000 donation to Bridle Trails State Park specifically for arena footing upgrades. The L’Aperitif will be held again at Bridle Trails in 2006. A review of the dressage divisions’ budget items showed profits in shows/clinics which allowed some money to be donated to dressage show sponsorships.

Eventing: Mary Brumder (standing in for Sarah Lorenz) reported she was the Horse Trials event organizer in 2005. The EI Horse Trials in 2006 will be held at the end of September.

Combined Driving: Mary Decher (and Jim McBride) advised the combined driving group was in a ‘regroup’ phase for 2005 and this will be continuing in 2006. The group’s objectives in 2006 include upgrading this divisions’ presence on the EI website, a beginner’s driving clinic in July, and to develop an annual awards’ system for driving.

Education: Wendy Meyers gave details of her supporting activities in 2005 including the Equine Imaging/Diagnostic clinic. For 2006 Wendy plans on tentative hardcopy educational newsletters, a scribing clinic, ‘Ride-n-Review’ program in Carnation, ‘Rider Conditioning’ seminar in July, and finally a symposium with Conrad Schumacher in late 2006/2007.

Promotions: Jenny Nell-Schulte gave details of her activities in 2005 which included a presence at shows to answer questions and promote membership. A new Promotions Co-Director, Liana Antonovich, has been found to assist Jenny in 2006.

Webmaster: Heather Grassman gave a brief history of the EI Website development and plans for 2006. This was Heather’s last year in her position.

Volunteer: Heidi Gloudemans introduced herself as the new Volunteer Director position. Her plans in 2006 include creating a better overall volunteer experience and integrating the communication being used to coordinate/confirm volunteers necessary for the various events.

Membership Drawing: A ‘drawing’ was held to award a free membership to one member who renewed by November 30, 2005. The name drawn was Jan D’Addamio in Monroe. Congratulations!

ELECTIONS:

Open Positions:

Webmaster- Peter Larsen
Eventing- TBD
Volunteer- Heidi Gloudemans
Driving Director- Mary Decher

Co-Director Driving- Jim McBride
Co-Director Webmaster- Carolyn Linstead
Co-Director Promotions – Liana Antanovich
Co-Director Education – Lezlie Wolff

Jana requested any nominations for open positions from the floor. No nominations from the floor were made. Ballots were collected and counted; all nominees were elected as presented at the meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:

1.Survey results: Jana gave an overview of the survey results, as well as details of actual survey ideas to be implemented in 2006.

2.GMO Membership year- Peter presented a proposal to align E.I.’s membership year to coincide with USDF’s membership year. A motion was made by Jana (actually moved by member from the floor, Margaret Logan), seconded by Wendy Meyers, to change EI membership year to match USDF’s new membership year rules in late 2006/2007. After some discussion the motion was approved on a voice vote.

3.By-laws- Peter advised annual dues for 2005 was $52 (with acknowledgement of other dues paying categories). Peter proposed the dues remain $52 for 2006. The was seconded by Beth Glosten (member from the floor). There was no discussion regarding this motion. The motion was approved by a voice vote.

AWARDS:

Various board, volunteer and annual competitor awards were distributed.

Meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

The Annual Meeting agenda can be viewed here in PowerPoint presentation format (if you don’t have PowerPoint, please see the FrontDesk).

[back to contents]


President’s Report
By Jana Steffen
Show season will begin soon so please remember to renew your E.I. membership which automatically renews your subscription to Flying Changes.

E.I.’s annual meeting was held on Jan. 8, 2006. We had a good turnout but for those who were not able to attend I would like to provide a couple of updates. First, we have an update on the on-going activities from our strategic planning session; and second, we will show the results of the membership survey with our resulting actions.

