European Equine Health & Nutrition Congress
The 12th European Equine Health & Nutrition Congress (EEHNC) is scheduled for March 13-15, 2025, in Utrecht, The Netherlands. The event will take place near Utrecht University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, with sessions planned at the Equine Clinic and Clinical Science Department. The historic University Hall in the heart of Utrecht will also host key parts of the program.
Building on the success of previous editions, the 12th EEHNC will offer a comprehensive program of workshops and demonstrations, including sessions on exercise physiology and gait analysis. As part of the congress, a follow-up to the highly regarded 5th EEHNC (2011) theme, “Feeding the Muscles,” will be presented. The upcoming congress will delve deeper into the nutrition of both healthy performance horses and those with muscle disorders, with added emphasis on exercise physiology.
Key speakers, including renowned experts Stephanie Valberg, Rachel Murray, Samy Julliand, Michael Lindinger, Carolien Munsters, Aagje Hardeman, Filipe Bragança and many more, have confirmed their participation. In addition to the plenary sessions, there will be tracks and expert panels tailored to nutritionists, researchers, veterinarians, and performance trainers. The congress will also address updates on electrolyte balance, thermoregulation, and clinical perspectives related to equine nutrition and performance. Multidisciplinary panel discussions will allow attendees to gain insights into the nutritional management of horses, with a focus on performance and muscle health.
Wednesday, 12th of March 2025
Time | Topic |
|---|---|
15:00-17:15 | Pre-congress: Industry meeting (City Center) |
17:15-18:15 | Discussion & Bites |
Thursday, 13th March 2025
On Thursday participants can chose between three different tracks.
TRACK I (Nutrition & Performance)
Time | Topic | Speakers | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
09:30-10:15 | Cutting-edge insights and fundamentals in equine exercise physiology: basics and latest advances | Irene Tosi & Tania Art (Liege University) | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc |
10:15:10:30 | Questions | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc | |
10:30-11:00 | Break | ||
11:00-12:00 | The relation between energy expenditure - energy requirement and performance (HR-VO2) | Ingrid Vervuert (Universität Leipzig) | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc |
12:00-13:00 | Lunch | ||
13:00-17:30 | Plenary Programme | ||
19:30-22:30 | Congress Dinner | City Centre |
Track II (GASTRO: Research & Expert Meeting)
Time | Topic | Speakers | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
09:15-10:15 | Research Meeting | Soraya Shirazi-Beechey (University of Liverpool); Wilbert Pellikaan, Wouter Hendriks & Mary Maxfield (Wageningen University); Louis Penning, Robin van den Boom and others (Utrecht University) | Lecture Hall Companion Animals, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc |
10:30-11:00 | Break | ||
11:00-12:00 | Selected Abstracts | Lecture Hall Companion Animals, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc | |
12:00-13:00 | Lunch | ||
13:00-17:30 | Plenary Programme | ||
19:30-22:30 | Congress Dinner | City Centre | |
Track III (Internal medicine: Cardiology & Respiration)
Time | Topic | Speakers | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
09:30-12:00 | Cardiology & Respiration | Cornelie Westermann & Astrid van den Brom (Utrecht University) & Gunther van Loon (Ghent University) | Equine Sciences/Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc |
12:00-13:00 | Lunch | ||
13:00-17:30 | Plenary Programme (see choices below) | ||
19:30-22:30 | Congress Dinner | City Centre |
Plenary Programme Part 1 (Feeding the Muscles - Energy substrates for perfomance)
Time | Topic | Speakers | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
13:15-13:30 | Revolutionizing Equine Anatomy Education with Augmented Reality: Focus on Muscles and GI Tract | Beerend Hierck (Utrecht University) | |
13:30-14:00 | Fermentation end-products (SCFA): How do they affect the gut, the liver and pancreas metabolism? | Soraya Shirazi-Beechey (University of Liverpool) | |
14:00-14:25 | Effects of feeding high starch or fiber to performance horses | Samy Julliand (Lab2field) | |
14:25-14:45 | To be announced | ||
14:45-15:15 | Questions & Panel discussion | ||
15:15-15:45 | Break |
Plenary Programme Part II (Feeding the Muscles - Electrolytes)
Time | Topic | Speakers | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
