The objectives for this course are as follows:

• To elucidate the concept and role of rehabilitation in equine clinical care
• To identify the etiology and common types of injuries that are presented for rehabilitation
• To identify different rehabilitation options that can be used for cases with spinal dysfunction
• To use new palpation, range of motion and gait analysis skills to evaluate how rehabilitative techniques can be best applied
• To distinguish between professional roles of team players in equine rehabilitation, and contextualize where each professional’s skills fit into the overall rehabilitation protocol
• To design rehabilitation protocols to address specific conditions and/or injuries, using the techniques learned
• To integrate the knowledge of rehabilitation techniques into clinical assessments
• To interpret the results of rehabilitation techniques to gain insight on whether the horse is improving in subsequent sessions.

PREREQUISITES: Participants must belong to one of the professions listed below. Individuals not included in this list must first be approved by the Course Sponsors after a review of their credentials and academic qualifications. Participants must hold a recognized qualification in the field of equine healthcare. They must understand functional anatomy with regard to the musculoskeletal system and be able to palpate and identify surface anatomy. Participants must have confident horse handling skills, understand equine behavior and be comfortable working around different equine personalities and dispositions. Participants must have worked professionally and full-time with horses for at least 1 year unless noted differently. PROFESSIONALS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND THESE COURSES: Veterinary Medicine Degree: proof of degree must be provided upon registration and must fulfill the prerequisite. Physical Therapists: Proof of degree must be provided upon registration. 2 letters of recommendations from veterinarians in regards to working with the particular species (equine or canine) required. Participant must satisfy the prerequisite. Doctor of Chiropractic: Proof of degree must be provided upon registration. 2 letters of recommendations from veterinarians in regards to working with the particular species (equine or canine) required. Doctor of Osteopathy: Proof of degree must be provided upon registration. 2 letters of recommendations from veterinarians in regards to working with the particular species (equine or canine) required. Participant must satisfy the prerequisite. Animal Massage Therapists: Proof of certification from a 320+ recognized course (no online certification courses) which must be either canine for canine courses or equine for equine courses. No students allowed. Participants must have at least 1 year of experience after the qualifying certification program. Program attended must require onsite participation, case studies after the onsite course and testing after the onsite course. 2 letters of recommendations from veterinarians in regards to working with the particular species (equine or canine) required. Participant must satisfy the prerequisite. It is understood that some of the courses presented do not allow non-veterinarians to utilize the methods demonstrated due to regulations. Veterinary Technicians & Pt Assistants: Must have at least 1year of experience and practice after the certification in a professional setting with a veterinarian. One letter of recommendations from the employing veterinarian or licensed physical therapist in regards to working with the particular species (equine or canine) required. The letter must include a statement explaining your duties involved as a veterinary technician or PT assistant. A second letter of recommendations from veterinarians in regards to working with the particular species (equine or canine) required. Participant must satisfy the prerequisite. It is understood that some of the courses presented do not allow non-veterinarians to utilize the methods demonstrated due to regulations or may require veterinary supervision. Students: Veterinary Medicine students in their final year only. Students must submit 2 letters of recommendations from veterinarians, advisors or instructors from their school approving them for the course of study. Participant must satisfy the prerequisite Should a student have any special needs, they need to contact the Equinology office well before the course so we can make the necessary arrangements to accommodate these requirements.

Text and Materials Required: None Course Handouts: Free Externship Grading and Certificate: Free to those who sign up for the externship

Dr Carrie Schlachter, VMD, IVC, is recognized as one of the leading clinicians in the field of equine sports medicine and rehabilitation. In addition, her clinical knowledge and experience is vast, making her the ideal candidate to lecture and instruct on the subjects of equine anatomy, pathology, lameness, diagnostic imaging and clinical rehabilitation.

Dr. Schlachter’s practice focuses on integrative sports medicine, rehabilitation and injury prevention. She founded and designed Circle Oak Equine’s rehabilitation and fitness programs and then set up new practice focusing on developing monitoring protocols for injury prevention in the sports horse.

Dr Schlachter achieved her board certification in equine sports medicine and rehabilitation through the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, and serves on their examination committee as well as on the American Association of Equine Practitioners Education committee.

Dr. Schlachter grew up riding horses in the competitive ‘A’ circuit on the East Coast and has almost 35 years of experience with horses as a rider, veterinarian, and owner. Educated at the University of Pennsylvania’s Veterinary School and New Bolton Center, she received the Charles F. Reid Clinical Excellence Award for Sports Medicine and Imaging as well as numerous scholarships. She is a former member of the Large Animal Services External Advisory Board of the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Hospital. She participates in multiple advanced imaging educational workshops every year and is actively pursuing her board certification in equine sports medicine and rehabilitation through the ACVSMR.

For many years in general practice, Dr. Schlachter nurtured her interest in sports medicine, particularly in diagnostic ultrasound. To increase her diagnostic and treatment options, she has broadened her expertise to include chiropractic manipulation and acupuncture as well as regenerative medicine therapies such as IRAP, PRP, and bone marrow-derived stem cells.

Dr. Schlachter enjoys teaching for Equinology and its associates around the world, as well as lecturing on equine sports medicine, rehabilitation and digital diagnostic imaging. Together with her colleagues, Debranne Pattillo and Dr Nicole Rombach, she founded the Academy of Animal Sport Science, which offers a certification program in Animal Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation for Licensed Professionals.

Coming soon!