Over the past year we had been working on the outcomes from our strategic planning session held in Feb. 05. Those outcomes were determined by considering 1) the value brought to the members, 2) alignment with the E.I. mission and 3) contribution to the organization’s operation.
The outcomes were:

Create a new role of Director of Volunteers (we changed the focus of the Adult Pony Club position, long unfilled, to focus on Volunteers).
Conduct a member survey
Developing business cases to:
Explore how to utilize more e-connection and the website (determine cost and feasibility)
Identify at what stage of growth (size of organization/number of members) would it be necessary and financially feasible to add a paid staff person for office management (similar to ODS/CDS),
Explore how to maximize and develop our IT infrastructure support (membership database, etc.).
The results of the outcomes are:

Created and filled the Director of Volunteer position. Heidi Gloudemans is our new Director and has begun a terrific job of gathering best practices, developing a volunteer database and exploring options to enhance the volunteer experience and encourage more volunteer activity.
Conducted the membership survey for current and previous members. The response rate for current members was 39% and 14% for previous members.
Implemented E-Flash to improve on-line communication with our members. We are exploring the cost and feasibility of additional on-line capabilities and features.
The cost of adding paid staff to show management for recognized shows can range from $200 per day to over $10,000 per show. At this point, we’ll continue to operate from a volunteer basis, but may consider adding paid staff to show management down the road if necessary.
We would like to enhance membership services by adding a part-time paid administrative position, but that would require at least 500 members to support the cost. In 2005 we had 388 members. At this point, it is not feasible to add part-time administrative position; the size of the membership revenue from dues does not support it. It may be possible in the future with additional growth of the organization.
We are currently conducting a requirements analysis to upgrade our membership database. Upgrading the database will enable us to maximize and further develop our IT infrastructure and on-line capabilities.
As we step into 2006 we will continue to drive these initiatives forward plus taking additional action as a result of survey feedback. The feedback and input we received from the membership survey is invaluable. Thank you to all who participated. The highlights of the survey are discussed below (focus on current members). For more detailed results, please visit the website.
Survey highlights:

77% of the survey respondents have been members of E.I. for 3 or more years.
76% chose dressage as their primary interest, 19% for eventing and 2% for driving.
Over 78% of the respondents are amateurs, 19% are professionals.
80% had volunteered at either a horseshow or clinic.
60% had a positive experience volunteering; only 2% stated they did not have a good experience.
25% of the respondents liked the idea of discounts on fees to encourage greater volunteer activity.
The top four things that E.I. does well are; show management, information in Flying Changes, clinics, and website.
The top four things that we could improve are; clinics, show management, information in Flying Changes and the website. Although we are doing things well, there is always opportunity to make things better!
Time (having enough) is the top challenge with our equestrian endeavors, the second is expense and the third was availability of clinics.
The written feedback provided good insight. For Eventers it was clear that they would get more value out of their membership if we offered more Eventing activities, such as derbies, clinics, or practice trials. They would also like to see an Eventing grant and more information related to Eventing on the website and in Flying Changes. This is an area with plenty of opportunity, our first objective is to build up the Eventing team. As we build up this team, it will become possible to offer more activities and address issues above.

Show management is an area were we received much positive feedback and input on how to make things better (improve customer service, provide discounts, and give money at shows vs. glass or plates). We are committed to improving our competitors experience and addressing issues and concerns. This will become easier as the feedback loop is improved. The competitor evaluation form has been posted on the website and is included in the competitor packets. We will encourage competitors to provide input through this form, e-mail and phone calls. We will also be exploring creative ways to help with costs while maintaining profitability for the shows and staying within USEF and USDF rules (i.e. they do not allow discounts on recognized show fees). At this time we currently offer money awards at the Champagne Classic and will consider options for the Beaujolais. We do need to be mindful that many folks like to receive the glass or plate to recognize their achievement.

Overall the volunteer experience has been positive. Our new Director of Volunteer position will work to further enhance that experience by collaborating on best practices with the volunteer coordinators, creating a volunteer database (help with resource management), and by exploring additional ways to recognize/reward volunteers and encourage more volunteer activity.

