Strong turnout for Purdue Veterinary Medicine’s Equine Wellness Forum Demonstrates Value of Equine Health Education

Equine Wellness Forum attendees enjoyed a demonstration of the high speed equine treadmill in the Donald J. McCrosky Equine Sports Medicine Center.
Equine Wellness Forum attendees enjoyed a demonstration of the high speed equine treadmill in the Donald J. McCrosky Equine Sports Medicine Center.

The 2025 Equine Wellness Forum attracted an enthusiastic audience that included additional attendees who participated virtually. The day-long continuing education event hosted by the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine on Saturday, February 8, highlighted the value of the equine health education provided by the college to equine enthusiasts.

With more than 170 participants from across Indiana and 17 other states, the event’s strong turnout of horse owners and industry professionals reflected the desire of equine enthusiasts to expand their understanding of equine wellness. The forum offered both in-person and virtual options, enabling a wide range of participants to benefit from the programming.

The 2025 Equine Wellness Forum included a combination of talks and demonstrations. Topics ranged from essential preventative care to trailer safety. The program included presentations by Purdue Veterinary Medicine specialists and live demonstrations that provided a first-hand look at techniques for responding to emergencies and proper trailer safety protocols, as well as an up close view of a galloping horse as it ran on the high speed equine treadmill in the Donald J. McCroskey Equine Sports Medicine Center.

Dr. Michelle Tucker, assistant professor of large animal surgery, demonstrated proper bandaging during a session on emergency skills.
Dr. Michelle Tucker, assistant professor of large animal surgery, demonstrated proper bandaging during a session on emergency skills.

The distinguished lineup of speakers at the forum included several Purdue faculty members. Dr. Tim Lescun, interim head of the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences and professor of large animal surgery, opened the forum with a welcome and introductory remarks.
Other presenters included:

  • Dr. Francois-Renè Bertin, associate professor of large animal internal medicine, who spoke about “Endocrine Diseases and Older Horses”
  • Dr. Seiji Yoshimura, clinical assistant professor of large animal surgery, who shared insights into “Common Problems in the Foot”
  • Dr. Erin Wilson, Purdue Veterinary Medicine alumna and nutrition consultant for Cargill Animal Nutrition, who gave a talk entitled, “Equine Nutrition: New Innovations in Support of Digestive Health”
  • Dr. Jurica Tršan, visiting assistant professor of large animal medicine and emergency and critical care (ECC), who entitled his presentation, “How to Have the Best Emergency Ever”
  • Kyle Clever, RVT, CVT, veterinary technician for the Veterinary Hospital’s Equine Field Service, who shared expertise on “Maximizing Winter Hoof Care” with his session entitled “No Hoof, No Horse”
Dr. Seiji Yoshimura, clinical assistant professor of large animal surgery, taught Equine Wellness Forum attendees about common problems in the foot.
Dr. Seiji Yoshimura, clinical assistant professor of large animal surgery, taught Equine Wellness Forum attendees about common problems in the foot.

A special thank you is in order for seven Purdue veterinary students in the Equine Club, who assisted with demonstrations and led tours of the David and Bonnie Brunner Equine Hospital at the conclusion of the event.

With a diverse audience of horse owners, veterinary technicians, students, government workers, clinical staff, and farm workers, the Equine Wellness Forum served as a valuable resource for equine health professionals and enthusiasts – a key event in the equine industry calendar. The date already is set for next year’s Equine Wellness Forum, which will be held again at Lynn Hall on February 7, 2026.

Purdue Veterinary Medicine Equine Club members helped in a variety of ways at the Equine Wellness Forum (left-right): Sandra Warne, Emma Nikolai, Madeline Frey, Riley Eder (president-elect), Samantha Currie, Kaitlyn Steele and Korrine Tate (president).
Purdue Veterinary Medicine Equine Club members helped in a variety of ways at the Equine Wellness Forum (left-right): Sandra Warne, Emma Nikolai, Madeline Frey, Riley Eder (president-elect), Samantha Currie, Kaitlyn Steele and Korrine Tate (president).

Writer(s): Kevin Doerr, Andrea Kellogg | pvmnews@purdue.edu

Recent Stories

“Paws Up” – brought to you by the PVM Wellness Committee

Today we’re sending a big “High Five” to Emma Wood, who is a Medical Oncology Client Liaison and the Client Liaison Team Lead for the Purdue Small Animal Reception Team, for the supportive energy she brings to her work every day.

In Memory: Former Veterinary Medical Library Staff Member Tonya Mull 

The Purdue Veterinary Medicine community is saddened to learn that Tonya R. Mull of Lafayette, Indiana, who served as a longtime Purdue Libraries staff member, including multiple years as a staff member in the Veterinary Medical Library, passed away October 18 at Franciscan Health Lafayette East.  She was 59.

PVM Symposium Offers MOAAR Education on Medicine of Aquatics, Amphibians and Reptiles

Veterinary professionals and students gathered recently at the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine to take advantage of a special opportunity to enhance their knowledge and expertise about the care and treatment of aquatic, amphibian, and reptilian species. The fifth biennial Medicine of Aquatics, Amphibians, and Reptiles (MOAAR) Symposium was held October 18–19, at Lynn Hall on Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus, bringing together veterinarians, veterinary technicians, students, and experts dedicated to the care of exotic species.

Local Veterinary Celebration Highlights Global Veterinary Education

Going global is a popular ambition in the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine as evidenced by the turnout for the college’s annual Global Engagement Fair last Friday, October 17. Held in the Veterinary Medical Library in Lynn Hall, the festive event featured international cuisine and displays about various study abroad opportunities available to Purdue DVM and Veterinary Technology students.