Get ready for some one-on-one interaction with some of SLO County’s most experienced equine veterinarians at the 2017 SLO Horse Expo! Horse Health Education is the key focus. This free opportunity plans to come around once per year, and it’s the perfect time to educate yourself on the most up-to-date horse health issues that could both save you money, and could potentially save your horse’s life.
Each veterinarian at this year’s SLO Horse Expo, held on February 21st from 5:30 to 8:30 at the Alex
But the SLO Horse Expo isn’t all about listening to amazing talks on horse health, it’s also a great place to meet up with horse friends, make new friends, enjoy wine tasting and food sampling, and even to go shopping! You’ll meet representatives from a variety of local horse clubs and businesses, and you can delight in the entire atmosphere. Best of all…the SLO Horse Expo is a free event!
Here’s the lineup for this year’s Horse Health Education by Local Veterinarians.
6:00 First Aid and Equine Emergency Care
Presented by: Dr. Tristen N. Hooks, DVM – The Horse Fixer,
Dr. Hooks will share her “Top 10 List of Common Emergencies” horse owners might experience. Not only will she discuss the emergency situations themselves, she’ll also walk you through the right steps to take as a first responder to assist the horse until the vet can properly assess the situation.
For example, most horse owners know the symptoms of colic and a first reaction will probably be to get the horse up. Well what if the horse’s pain continues and gets worse? There are some specific do’s and don’ts regarding handling a horse with colic. Dr. Hooks will arm you with information that could literally save your horse’s life.
Who is Dr. Tristen Hooks?
Dr. Tristen Hooks got her start riding in
She is on a constant search for the truth – to find the right or best answers to care for and support equine athletes. Being an active 3-Day Eventer and life long horsewoman, Dr. Hooks has seen and heard a plethora of conflicting information about horses. Ultimately, the search for the truth in all the wives tales and old time cowboy remedies, lead her to attending
Becoming a veterinarian is a second career for Dr. Hooks. She established The Horse Fixer practice in 1998. However, horses have always been her number one passion since she was very young. “I find the horse is an amazingly strong, beautiful and sensitive animal, a true mirror into our souls,” Dr. Hooks states.
6:30 Sand Colic
Presented by: David Eckstein, DVM – Templeton Veterinary Clinic
Sand Colic is a common problem among horses on the
The good news is that Sand Colic is preventable, and can even be detected BEFORE it causes a colic emergency. Horse owners will learn about how making changes in their horse’s environment and feeding practices will greatly reduce sand accumulation in the horse’s gut. You’ll get information on ways to monitor your horses to detect sand accumulation and deal with it before it causes problems.
Who is Dr. David Eckstein?
Dr. David Eckstein was born in
Dr. Eckstein and his wife Ellen moved to Templeton in 1979, where they still reside. His practice here began using his breeding farm background, with an emphasis on equine reproduction and stud management. Though his practice is primarily general equine and Sport Horse oriented, it also includes farm animals. Ellen’s influence as an F.E.I.-level dressage rider, trainer, clinician and author has helped shape David’s practice, as well as their Warmblood breeding program. David and Ellen are fully engaged with their horses. Ellen is currently preparing “Raven,” a 5-year-old homebred Hanoverian, for dressage competition, with three siblings to follow. Dr. Eckstein enjoys playing golf, raising and riding their horses.
7:00 Deadly Equine Parasites
Presented by: Dr. Jeff A. Hall – Senior Veterinarian, Equine Technical Services, Zoetis
What dangers lurk on that luscious green grass your horse just enjoyed? Parasites are tiny, but deadly. Dr. Hall will discuss the three most harmful parasites commonly found in horses. He’ll also cover the clinical signs a horse displays when infected with a deadly parasite.
Horse owners will learn how to identify the parasites, how to select the proper de-wormer – among the hundreds on the market – and how to develop a regular schedule to control the parasites and decrease the occurrence of drug resistance.
Who is Dr. Jeff Hall?
Dr. Jeff Hall received his doctorate in veterinary medicine and completed an internship in equine medicine and surgery at North Carolina State College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002. Following completion of his internship, Dr. Hall practiced in an exclusively equine surgical and ambulatory practice in
Dr. Hall joined the Zoetis Equine Technical Service team in 2012. As a senior veterinarian, he consults with practitioners across the
Dr. Hall and his wife Dr. Chea Hall, a small animal practitioner, reside in San Luis Obispo, California with their two sons where they enjoy scuba diving, soccer, baseball and taking their golden retriever, Maverick, to the beach.
7:30 Equine Wellness Programs
Presented by: Dr. Emily Bardo – The
Do you have a comprehensive Equine Wellness Program in place for your equine partner? If you don’t, you’re not alone. Dr. Bardo will define for horse owners the benefits of developing a comprehensive Equine Wellness Program, and will discuss the importance of scheduling vaccinations, deworming, dental care and regular exams of your horse.
You will see how a comprehensive Equine Wellness Program will take the guess work out of horse ownership, save you time and money in the long run and provide you with that all-important peace of mind. Partnering with a veterinarian benefits both horse and owner, making life easier and more enjoyable for all.
Who is Dr. Emily Bardo?
Dr. Bardo got her start by working on “project horses”. She did some reining with her now retired quarter horse “Peppy”, and is a native Californian who grew up on the coast in
The next step was an internship at
In her spare time, you might find Dr. Bardo hiking, watching (or listening to) the SF Giants play, and spending time at the beach.
8:00 Equine Metabolic Syndromes
Presented by: Kristina Grewal – Creston Large Animal Services
“Cushing’s Disease” is an older term for what is now known more broadly as Equine Metabolic Syndrome. Dr. Grewal will help horse owners understand the risks, treatment and management of conditions that are a result of the imbalance of three major endocrine hormones: insulin, thyroid and cortisol.
When these three hormones are not regulated properly in the horse’s body a host of conditions will arise. Some of these include: Laminitis, obesity, cardiac disorders, skin conditions and issues with immunity.
New diagnostic tools have given veterinarians more comprehensive diagnostic tests to aid in the detection of Equine Metabolic Syndrome symptoms at an earlier stage. A whole cascade of complications can arise when the imbalance is not detected and the condition goes untreated. Horse owners will learn how environmental factors can contribute to the imbalance of these hormones, and how they can control these factors to benefit their horses.
Who is Dr. Kristina Grewal?
Dr. Kristina Grewal completed her undergraduate work at
She opened her practice here on the
Don’t Miss Out!
So, mark your calendars for Tuesday February 21st, so that you don’t miss the FREE SLO Horse Expo at the Alex Madonna Expo Center
This is an event not to be missed! Take advantage of this incredible SLO County opportunity, and enjoy some fantastic wine and delicious food with old horse friends and new ones while you’re at it…and don’t forget your shopping bags, because there’s no doubt you’ll find something you can’t live without. We’ll see you there!
The 2017 SLO Horse Expo is sponsored by Platinum Performance, San Luis Obispo Equine Practitioners Alliance, and Zoetis.
Vet photos and bios provided by Zoetis
Talk descriptions and photo collage by Sharon Jantzen