In regards to education and clinics, members have very much enjoyed the clinics and symposiums that we have offered and would like to see more of everything! What we can offer is time and resource (people & money dependent). We’d like to increase the communication for the existing level of clinic activity that occurs here in the Seattle area by encouraging our members to utilize the calendars on the E.I. website and in Flying Changes to promote their clinics. E.I. will also be offering another symposium in 2006 in addition to a general horse care clinic and another scribe clinic.

Finally there is more opportunity to provide greater communication to our membership with the website and through e-mail updates. We have implemented E-Flash as our new e-mail communication tool and our website team is working on further enhancements to the website. Our Promotions team will be focusing on business memberships and the Board will be working to increase the level of communication and collaboration with our Chapters (create greater visibility for the Chapters via website, Flying Changes, etc.).

2006 is going to be a busy year for E.I. I am looking forward to it!

[back to contents]

Results of the E.I. 2005 Survey
Results of the E.I. 2005 Survey have been posted here in PDF format (if you don’t have a PDF viewer, please see the FrontDesk).

[back to contents]

Dressage Director’s Report
by Carolyn Cole Adams

As I pen this final ’05 report, the shortest winter days are upon us. By the time my words reach your mailbox, the winter solstice will have passed, bringing increasing daylight, and a sense of renewal.

For 2006, here are a few E.I. events just around the corner: February 10th through 12th, Karen Robinson will be doing another freestyle clinic at Bear Creek Farm In Woodinville. See the website if you’d like to participate or audit. The season’s first schooling show will take place the following month. And, back by popular demand, we’ll once again be offering a scribing clinic.

So, look forward to getting those winter blankets cleaned and stashed away before too long and think sun!

Happy New Year!

[back to contents]


E.I. Driving Report
by Gwen Bassetti
ADS REGIONAL MEETING • SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Remember to attend the ADS Regional Meeting in February. Debbie Banfield, internationally recognized judge, clinician, trainer, organizer, and active ADS member, will be the featured speaker along with other NW ADS officials, event organizers, and veteran as well as novice carriage drivers. It should be a great way to spend a winter Saturday and to advance the quality of carriage driving in our region.

HERE ARE THE SPECIFICS: The location is the Rose Tree Restaurant, Castle Rock, WA (exit 49 off of I-5). There will be coffee throughout the day, a lunch buffet, and cake in the afternoon. The cost, with lunch, is $15. If you are not buying lunch, we will ask for a $5 donation to cover coffee, cake, and room rental. The nearest motel is Mt. St Helens Motel (360-274-7721) at the same exit.

ABOUT OUR GUEST “EXPERT”: Debbie Banfield has a varied and rich background in driving:
·Registered ADS Pleasure Driving Judge and Combined Driving Judge plus holding a licensed officials card with U.S. Equestrian
·Extensive background in training having worked with practically all breeds and ponies
·Teacher and clinician since 1980 using Achenback and Hungarian styles of driving
·Active member of the ADS, volunteering on a number of this organization’s committees Organizer of the Kentucky Gayla Combined Driving Event
·Award recipient of the ADS Presidential Trophy in 2001 in honor of her dedication to driving

AGENDA: (flexible with approximate times)

9:00 Report on the deliberations by the ADS Board at the January 14 meeting on proposed VSE rule changes for Combined Driving Events
10:00 Event organizers panel discussing the challenges of organizing Combined Driving and Pleasure Driving Events and ways participants can help to make the events successful1
12:00 Social and lunch
1:00 Coordination of the Northwest Driving Calendar and comments from promoters
1:30 “Ask the Expert”: Rules clarification for driving events including questions submitted by participants as well as most commonly asked questions at events
3:00 Driving for the disabled: a discussion of different programs that promote driving
4:00 Closing comments.
Please RSVP to help us with the restaurant plan: If you haven’t already done so please phone or e-mail as follows: : TELEPHONE: 253-588-7370: CELL: 253-219-5030; AND EMAIL: ANNDAVIS@IX.NETCOM.COM

There will be a “unique” silent auction to help defray the costs of bringing speakers. THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO CHECK YOUR HOUSE, BARN, TRAILER, AND TRUCK (or cupboard ) FOR POTENTIAL QUALITY ITEMS to donate.

