Programme

/ Building on the success of previous editions, the 12th EEHNC will feature a comprehensive program of workshops and demonstrations, including sessions on exercise physiology and gait analysis. The registration desk is situated @Yalelaan 114

 
Track I: Nutrition & Performance: Warming up! Introduction in Energy metabolism of the performance horse and measuring performance

Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc

9:30-10:15

Cutting-edge insights and fundamentals in equine exercise physiology: basics and latest advances
Irene Tosi & Tania Art (Liege University)

Full description

Basics of Equine Training Physiology

10:15-10:30

Questions

10:30-11:00

Break

11:00-12:00

The relation between energy expenditure - energy requirement and performance (HR - VO2)
Ingrid Vervuert (Universität Leipzig)

Full description

Energy metabolism of the performance horse

12:00-13:00

Lunch (Yalelaan 114, Area Equine Lecture Hall)

 
Track II: Track GASTRO: Research & Expert meeting

Lecture Hall Companion Animals (Munsterlaan 7), Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc

9:15- 9:30

Welcome and Introduction: Welcome on behalf of UU/WUR and ongoing research at the Utrecht University Clinic related to Gastrointestinal Health
Host: Louis Penning (UU), Robin van den Boom (UU Wouter Hendriks (WUR)

Full description

This track is designed specifically for equine nutrition scientists to share ongoing research, expertise, and experiences. The focus will be on various (in vitro) technologies for assessing gastrointestinal health and evaluating nutritional strategies. The session will feature contributions from experts at Utrecht University (UU), Wageningen University & Research (WUR), and the team led by Soraya Shirazi-Beechey (University of Liverpool). This workshop builds on discussions from the 9th EEHNC (Utrecht) and 11th EEHNC (Ghent), continuing the tradition of advancing equine nutrition science. Research groups may also introduce themselves to facilitate colloboration.

 

 

9:30- 9:50

Centaur & Bacin2Dliver
Organoids & IVGPT & In vitro methods Mary Maxfield & Wilbert Pellikaan & Wouter Hendriks

9:50 – 10:05

Exploring the equine intestinal microbiome and it's genetic potential by using different sequencing techniques'
Mathijs Theelen (Utrecht University)

10:05 – 10:15

Nutrition & Obesity & Endocrinology
Ellen Roelfsema

10:15- 10:25

Nutraceutical approaches to management of equine leaky gut syndrome and equine articular inflammation
Wendy Pearson (University of Guelph)

10:25 - 10:45

Ongoing work at the Epithelial Function and Development Group
By Dr. Andrew W Moran & Prof Soraya Shirazi-Beechey, Professor of Molecular Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Infection Biology and Microbiomes, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences

10:45-11:05

Short Break

11:05 – 11:15

From gastric digestion to gastric diseases
Samy Julliand (Lab2Field)

11:15 – 11:40

A model for measuring Gut Permeability & Stress
Kyle McLeod University of Kentucky)

11:40 – 12:00

Discussion & Questions
What are our knowledge gaps and what are methodologies or techniques that need standardization or equine specific validation?

12:00-13:00

Lunch (Yalelaan 114, Area Equine Lecture Hall)

 
Track III: Internal medicine: Cardiology & Respiration (Part I: Location HJG 0.60 Munsterlaan 5; Break@Equine Lecture Hall Area Yalelaan 114; Part II: Riding Hall (Yalelaan 114)

Clinical Sciences (Room HJG 0.060) - Entrance Munsterlaan 5), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc

9:30-12:00

Cardiology & Respiration
Cornelie Westermann & Astrid van den Brom (Utrecht University) & Gunther van Loon (Ghent University)

Full description

Oxygen is critical for generating the energy needed to sustain the performance of athletic horses. This workshop track explores the vital roles of the cardiac and respiratory systems in equine performance, with a focus on common pathologies that can impact these systems. Participants will also gain insights into both new and established diagnostic tools, with practical demonstrations tailored for veterinary practitioners and clinics.

12:00-13:00

Lunch (Yalelaan 114, Area Equine Lecture Hall)

 
Plenary Programme (Lunch 12:00 - Start plenary program 13:00): Feeding the Muscles - Energy substrates for performance

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12:00 - 13:00

12:00 - 13:00 / Lunch (Yalelaan 114, Area Equine Lecture Hall)
Lunch is available for all delegates that registered for (a part of) the Thursday program!

13:00 - 13:15

13:00 - 13:15 / Welcome & Opening - Lecture Hall Equine - Yalelaan 114
Opening by Peter Bollen (President EEHNC) & Debby Jaarsma (Dean Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University)

13:15 - 13:30

13:15 - 13:30 / Revolutionizing Equine Anatomy Education with Augmented Reality: Focus on Muscles and GI Tract
Beerend Hierck (Utrecht University)

13:30 - 14:00

13:30 - 14:00 / Fermentation end-products (SCFA): How do they affect the gut, the liver and pancreas metabolism?
Soraya Shirazi-Beechey (University of Liverpool)

14:00 - 14:25

14:00 - 14:25 / Modulating energy metabolism and performance with a high-fibre diet
Samy Julliand (Lab2field)

14:25 - 14:30

14:25 - 14:30 / Free communication (3 min): "Plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity in healthy Standardbred trotters fed different starch allowances"
Malin Connysson

14:30 - 14:50

14:30 - 14:50 / Fueling or failing: the impact of starch, fat and stress on equine gut health.
Kyle R. McLeod (University of Kentucky) & Caroline Loos (Cavalor)

14:45 - 15:15

14:45 - 15:15 / Questions & Panel discussion
Speakers & Experts

15:15 - 15:45

15:15 - 15:45 / Break

 
Plenary Programme: Feeding the Muscles - Electrolytes

/ Fluid and Electrolyte Balance in Exercising Horses: Why Does a Horse Sweat, and What Are the Consequences for Nutrient Balance and Replenishment (Post-Exercise Strategies)?

15:45 - 16:30

15:45 - 16:30 / Fluid and electrolyte balance in exercising horses: Clinical and nutritional perspectives
Harold Schott (Michigan State University)

16:30 - 17:00

16:30 - 17:00 / An Exercise Physiologist Perspective
Michael Lindinger (Nutraceutical Alliance)

17:00 - 17:30

17:00 - 17:30 / Q&A Speakers & Expert Panel Discussion: Electrolyte supplementation for the (performance) horse
Led by Pat Harris (Waltham Petcare Science Institute), discussion with Harold Schott (Michigan State University), Michael Lindinger (Nutraceutical Alliance), Ingrid Vervuert (Leipzig University) & Carolien Munsters (Equine Integration, Utrecht University)

 
Congress Dinner - only for registered participants 19:30 - 22:30

Congres Dinner information

Full description

The congress dinner is onlyfor participants specifically registered forthe dinner beforehand. If you are registeredfor the dinner, we gather at the UtrechtUniversity Hall in the city center at 19.30pm.The address for the University hall is Domplein 29. The location is open from about 19:15.