Everglades Dressage Hosts Successful Lameness Seminar with French Olympic Team Veterinarian Philippe Benoit, DVM

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Dr Benoit and the gathered veterinarians and vet students manually diagnose lameness issues before using advanced imaging technology to back up the diagnosis. (Photo courtesy of JRPR)

Wellington, FL (January 21, 2011) – Accomplished dressage rider and trainer Bethany Peslar, who operates a training and competition facility at her Everglades Dressage Farm in Wellington, recently hosted a lameness seminar for veterinarians. The seminar, which focused on diagnosing lameness, featured Philippe Benoit, DVM, the veterinarian for the French Olympic team at the 2004 Games, and was attended by veterinarians and veterinarian students from around the country.

“This seminar was a great success and I was really pleased to host it at Everglades Dressage,” Peslar said. “We have hosted these seminars before and really enjoy the fact that we are able to contribute to the industry and give back to the veterinarians who work so hard to keep our horses healthy and sound.”

Dr. Benoit, one of the top international horse show veterinarians in the world, taught an in-depth approach to diagnosing lameness during the seminar. “His approach is much more biomechanical than we traditionally learn in the United States,” said Diane Isbell, DVM, who has her own practice in California. “I have attended these seminars before at Everglades, which is a fantastic facility, and it has totally changed my practice and enabled me to help horses and owners in ways I never had before.”

Wellington vet, Dr. Tom Griffith, DVM, also attended the lameness seminar and said that Dr. Benoit taught a “whole horse” approach using the latest in diagnostic ultrasound and diagnostic radiography. Griffith and Isbell both agreed that Dr. Benoit taught the attending vets and students to first use observation and palpitation skills when diagnosing lameness, then back it up with technology.

“As much time as we put into training and competing our horses, it can be devastating if a horse develops a lameness issue,” Peslar said. “During the seminar Dr. Benoit taught advanced level diagnosis in lameness and I think his approach was wonderful and I heard only positive responses from all the veterinarians who attended.”

Everglades Dressage is a strong supporter of the equestrian community and in addition to sponsoring seminars they also sponsor the Florida winter dressage circuit. Peslar is dedicated to teaching and training up-and-coming horses and riders and sponsors classes at the Gold Coast Dressage Association and the Wellington Classic Dressage shows.

Peslar is a USDF Bronze, Silver and Gold medalist, a two-time NAYRC Silver Medalist and in 2006 she was Reserve Champion in the National Young Adult Grand Prix Championship “Brentina Cup” at Gladstone. Peslar’s impressive list of accomplishments also includes earning her USDF Gold Medal in 2003 at age 21. In 2007, she placed third in the Grand Prix Special at Dressage at Devon and second in the Grand Prix Special at CDI Saugerties. More recently, she came in second in the highly competitive Grand Prix Special at the CDI Palm Beach Dressage Derby.

For more information on Peslar, visit her website at www.evergladesdressage.com.

Bethany Peslar

Everglades Dressage

561-784-4075

www.evergladesdressage.com

EverGlaDressage@aol.com

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