Other news:
E.I. Driving and local ADS members will also be hosting a booth at the new and exciting MANE EVENT…. A elaborate Equestrian Extravaganza covering all disciplines to be held February 17-19th at the new facility at the Clark County Fairgrounds. Check it out at: http://www.maneeventexpo.com/wa

Watch for the 2006 calendar of events next month as we look forward to spring and the beginning of the NW Driving season.

[back to contents]


The USDF Annual Convention
by Wendy Meyers
The USDF Convention was held (for those of you old enough to remember "Laugh In") in ‘beautiful downtown Burbank, CA’. It's always humbling to see how many exceptional people donate their time to the USDF. Of course there was an impressive array of judges, trainers and riders in attendance, but there were also hundreds of dressage enthusiasts who have successful careers completely unrelated to horses. These people serve on committees, or as delegates to the Board of Governors, donating large blocks of their time to further the growth of dressage in this country.

All of the committee meetings that I attended were efficiently run. There was a real effort made to allow for input from the floor in most of them, with the Judges Committee and the USEF Liaison Forum being the notable exceptions. There were several rule changes that will affect dressage competitors. Among them was a proposal to raise the minimum qualifying score for All-Breeds awards to 60%, the same minimum required for horse of the year, Junior/Young Rider, Adult Amateur and Vintage Cup awards. Another motion will permit resident aliens to participate in Regional Championships, and another will designate Horse of the Year scores to be tallied for horse/rider pairs (prior to this year the scores were for the horse regardless of whether there were multiple riders or only one). The most contentious point of the Board of Governors was a discussion about the fate of the monies that have been collected to date for a national head-to-head dressage championship. This idea has been floated for many years (there was a national championship at one point) and money is contributed to the fund for the re-establishment of this competition from every entry at every recognized dressage show in the country. At this point the USEF National Dressage Championships sub-committee has been disbanded, and although the USDF maintains a National Championships working group, this competition would ultimately be the province of the USEF. The fund currently contains over $390,000. One faction was adamant about redistribution of this money, preferably to the existing regional championships. Another group wanted to see the National Dressage Championships sub-committee reformed and plans for the competition developed. After much discussion and no consensus, the motion was tabled.

Unfortunately, the National Championships discussion was indicative of the flavor of the entire Board of Governors meeting. This year the meeting was shortened from two working days to one. The committee reports were provided on paper for the delegates to read, but only on the day of the meeting. This meant that there was little opportunity for delegates to study the reports and ask relevant questions. Most of the business conducted by the delegates felt like rubber stamping, but much was accomplished in a relatively short time. If this format is retained for future conventions, it is worth noting that this makes attendance at the committee meetings even more important for delegates. These pre-Board of Governors meetings will become the best opportunity for the general membership to have some input into the direction USDF pursues.

The educational highlight of the week for me, other than the Symposium with Klaus Balkenhol, was an excellent lecture by Dr. Jack Snyder of the University of California, Davis, Veterinary College titled "No Foot, No Horse". Dr. Snyder discussed lameness of the foot in great depth including diagnostic and treatment options. This program related very well to the lecture that Dr. Robert Schneider of WSU gave in October at Emerald Downs. One can't help but appreciate the willingness of these experts to share their knowledge with the equestrian community.

In 2006, the USDF annual convention will be held in Kansas City. The delegates will need to wear warmer clothes for that one!

Freestyle Clinic in February

E.I. is proud to present a Musical Freestyle clinic with Karen Robinson at Bear Creek on February 10 through 12. The clinic will include a day of lectures and two days of riding. For more information see the Freestyle Flyer. For more information, please contact Kathleen Doyle by phone 425-957-7294 or E-mail oiseau@nwlink.com.