15:00-15:45 | Fluid and Electrolyte Balance in Exercising Horses: Why Does a Horse Sweat, and What Are the Consequences for Nutrient Balance and Replenishment (Post-Exercise Strategies)? | ||
15:45-16:30 | Fluid and electrolyte balance in exercising horses: Clinical and nutritional perspectives | Harold Schott (Michigan State University) | |
16:30-17:00 | An Exercise Physiologist Perspective | Michael Lindinger (Nutraceutical Alliance) | |
17:00-17:30 | Q&A Speakers & Expert Panel Discussion: Electrolyte supplementation for the (performance) horse | Led by Pat Harris (Waltham Petcare Science Institute), discussion with Harold Schott (Michigan State University), Michael Lindinger (Nutraceutical Alliance), Ingrid Vervuert (Leipzig University) & Carolien Munsters (Equine Integration, Utrecht University) | |
19:30-22:30 | Congress Dinner | City Centre |
Friday, 14th of March 2025
Friday starts with a plenary programme after which the participants can make a choice between three different tracks in the afternoon.
Plenary Programme (Feeding & Exercising the Healthy Performance Horse
Time | Topic | Speakers | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
09:00-09:15 | Start programme | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc | |
09:15-09:35 | Practical tips for feeding performance horses | Emanuela Valle (University of Torino) | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc |
09:35-09:50 | Questions | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc | |
09:50-10:15 | From fat to fit: the role of inflammation in re-conditioning the equine athlete | Wendy Pearson (University of Guelph) | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc |
10:15-10:30 | Questions | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc | |
10:30-11:00 | Break | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc | |
11:00-11:20 | An applied approach to fitness & workload - What do we see in practice and how do we monitor and control this? | Carolien Munsters (Equine Integration, Utrecht University) | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc |
11:20-11:30 | Questions | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc | |
11:30-11:50 | Equine quantitative gait analysis - What are the potential tools to use for the equine professional, nutritionist and veterinarian to monitor gait, performance and welfare? | Aagje Hardeman (DataHorse) & Filipe Brangança (Utrecht University) | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc |
11:50-12:00 | Questions | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc | |
12:00-12:15 | New technologies: What’s pending? | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc | |
12:15-12:30 | Q&A - General discussion: How can we monitor and improve the wellbeing of the healthy equine athlete by nutrition and the use of new technologies? | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc | |
12:30-13:00 | Quick Lunch Track IV; Lunch for Track V & VI | Lecture Hall Equine, Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht Science Parc |
Track IV (Research & Nutrition - Bus to Wageningen)
Time | Topic |
|---|---|
13:00-19:15 | Bus leaves to Wageningen University & Eurofins Agro |
Track V (Technology & Performance Montitoring)
Time | Topic | Speakers | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
13:15-13:45 | Plenary: Introduction & updates on thermoregulation | Michael Lindinger (Nutraceutical Alliance) | |
13:45-14:15 | To be announced | ||
14:15-17:30 | Live demo’s & Workshops | Aagje Hardeman (DataHorse), Carolien Munsters (Equine Integration, Utrecht University), Esther Siegers & Filipe Bragança (Utrecht University) |
Track VI (Vets & Specialists - Limited seats available)
Time | Topic | Speakers | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
13;15-13:30 | Welcome & Cavalor Research Update | ||
13:30-14:30 | Diagnosis of Muscle Problems | Stephanie Valberg (ValbergNMDL.com) | |
14:30-15:00 | Break | ||
15:00-16:00 | Fluid and Electrolyte management: Clinical Perspectives & Diagnostics | Harold Schott (Michigan State University) | |
16:00-16:15 | To be announced | ||
16:15-16:30 | Short break | ||
16:30 - 17:00 | Updates on Therapies for Horses with Insulin Dysregulation (ID) and Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) | Pat Harris (Waltham Petcare Science Institute) & Ellen Roelfsema (Utrecht University) | |
17:00-17:15 | The new Dutch Equine Parasite Guidelines | Floor van Kootwijk |
Saturday, 15th of March 2025
Saturday consists of a plenary programme.
