Renowned equine orthopedic surgeon Dean Richardson, DVM, DACVS, will impress upon practitioners the surgical opportunities available for fracture repair and the associated importance of improving emergency management when he delivers the Frank J. Milne State-of-the-Art Lecture on Monday, Dec. 9 at the American Association of Equine Practitioners’ 65th Annual Convention in Denver, Colo.

During his lecture, “The Tao of Equine Fracture Management,” Dr. Richardson will encourage a shift in the industry’s perception of fractures based on imaging advancements, technology developments and philosophical changes in recent decades that have resulted in successful outcomes for many seriously injured horses that previously would never have been treated. Practitioners will acquire a thorough understanding of and ability to communicate the treatment options available for horses with major bone and joint injuries. 

Dr. Richardson is the Charles W. Raker Chair in Equine Surgery and Chief of Large Animal Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s New Bolton Center. His research and clinical interests have focused on improving fracture repair and joint surgery.

Dr. Richardson received his veterinary degree from The Ohio State University in 1979 and completed his internship at New Bolton Center, where he has been ever since. He is perhaps best known as leader of the New Bolton Center veterinary team that treated 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro following serious hind leg injuries sustained in the Preakness Stakes. Despite his administrative load, Dr. Richardson maintains a busy clinical practice, oversees a research laboratory and still greatly enjoys teaching veterinary students, interns and residents.

His accolades include numerous teaching awards as well as the 1997 Pfizer Award for Excellence in Research, the 2006 Special Eclipse Award from the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (as part of “Team Barbaro”), and a Special Commendation from the American College of Veterinary Surgeons in 2007. 

The convention lecture, sponsored by Platinum Performance, is named for AAEP past president and distinguished life member Dr. Frank J. Milne.

The 65th Annual Convention will be held Dec. 7–11 at the Colorado Convention Center. For additional information or to register for the event, visit convention.aaep.org. 

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse. Currently, AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse owners through its over 9,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry. 

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