[back to contents]


President’s Report
Jana Steffan

Happy New Year! I am excited for E.I. in 2006. Our annual meeting was held on January 8th. We presented the results of the survey and presented proposed actions being taken as a result of your feedback. The survey results will be posted on the website after January 8th. The February issue will include a recap of the meeting.

I did want to remind folks that if you have not yet renewed your E.I. membership, then this (January Issue) will be the last issue you will receive of Flying Changes. Of course, once the renewal comes through then you will begin to receive the magazine again, but there could be a delay depending on when we receive the renewal.

This last fall we announced a drawing for a free individual membership for those who renewed by November 30th and 218 members signed up by the deadline! The winning name was drawn and announced at the annual meeting (details will be included in the Feb. recap). Thank you all who have renewed. The Board and I appreciate your support.

E.I., Whatcom, and Lower Puget Sound Chapters accomplished many things in 2005 and I would like to thank all the volunteers who so generously gave their time and made it all happen. There are many folks; to list them all would be a very long list. So, I would like say to each and every person who volunteered (including those in the Chapters)– whether it was for an hour, half day, full day, or multiple hours over the course of a week, month(s) or the year… THANK YOU ALL FOR:

Taking time out of your busy schedule to volunteer.
Stepping up and doing whatever it took to get the job done, knowing that it impacted time spent with family, friends, or your horse.
Standing/sitting in the cold rain, hot sun or in a chilly covered arena.
Answering questions and tending to competitors’, auditors’, clinic riders’ or members’ needs.
Keeping a positive attitude – even at the end of a long day or after dealing with 12th crisis for the afternoon.
Creating a fun experience for your fellow volunteers, competitors, auditors, and clinic riders.
Being willing to do the not so fun stuff (like stuffing envelopes) along with fun stuff.
Staying up late at night to finish something for the next day’s event or getting up early to get things started.
Showing up and helping out.
Helping us provide recognized shows, schooling shows, clinics, the horse trials, one-day events, etc.
Helping us keep the internal operations of this organization going strong.
This is a volunteer organization. You make it all possible. Thank you.

[back to contents]


Annual E.I. Meeting, January 8, 2006

The Annual E.I. meeting will be held this year on Sunday, January 8th, 2:00 pm, at the Sammamish Valley Grange in Woodinville. Please come join us for the presentation of the survey results, the latest update on news and events, presentation of year end awards and of course fun door prizes and snacks. Address: 14654 148th Ave. NE, Woodinville.

[back to contents]


Dressage Director’s Report
Carolyn Adams Cole
As I pen this final ’05 report, shortening winter days still lie ahead. By the time my words reach your mailbox, the winter solstice will be behind us, bringing increasing daylight, and a sense of renewal.

We at E.I. are wrapping up our 2005 year, and planning activities for the coming year. Please join us at the annual meeting, Sunday, January 8th, to hear about where we’ve been, where we’re going in 2006, enjoy some refreshments and catch up with old friends.

In the meantime, here are a few E.I. events just around the corner: February 10th through 12th, Karen Robinson will be doing another freestyle clinic at Bear Creek Farm In Woodinville. The season’s first schooling show will take place the following month. And, back by popular demand, we’ll once again be offering a scribing clinic. So, look forward to getting those winter blankets cleaned and stashed away before too long and think sun!

Happy New Year!

Carolyn Adams Cole

[back to contents]


E.I. Driving Report
Mary Decher
Area drivers gathered to meet and celebrate the season on Sunday, December 4th at Lynn and Ray LeBlanc’s wonderful new home high above Carnation on Tolt Highlands Road. A large turnout braved snowy roads to join the fun of the annual pot luck and gift exchange that followed the meeting.

In Director Mary Decher’s absence, Ann Davis called the meeting to order and gave her report as Northwest Director for the American Driving Society (ADS). She announced plans for the Annual Northwest Region Meeting to be held Saturday, February 11th at the Rose Tree Restaurant in Castle Rock, Washington. The all-day meeting will include lunch and will feature Debbie Banfield, from the Gala Driving Center in Illinois. Debbie is a popular judge and clinician, and accomplished competitor in her own right.

