Introduction

Welcome from the President

Welcome to BEVA Congress 2013, one of the major equine veterinary events of the year and a foremost social gathering for equine vets globally! This is our 52nd annual congress but the first time we have visited the magnificent city of Manchester, one of England’s most dynamic cities. Our congress committee, led by Sandy Love, has brought together a broad and exciting programme of science and education suitable for everyone from new graduates in veterinary practice, to seasoned professionals and specialists in their fields.

The range of subjects and streams is better than ever and the science bursts into action on Thursday morning with the hugely anticipated John Hickman Plenary Lecture. It gives me great pleasure that Padraic Dixon is presenting the Plenary Lecture this year. Paddy’s career has spanned five decades and he comes from a generation of vets who were keen to tackle anything. To this day, Paddy performs a range of surgery and clinical work, lectures undergraduate students, supervises PhD students and publishes his own original research, particularly in the area of equine dentistry in which he has become particularly renowned. Following the plenary lecture, congress really takes off with a continuation of dental topics, including a panel discussion on the ‘myths and science’ of equine dentistry! […]