Bingen/Waldalgesheim, Germany, September 23 to 24, 2020

New (30.8.2020): The location of this course has been changed! It will be hold on September 23 in the NH Bingen hotel (lectures) and on September 24 in the Tierklinik Binger Wald (practice), Germany. 

Learn about why it is so valuable to watch horses ridden and about the complications that potentially ensue when assessing the horse – tack – rider triad. Learn about how the Ridden Horse Ethogram was developed and validated and how equine behavior can tell us about the likely presence or absence of equine musculoskeletal pain. Like any clinical tool, to use the Ridden Horse Ethogram well requires knowledge of the pitfalls and guidance in its use. Learn how to apply the Ridden Horse Ethogram and practice its application.

The German Academy for Continuous Veterinary Education (ATF) has credited the event with 13 hours.

Wednesday, September 23

  • 10:00 – Introduction
  • 10:15 – Importance of seeing horses ridden for assessment of lameness and poor performance. Sue Dyson
  • 11:15 – Coffee break
  • 11:45 – The development of the ethogram. Sue Dyson
  • 12:45 – A real case. Katy Thompson
  • 13:15 – Lunch
  • 14:15 – How to use the ridden horse ethogram. Sue Dyson
  • 15:15 – Video based practical evaluation of pain in ridden horses. Sue Dyson
  • 16:00 – Coffee break
  • 16:30 – Wet-lab: Evaluating non-lame and lame horses ridden. Sue Dyson and Katy Thompson
  • 18:00 – Discussion of findings and methodology.
  • 18:30 – End and dinner together in a nearby restaurant

Thursday, September 24

  • 9:00 – Participants will be divided in 2 groups to apply the ethogram and assess other aspects of each ridden horse´s gait and performance alternating between Sue Dyson and Katy Thompson
  • 12:00 – Discussion on the experience obtained during the practical session. Sue Dyson and Katy Thompson
  • 13:00 – Lunch
  • 14:00 – Application of the ethogram to horses at 5* three-day-events. Sue Dyson
  • 14:30 – Importance of saddle fit for horse & rider. Sue Dyson
  • 15:00 – Use of the ethogram at PPEs. Sue Dyson
  • 15:30 – Coffee break
  • 16:00 – Influence of rider skill on ridden horse behavior. Sue Dyson
  • 16:30 – Tacking up and mounting behavior and other factors influencing behavior. Sue Dyson
  • 17:00 – End