Plenary Programme (Feeding the Horse with Muscle Problems)
Time | Topic | Speakers | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
09:00-09:15 | Start Congress | Utrecht University Hall, City Centre | |
09:15-09:45 | Why is muscle development important: Conditioning the (healthy) horse? | Rachel Murray (Consultant, Veterinary Specialist) | Utrecht University Hall, City Centre |
09:45-10:30 | Updates on feeding & management of the horse with muscle disorders: Part I | Stephanie Valberg (ValbergNMDL.com) & Joe Pagan (Kentucky Equine Research) | Utrecht University Hall, City Centre |
10:30 - 11:00 | Break | ||
11:00 - 11:30 | Updates on feeding & management of the horse with muscle disorders: Part II | Stephanie Valberg (ValbergNMDL.com) & Dr. Joe Pagan (Kentucky Equine Research) | Utrecht University Hall, City Centre |
11:30 - 11:45 | Q&A | Utrecht University Hall, City Centre | |
11:45 - 12:05 | What do we know about rehabilitation of horses with muscle problems? | Rachel Murray (Consultant, Veterinary Specialist) | Utrecht University Hall, City Centre |
12:05 - 12:30 | Case discussion: Focussing on rehabilitation of performance horses with muscle problems focussing on nutrition and exercise regimen. | Rachel Murray (Consultant, Veterinary Specialist), Caroline Munsters (Equine Integration, Utrecht University), Pat Harris (Waltham Petcare Science Institute), Stephanie Valberg (ValbergNMDL.com), Ingrid Vervuert (Leipzig University) | Utrecht University Hall, City Centre |
12:30 - 13:30 | Lunch | Utrecht University Hall, City Centre | |
13:30 - 14:30 | Why should we change the (nutrition) management to improve gastrointestinal health to create a “Happy Athlete”? Clinical perspectives & experiences focussed on EGUS & IBD | Robin van den Boom & Lieuwke Kranenburg (Utrecht University) | Utrecht University Hall, City Centre |
14:30 - 14:45 | Research news | Utrecht University Hall, City Centre | |
14:45 - 15:00 | Q&A: How can nutrition (& management & technology) help to prevent or support treatment for gastro intestinal health problems of performance horses? | Utrecht University Hall, City Centre | |
15:00 - 15:30 | Closing | Utrecht University Hall, City Centre |
Speakers
Key speakers, including renowned experts Stephanie Valberg, Rachel Murray, Samy Julliand, Michael Lindinger, Carolien Munsters, Aagje Hardeman, Filipe Bragança and many more, have confirmed their participation.
General information
All prices mentioned in the registration form are without VAT (21%). Make sure to fill out your VAT details if applicable or VAT will automatically be added. Payment will need to be done digitally at the end of the registration process.
Prices mentioned in the form are early-bird discounted by 10% until 20/01/2025 – register quick because after this date the price will increase.
Students are eligible for a 30% discount by following the steps in the form. Don’t forget to upload your student card, enter the promo code STU25 at the end of the form, and click the arrow!
It’s possible to register for a package deal or all sessions / workshops separately. Make sure you don’t register for the same thing twice! It’s only possible to register for one workshop track per day as they are held at the same time.
Please register by March 9th, 2025 as most likely registrations will be closed after this date.
Register at equine-congress.com
Please see for all information about registration, prices, and cancellation possibilities equine-congress.com