These classes are great opportunities for you to gain in-depth knowledge on a specific topic and meet other horse people from the area. The fee for each course is $8. Light refreshments will be served. The courses are interactive and hands-on, making class size limited, so be sure to call us early at (585) 889-1170 to reserve space for your family and friends.
Wild, Wondrous, Worrisome? What Every Horse Owner Should Know About Wound Healing
Tuesday March 19, 2019 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Presented by: Mandi Beckmann, DVM
If you own a horse for long enough, odds are that at some point you will be faced with the task of helping a wound heal. Big or small, all shapes and locations – there’s lots to know and consider when it comes to healing and recovery.
Dr. Mandi Beckmann will talk about common types of wounds, how we treat them, what to watch for as they heal, and cutting edge therapies for wound care and healing.
Tough Times, Hard Decisions: Topics We Would Rather Not Discuss!
Monday, February 11, 2019 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Presented by: Amy Leibeck, DVM 
Owning a horse is a big responsibility when things are going well, but when the unexpected happens, the full impact of that responsibility is really felt. Being prepared for those unpredictable situations can help you to make practical and responsible decisions when emotionally charged events happen.
Dr. Amy Leibeck will discuss decision making around high cost on-farm and referral hospital services. How will you decide if a life saving procedure will be reasonable for your equine partner? How will your horse be transported if need be?
During the evening, end of life decisions will be discussed. Quality of life for our equine friends is not always easy to assess, but owner, caretaker and veterinarian together can consult to help make the best choice for the horse at these times.
The euthanasia procedure and carcass disposal will be covered. We are in a new age of disposal since the rendering services we have used in the past are no longer accepting horses. Hydrocremation, cremation, burial and composting will be on the docket in this informative evening of topics we would rather not discuss!
Aging Equines: Keep Your Geriatric Horse Galloping into Its Golden Years
Wednesday January 23, 2019 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Presented by: Joan Ayers, DVM
The average life expectancy of horses has been increasing. This means that we are seeing more age related and chronic ailments that need management. Fortunately, with good care many horses have excellent qualities of life into their thirties. Do you know what things you should be aware of over your horse’s lifetime? Dr. Joan Ayers will discuss screening and management of common age related ailments in older horses. Some topics covered will include Cushing’s disease, arthritis management, dental issues, nutrition, and preventative medicine. Whether you have a young horse or a solid senior citizen, come join us to learn tips to help your horses age gracefully into their golden years!
The Places the Endoscope Can Go: A Look Inside Your Horse
Wednesday, December 12, 2018 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Presented by: Loryn Smith, DVM
The endoscope is an essential diagnostic tool that can assist our veterinarians by enabling them to see right inside your horse. There are many places we can explore with endoscopes. GVEC has a 3.5 meter gastroscope which is used for stomachs and bladders, and a 1.5 meter endoscope that is used for the respiratory tract. A small video camera in the end of the scope sends an image to a laptop computer so that the veterinarian gets a real time image of what’s inside. There are many applications for the information gained from the endoscope images. We can diagnose gastric ulcers, respiratory disease, or bladder stones. Please join Dr. Loryn Smith for an evening discussion of all the places these scopes can go!