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ISELP 2025

Information about ISELP 2025

European ISELP Module 2025: Neck and Back

September 3rd – 6th 2025

The Neck and Back module uses clinical case presentations and live demonstrations and aims to improve the diagnosis and management of neck and back pain in the field. The module provides 30 hours of instruction (including three hours of practice on live horses under the supervision of certified instructors and four hours dlive demonstration). More than thirteen instructors will be involved in this unique program.

Conditions reviewed include neck problems with or without ataxia, nuchal, and thoracolumbar conditions. Special emphasis is placed on the rehabilitation program of the different conditions.

Sporthorse Medical Diagnostic Centre (SMDC) is proud to host the European module of the International Society of Equine Locomotor Pathology (ISELP). This event will take place from September 3rd-6th 2025, at our facility in Heesch, The Netherlands.

The ISELP strives to provide practitioners with contemporary knowledge and techniques in the continually evolving field of equine locomotor analysis, in order to aid the equine clinician to better understand and manage lameness conditions in the equine athlete.

This module covers the descriptive anatomy of the neck and back with a detailed description of the bones, joints, muscles, vessels and nerves using pictures of anatomical specimens and didactic drawings. Special emphasis is placed on the clinical anatomy of the brachial plexus. A videotaped dissection of a prepared specimen, provided upfront to all attendees, demonstrates the concrete aspects of the anatomical structures considered in the module and is key to understanding the clinical diagnosis and ultrasound approach.

The functional anatomy and biomechanics of the neck and back including intervertebral joints and axial musculature is described in detail to provide insight into the etiopathogenesis of lesions responsible for neck and back pain. These data are essential for managing most of the bone, joint and muscle conditions of the neck and back with a rational rehabilitation program.

Diagnostic analgesic techniques for establishing the significance of back lesions are discussed. Ultrasound guided techniques for performing intraarticular injections of the cervical synovial (facet) joints as well as for the treatment of thoracolumbar conditions is presented.

A large part of the module is devoted to clinical cases presentations of neck and back conditions including a complete clinical examination (with pictures of the physical exam and videos of the horse manifestations), radiographic examination and ultrasound scans of the lesions. Some cases will demonstrate the interest of combined imaging using nuclear scintigraphy for the diagnosis of cervical, nuchal and thoracolumbar injuries. Interactive discussion of the prognosis as well as the treatment and management of the different conditions provide practical knowledge.

The different conditions reviewed include: neck problems with or without ataxia (wobbler syndrome, osteoarthrosis of the cervical synovial (facet) joints, cervical muscle tears, …), nuchal conditions (occipital enthesopathies of the nuchal ligament or semispinalis capitis tendon…), thoracolumbar conditions (including kissing spines, osteoarthrosis of the thoracolumbar synovial (facet) joints, supraspinal desmopathies/enthesopathies …). Special emphasis is placed on the rehabilitation program of the different conditions.

A live demonstration of the basic and advanced ultrasound techniques for the diagnosis of the different conditions of the neck and back will be presented. The ultrasonographic guided techniques to inject the cervical synovial (facet) joints as well as treat thoracolumbar conditions are demonstrated and discussed.
This year an additional day will be dedicated to treatment and rehabilitation possibilities with a multidisciplinary approach (see the program for further details)

During multiple wetlabs, attendees can learn these techniques on live horses with the help of certified instructors.

ISELP PROGRAM September 3rd-6th 2025

Your certificate will be provided after completing your evaluation form.

Wednesday September 3rd 2025

Moderator: Dr. F. van Toor

07.00 – 07.45 Registration & Breakfast
07.45 – 08.00 Welcome and Introduction SMDC – Dr. Hoogelander
08.00 – 08.45 Review Anatomy Neck and Back – Dr. Bergman
08.45 – 09.45 Horse and Rider Interaction with an Emphasis on Head and Neck Position, and Rein Tension – Dr. MacKechnie-Guire
09.45 – 10.30 Clinical Examination of the Equine Cervical Region – Dr. Hoogelander
10.30 – 11.00 Coffee break – Meet our sponsors!
11.00 – 11.45 US Equine Neck Imaging and Findings – Dr. Bergman
11.45 – 12.15 US Equine Cranial Neck Imaging and Findings – Dr. Bergman
12.15 – 13.00 US Equine Thoracic Inlet Imaging and Findings – Dr. Bergman
13.00 – 13.10 Group Photo
13.10 – 14.15 Lunch – Meet our sponsors!
14.15 – 15.45 Radiographic Examination of the Equine Cervical Spine – Dr. van Veggel
15.45 – 16.00 Coffee break – Meet our sponsors!
16.00 – 18.00 Parallel sessions

16.00 – 17.00
Group A Demo Ultrasonography Neck – Dr. Bergman & Dr. Hoogelander
Group B Surgical Interventions – Dr. Rossignol
17.00 – 18.00
Group A Cervical Surgical Interventions – Dr. Rossignol
Group B Demo Ultrasonography Neck – Dr. Bergman & Dr. Hoogelander