The agenda will include: updates on any rule changes for VSE competition; challenges of organizing Combined Driving Events and Pleasure Driving Shows; updating our Northwest calendar; promoting Northwest Events; driving for the disabled; and a session entitled "Clarification of Rules in Layman Terms". If anyone has further requests for discussion, please contact Ann Davis. A final announcement will be made by mail in January.

Ann reviewed the list if ideas for 2006 activities generated at the previous meeting. She also mentioned that The “Mane Event” a large, multi-discipline Equine Exposition is planned for February at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Vancouver, WA. Watch for details and possible involvement by Northwest Driving organizations.

Following Mary’s agenda, Ann asked for nominations for a Co-Director of the E.I. Driving Committee. Jim Mc Bride was nominated and elected by acclamation! He then took the chair and as there was no further business, he had the happy task of adjourning for the fun, food, and celebration.

Many thanks go to the LeBlancs for hosting what has become a highlight of the driving year. A hearty welcome to the new members present and a very Happy New Year to all.

[back to contents]


New FEI Registration Fee Required for Horses and Riders
As approved by the 2005 FEI General Assembly, an annual FEI registration is now mandatory for all riders and horses competing in FEI events. This would include the following disciplines: Dressage, Reining, Show Jumping, Driving, Endurance and Vaulting, Paraquestrian and Eventing. The fee requirement will take effect on January 1, 2006 and it is renewable annually. Fees are $15.00 for each horse and $15.00 per rider.

This registration is in addition to acquiring a passport or horse recording. All horses and riders must be registered with the FEI before competing in any 2006 competitions. In addition, the FEI horse and rider registration form is available on the USEF web site, www.usef.org . On the homepage go to the menu on the left and select either “Competitions” or “High Performance.” The downloadable form is highlighted in red in those areas.

[back to contents]


The USEF Organization
U.S. Equestrian Inc., as the National Equestrian Federation of the U.S., is the regulatory body for the Olympic and World Championship sports of dressage, driving, endurance, eventing, reining, show jumping, and vaulting, as well as 19 other breeds and disciplines of equestrian competition. As the country's largest multi-breed organization, the Federation has over 80,000 members and recognizes more than 2,800 competitions nationwide each year. It governs all aspects of competition, including educating and licensing all judges, stewards, and technical delegates who officiate at these shows.

VISION STATEMENT
The vision of U.S. Equestrian is to provide leadership for equestrian sport in the United States of America, promoting the pursuit of excellence from the grass roots to the Olympic Games, based on a foundation of fair, safe competition and the welfare of its horses, and embracing this vision, to be the best national equestrian federation in the world.

[back to contents]


A report on the recent Digital Imaging Seminar
by Wendy Meyers
Every horse owner, sooner or later, faces a leg problem. (If it hasn’t happened to you yet, stop gloating, touch wood and read this anyway. Your day will come.) We rely on our veterinarians to explain what the issues are, what structures are affected, what the causes might be, how to treat the lameness and, hopefully, how to avoid a recurrence. The doctor will usually make reference to sesamoid bones, suspensory ligaments, superficial flexor tendons, or some other mysterious piece of the horse’s anatomy. The owner will nod and stare at the indicated area of the leg, wishing for those x-ray glasses you used to be able order from the back of comic books.

