October 1st & 2nd (Sat-Sun)

10AM-4PM

(Give code SMIC16 or say Science Of Motion International conference for discount rates)

Signature Hotel is

The Lodge on Lake Oconee

930 Greensboro Rd

Eatonton, GA 31024

(P) 706- 485-7785

(F) 706- 485-3996

www.TheLodgeOnLakeOconee.com

(Give code SMIC16 or say Science Of Motion International conference for discount rates)

(Special rates end in August so book early)

 

Each year, speakers of the Science of Motion International Conference further the deepness of their information and the quality of their presentation. In an outstanding duo, Dr. Betsy Uhl DVM, PhD, s… and Dr. Michelle Osborn PhD have enlightened several mysteries from the hoof, to the equine vertebral column, to the human vertebral column, back to the horse hoof. Betsy’s study on Navicular study unveiled the involvement of the connection between the deep digital flexor tendon and the coffin bone. The connection, known as enthesis is altered by excessive load. Betsy showed incredible electronic scanner pictures showing the difference between normal enthesis and a connection altered by navicular disease. It is very well known that with the same x-rays, one horse might be lame while the other might be sound. Advanced researches demonstrate that structure that cannot be observed through x-rays can be the cause of pain and lameness.

The science of motion goes beyond the symptoms, identifying and correcting the root cause. The hoof structure absorbs and react to forces. While its proper functioning is a perquisite, another priority is the direction, duration, intensity and frequency of the forces loading the hoof.  Since gravity is acting from the back down to the hoof through the leg, Betsy’s study went up to the equine vertebral column explaining how vertebral column dysfunction alter limbs kinematics inducing abnormal load on the distal sesamoid bone.

Proper functioning of the equine vertebral column is directly influenced by correct use of the rider’s vertebral column. We were now in the field of Michele Osborn, who is specialized in human research. Michele explained the major differences between male and female vertebral column but also the difference between the angle of muscles attachment. Through data and mathematics, Michele demonstrated what the science of motion explains regularly; men and women use their vertebral column and associated muscles differently and each individual has to figure his or her own proper coordination.

The men equaled the quality of the women presentations. Dave Ducket was outstanding. Combining advanced knowledge of hoof anatomy with extensive experience, Dave kept captivated the entire audience for three hours ending with a live demonstration of a horse. Dave Ducket is the man who discovered the center of gravity of the hoof and he explained how the discovery was made and above all, how the discovery changes traditional thinking/ Dave Ducket is not only a phenomenal farrier but he is also a superb teacher and great speaker. At ease, combining humor and pertinent information, Dave presentation was a delight of knowledge and delivery of such knowledge.

Jean Luc explained how the practical application of advanced knowledge evolved from its application for greater performance to the application for rehabilitation and soundness. Explaining that the horse, like human is constructed of system within systems, Jean Luc pointed out that many of the systems are out of reach of human influence but are intricate part of the performance and the horse’s soundness. Jean Luc emphasized the need for an education teaching the horse how to think. The horse has to think in terms of his own body efficiency and the task of the rider is guiding the horse brain toward the appropriated coordination.

 

 

Therapy In Motion

“A major cause of lameness is lameness.” James Rooney’s statement opened a totally new approach to therapies. The gait abnormality is there first and it is the repetition of the kinematics abnormality that causes injuries. Diagnostic tolls, drugs, therapies focus on the lesion. The Science of Motion asked the pertinent question; Would it be more effective to correct the kinematics abnormality before it became a lesion? Since most lesions result from the repetition of aberrant kinematics, treatment regiments and therapies will solely address the lesion. The lesion will come back if the root cause is not addressed.

This 2016 Science of Motion International conference focus on the Biomechanics of Soundness. Everybody knows the famous, “Doing the same thing and expecting different results.” The riding becoming the horse’s best therapy is not the riding causing the injury.  We will show you the subtle correlation between flexion, extension of the joints and their inward rotation that is the major cause of lameness. We will show you then, how these kinematics abnormalities can be corrected. The riding is fundamentally different as it is updated to actual knowledge. The work in hand is totally different as it focus on the biomechanics of the vertebral column instead of the legs and the bit. It is the adaptation to the riding and training technique as well as the psychology of the horse’s education that converts the rider into a therapist.

Betsy Uhl D.V.M., Ph.D., DACVP, a veterinary pathologist at the University of Georgia and Michelle Osborn Ph.D., a functional and comparative anatomist at Louisiana State University will be returning to the 2016 SOM Immersion with more on how pathomechanics is the root cause of the tissue pathology associated with lameness. Specifically they will be discussing the pathomechanics of the hock, as well as continuing discussion of the overall importance of acquired postural asymmetries. Examples of lesions will be studied and participants will help determine what postural asymmetries and pathomechanics could have created them. Kaitlyn Ruff, a bioengineer, will then demonstrate how pathomechanical explanations can be experimentally tested with her analysis of the forces acting on the navicular bone. Finally, the functional anatomic analysis of how the rider achieves dynamic stability will continue with the consideration of the “riding muscles”: their general function, how they are used during riding, and how specific muscular use may affect the horse.

"Back to the Future"

Revisiting the Duckett Dot theories

It has been well over thirty years since the new, (some now say old), innovative concepts of horseshoeing were introduced to the industry. What was presented in that period has stood the ultimate test through time and is now widely recognized by many as the standard protocol of shoeing and trimming of the horse.

At first, nothing was easy in my attempt to change the traditional perception of those that were engaged in the profession even though factual evidence was presented. Yet today, many of my original thoughts are seen in printed or electronic articles, and product promotions. Unfortunately, these distractions are in some cases, a distorted view, leaving a confusion in inexperienced minds.

The younger generation appears to have little knowledge of the original material or more importantly, how to integrate the practical theoretical knowledge into their daily work. Therefore, in an attempt to straighten out some of these misconceptions, it is appropriate to revisit the original work since little has changed over the years.   

Dave Duckett  FWCF

Dave Duckett  FWCF

A Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Farriers London England

British, International, European and World horseshoeing Champion

Winner of twenty five gold medals

Life's work-- Understanding how the horses foot synthesizes with the overall bio-mechanical function of the horses.

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