EDITOR of The Irish Field, Leo Powell, officially opened the two-day 2016 Irish Equine Veterinary Conference in The Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny yesterday, attended by over 100 vets specialising in the care of horses.

Wexford equine vet Rosalinda Devereux MRCVS, chair of Veterinary Ireland’s equine committee, said that the significance of the equine sector can be seen in the figures, with the thoroughbred sector worth over €1.1 billion, exporting to some 37 countries and employing 14,000 people countrywide while the Irish Sport Horse Industry is estimated to contribute €700 million to the economy, supporting 12,000 jobs.

Devereux welcomed the impressive line-up of top speakers, including the new head of Anti-Doping and Chief Veterinary Officer for the Turf Club, Dr Lynn Hillyer.

Centred around the main themes of diagnosis and management, the veterinary topics for discussion at the conference included ultrasounds and radiography, stifle injuries, tendon injuries and back pain.

Marie Harty of Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital, presented the inaugural Ned Gowing Memorial Lecture. Plenary speakers include Professor Celia Marr, an expert in equine internal medicine and Dr Sinead Devine of UCD Veterinary Hospital who lead the practical sessions on the diagnosis and management of back pain. Professor of Equine Orthopaedics at the Royal Veterinary College, Roger Smith, spoke on a range of subjects from tendon injuries to ultrasound techniques.