On October 22nd, a group of area equestrians got the next best thing to x-ray vision. Emerald Equine Diagnostic Clinic and Equestrians’ Institute co-sponsored a seminar on Digital Imaging and Anatomy for Horsemen. The event was held at the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Sales Pavilion at Emerald Downs Racetrack in Auburn, WA. The use of the facility was generously donated by the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders Association, and Mr. Ralph Vacca was a most gracious and accommodating host. The sales pavilion made an excellent lecture hall. The centerpiece of the seminar was a lecture by Dr. Robert Schneider, Chief of Large Animal Surgery at Washington State University. Dr. Schneider is an internationally sought lecturer, and one of the leading pioneers of the use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology in horses. He is also an engaging speaker, capable of delivering a lecture that a group of average horsemen found fascinating and easy to understand. He used an effective slide presentation to illustrate his key points, and to give the audience an opportunity to see and compare radiographs, MRI, ultrasound and nuclear scintigraphy. It was very enlightening to learn how the different technologies are used most effectively. For example, how ultrasound may be very useful for diagnosis in one part of the leg, but not useful in another. He explained how nuclear scintigraphy actually works, by using radioactive isotopes to cause the bones themselves to create an image. Radiographs differ in that they are created by projecting radioactivity through the bones to a plate on the other side. The participants were particularly interested in descriptions of what types of injuries are most common in sporthorses, as opposed to racehorses, and how a horse’s age and fitness level contributes to his predisposition to certain problems. At every mention of the suspensory ligament you could see all the dressage riders’ ears swivel forward, so they wouldn’t miss a word. It was clear that the well of Dr. Schneider’s knowledge is incredibly deep.

After the lecture and a brief break, participants moved to the hands-on portion of the seminar. Dr. Stenslie, Dr. Bergma, Dr. Johansen, and Dr. Schneider led small groups of participants in the dissection of horses’ legs. Although everyone joined in, some chose to get closer to the action then others! The doctors provided gloves, scissors and forceps for general use, but asked that the wielding of the scalpels be left to the experts. After watching just how much strength it took to resect some of the structures of the legs, it was obvious that that had been a very sound plan.

Considering that the leg of a horse has to support several thousand pounds at one point in the gallop stride, it’s no surprise that the tendons and ligaments in the leg are substantial. Just how substantial was still impressive. Tendons the circumference of a human finger spread to attachments the width of a hand. The entire surface of the sesamoid bones is buried in a supporting web. When a vet discusses the removal of a bone chip, it seems like a straightforward undertaking. But when one sees how thoroughly entwined the joints of the equine leg are in the tendons and ligaments that allow the horse to move soundly, it gives one a whole new respect for the abilities of a veterinary surgeon.

All of the doctors who so generously volunteered their time were endlessly patient and good natured. They answered hundreds of questions, encouraged everyone to stick their gloved fingers here to feel this and there to feel that, and dug into whatever part of the leg someone wanted to see. It was an athletic undertaking, and the hard-working veterinarians stayed well past the scheduled conclusion of the seminar to be certain that no question was left unanswered. Even after the dissections were completed, participants were invited to tour the Morris J. Alhadeff Veterinary Clinic.

This clinic is the home of Emerald Equine Diagnostic Clinic, a not-for-profit foundation founded in 2003, with the goal of providing western Washington with the type of high quality diagnostic care currently available at WSU. EEDC’s first major purchase will be a nuclear scintigraphy unit, which will allow early diagnosis of incomplete stress fractures that cannot be seen on routine radiographs. These incomplete stress fractures are often the precursors of the catastrophic fractures that end a horse’s career, or even his life. Scintigraphy is also useful in the diagnosis of high suspensory injuries, and even respiratory, vascular and digestive problems. Having this equipment available at Emerald Downs will save injured horses the 500 mile trip to Pullman, and allow them to remain under the care of the doctor who knows them best, their primary veterinarian. By making such cutting edge technology available to all area vets, EEDC works toward its mission of preventing cruelty to equine athletes, and advancing the education of the veterinary medical community and the general public. It is also dedicated to the advancement of veterinary science through research and financial support provided to the College of Veterinary Medicine at WSU, and seeks to establish an emergency preparedness plan at Emerald Downs. The proceeds from this symposium have been donated to EEDC, and anyone wishing to make any further contributions is welcome to do so. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. They can be made payable to Emerald Equine Diagnostic Clinic, P.O. Box 1319, Auburn, WA 98071.
[back to contents]