18.00 End of program
18.00 – 20.00 Sponsor Party

Thursday September 4th 2025

Moderator: Dr. F. van Toor

07.00 – 08.00 Breakfast
08.00 – 08.15 Welcome Day 2
08.15 – 09.15 Horse–Saddle–Rider Interaction– A Biomechanical Approach – Dr. MacKechnie–Guire
09.15 – 09.45 US Temporo–Mandibular Joints Imaging and Findings – Dr. Bergman
09.45 – 10.30 Clinical Examination of the Equine Thoracolumbar Region – Dr. Hoogelander
10.30 – 11.00 Coffee break – Meet our sponsors!
11.00 – 11.30 US Equine Thoracolumbar Imaging and Findings – Dr. Bergman
11.30 – 12.00 US Equine Neck, Back and Pectoral Muscles – Dr. Bergman
12.00 – 13.00 Radiography Thoracolumbar Imaging and Findings – Dr. Selberg
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch – Meet our sponsors!
14.00 – 15.30 3D–Cervical Imaging – Dr. Selberg
15.30 – 16.00 Coffee break – Meet our sponsors!
16.00 – 18.00 Parallel sessions

16.00 – 17.00
Group A Demo Ultrasonography Back – Dr. Bergman & Dr. Hoogelander
Group B Case Presentation – Dr. Allen & Dr. Oosterlinck
17.00 – 18.00
Group A Case Presentation – Dr. Allen & Dr. Oosterlinck
Group B Demo Ultrasonography Back – Dr. Bergman & Dr. Hoogelander

18.00 End of program
18.00 – 22.00 BBQ Party

Friday September 5th 2025

Moderator: Dr. M. Oosterlinck

07.00 – 07.45 Breakfast
07.45 – 08.00 Welcome Day 3
08.00 – 08.30 From Pain to Performance – Structuring Equine Rehabilitation for Long Term Succes – Dr. Bergman–van Mechelen
08.30 – 09.30 Breaking the Pain Cycle – Basic and Advanced Modalities for Effective Pain Relief – Dr. van Loon
09.30 – 10.30 Treatment Options Toward Functional Recovery – Integrating Electrophysical Modalities – Dr. Marques
10.30 – 11.00 Coffee break – Meet our sponsors!
11.00 – 12.15 Building Strength through Water – Dr. Murray
12.15 – 13.00 The Equine Back– what 40+ years has taught me – Dr. Allen
13.00 – 14.00 Lunch – Meet our sponsors!
14.00 – 14.45 Is it the Horse or the Rider? – Dr. Engell
14.45 – 15.00 Get ready for wetlabs (know your group)
15.00 – 19.00 Parallel sessions

15.00 – 19.00 Parallel Sessions Group A B
15.00 – 15.35
15.00 – 16.45
15.35 – 16.10
Group A Rotation wetlab station 1 – 6
16.10 – 16.45
Group B Clinical exam with a Multidisciplinary Approach – Vets and Physio’s (Team SMDC/DD–Physio)
16.45 – 17.15 Coffee Break
17.15 – 17.50
17.15 – 19.00
17.50 – 18.25
Group A Rotation wetlab station 1–6
18.25 – 19.00
Group B Ridden lameness exams: Looking above the saddle. How does the rider affect the motion of the horse? – Dr. Engell

19.00 End of program

Saturday September 6th 2025

07.00 – 07.45 Breakfast
07.45 – 08.00 Get ready for wetlabs (know your group)
08.00 – 12.00 Parallel sessions

08.00 – 09.45
Group A Clinical exam with a Multidisciplinary Approach – Vets and Physio’s (Team SMDC/DD–Physio)
08.00 – 08.35
08.35 – 09.10
09.10 – 09.45
Group B Rotation Wetlab Station 1–6
09.45 – 10.15 Coffee Break
10.15 – 12.00
Group A Ridden Lameness Exams: “Looking Above the Saddle. How Does the Rider Affect the Motion of the Horse?” – Dr. M.T. Engell
10.15 – 10.50
10.50 – 11.25
11.25 – 12.00
Group B Rotation Wetlab Station 1–6

12.00 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 End of program
Certificate handover
Safe travels home!

Wetlab station plan:

Station 1 Ultrasonography APSIVA’s Neck
Station 2 Ultrasonography US Nuchal area and TMJ’s
Station 3 Ultrasonography Thoracic inlet
Station 4 Ultrasonography Thoracolumbar
Station 5 Ultrasonography Muscles Injection Techniques
Station 6 Radiography clinic mobile generator

Be part of it

Registration ISELP Neck and Back September 3rd-6th 2025

Accommodation and travel info

Attendees have to arrange their own accommodation. Schiphol airport (Amsterdam) has worldwide direct flights. For European flights we recommend the airport of Eindhoven. Hotel accommodations are available nearby.