Austria's largest equestrian education event was held on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at the Puttererseehalle in Aigen im Ennstal. After the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the organizing committee, led by Dr. Birgit Heidinger and Ing. Irene Mösenbacher-Molterer (HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein), was encouraged by the increasing number of attendees. Thanks to the relevant and topical topics chosen, the hybrid format of the event welcomed 340 participants from Austria and Germany.
The conference opened with a moving presentation on ethical considerations and questions, followed by a high-level panel discussion on the topic with representatives from sport, breeding, and veterinary medicine. Safety, as well as legal and animal welfare aspects in road traffic and the training of driving horses, formed the second part of the conference.
The presentation of Austrian breeds is a cherished tradition, and this year, in addition to the Austrian Riding Pony, newly introduced breeds such as the Austrian Pony and the Austrian Partbred Pony were also showcased. Extensive discussions and the answering of relevant questions accompanied the registration and mandatory reporting of equine presence in the VIS database, leading into a comprehensive veterinary session. This session covered topics such as the effects of heat on horses, the recognition of lameness and its physiotherapeutic treatment options, as well as interesting insights into complementary medicine methods, providing an informative conclusion to the day's events.
Practical and scientifically sound contributions characterize the Austrian Equestrian Conference with its accompanying trade exhibition every year; recognition is given not only through high interest from the participants but also through continuing education accreditation by the Austrian Equestrian Federation, the Austrian Animal Health Service, and agricultural and forestry teaching and consulting.
This successful conference will be continued in spring 2024 in cooperation with all Austrian equine-related institutions. Please feel free to contact us with any questions or suggestions
Impressions from the 11th Equestrian Conference in Aigen im Ennstal 2023
Downloads of the released posts
The proceedings of the 2023 equine conference can be found at the top of the page for browsing; the downloads from the 2023 equine conference are compiled here for you:
