OVER the last number of years, the Irish Equine Veterinary Association has seen its annual three-day conference go from strength to strength to the point where it is now a respected and eagerly anticipated “must attend” event by the equine veterinary industry, both at home and abroad. They have added a whole extra day for practice management CPD, focusing on communication with the practice team and with the clients. With its carefully curated programme of lectures, topics, expert speakers, wetlabs, workshops, nursing stream, Exhibitors’ Hall, Case Awards initiative, Future Proof campaign and series of fringe event activities, it is officially Ireland’s largest equine veterinary CDP event.

The programme provides content for students, recent graduates, established specialists and mixed vets that see horses, as well as other speciates.

Additionally, the programme provides great networking opportunities; both professionally and socially. IEVA24 is delighted to be hosting a series of product launches from Irish-based stakeholders, as well as welcoming a number of European-based exhibitors. While IEVA24 is designed by equine vets for equine vets, the entire Irish bloodstock industry, be that horse sport or horse racing, is the ultimate benefactor. The IEVA Conference 2024 programme and equine veterinary delegate tickets can be accessed via www.irisheva.ie

Opening Day 1: Thursday, November 7th

The Irish Equine Veterinary Conference gets underway on Thursday, November 7th with a series of one day Wetlabs. Grennan Equestrian College, Thomastown is playing host to Equine Behaviour With Orla Doherty and will include handling/practical sessions.

Shankill Castle, Paulstown is the venue for the Ophthalmology Wetlab. It includes demonstrations, examination of a live horse with an eye problem. It also covers distant direct, indirect and direct ophthalmoscopy.

While the Wetlabs are taking place, the equine veterinary industry stakeholders will be filing in to the Exhibitor Hall to set up their exhibition stands. Once completed, exhibitors and Wetlab attendees will gather together for the annual supper and quiz.

This evening allows exhibitors to mingle and most likely mix a little pleasure and business. This quiz is hotly contested and is fiercely competitive!

Day 2: Friday, November 8th

Following the opening address, a duet of two programme streams running concurrently will get underway.

Main stream will be led by Pete Ramzan of Rossdale and Partners, Europe’s largest equine practice and Tim Knott, Veterinary Ophthalmologist. This stream includes presentations of IEVA Case Awards for graduates and will end with a closing plenary lecture.

Stream 2 entitled Essentials in Equine Practice. A great series of speakers to deliver presentations on this topic; namely Lisa Allen, Kevin Corley, Jill Bryan, Orla Doherty, Lesley Ferguson, Sarah Ross and a representative from the Department of Agriculture. This stream also includes a Pilates session.

While both streams are happening, opportunities are factored in for delegates to visit the Exhibitor Hall to network with the stand holders, who will be exhibiting and showcasing the latest in equine veterinary technologies and advances in surgical equipment, as well as networking for the series of service providers.

Following a day of lectures and visits to the Exhibitors, IEVA will host its Gala Dinner, which has become the social highlight of the conference over the last few years. The promise to provide great food, followed by also great dancing… It’s a great opportunity for all to let their proverbial hair down!

Day 3: Saturday, November 9th

Day 3 stages a series of streams and a newly programmed workshop. Stream 1 consists of a series of expert speakers, covering a wider number of topics from equine welfare, wellbeing in veterinary practice to equine insurance and updates from industry stakeholders. Speakers include Joe Collins of the Donkey Sanctuary Ireland, Karen Dunne, Dundalk IT and Carolyn Crowe of the Veterinary Defence Society, UK.

Steam 2 covers “What’s New in the Papers”, Clinical Abstracts, as well as Key Skills for recent Graduates and Students.

Stream 3, which is curated for veterinary nurses, covers a series of wide-ranging topics, as well as a number of practical sessions.

An additional workshop was been curated for 2024. This will cover a number of topics; namely AMR in Equine Practice, Sustainability in Equine Practice and Getting Papers Published.

Again, opportunities have been factored in for delegates to visit the Exhibitor Hall

Day 4: Sunday, November 10th

A new addition to the IEVA Conference is a Getting Down to Business Seminar, details of which are pending publication. Stay tuned…

Date for your Diary

IEVA Conference 2025: November 6th – 8th 2025, Lyrath Estate, Kilkenny

Sponsors List

Name Sponsorship

Agria Gala Dinner Reception

Celtic SMR Wetlab - Ophthalmology

Connolly’s RED MILLS Case Award - Practitioner

Horse Sport Ireland Future Proof Students

IMV Imaging Case Award - Graduate

Interchem Wetlab - Ophthalmology

Irish Equine Centre Abstract Research Posters

Molloy Veterinary Speaker Provision

Acravet

Agria Pet Insure

Animal Health Laboratories

Biomerieux

Boehringer Ingelheim

Botanica

Celtic SMR

Duggan Veterinary Supplies

Equine Blades Direct

Equine Dental Clinic

Forte Healthcare

Glenbio Pharma

Horse Racing Ireland

IDEXX

IMV Imaging

Interchem Ireland

Irish Equine Centre

Irish Veterinary Nurses Association

Labstock Micro Services

Lynch Medical Supplies

Molloy Veterinary Supplies

Norbrook

Sidekick Animal Health

Terafloat Europa

The Donkey Sanctuary

Vet Drive

Vet Save

VSSCo

Tribute from the IEVA President

“In advance of the IEVA24, I would pay tribute to the entire IEVA Team for their support and input. A special word of thanks to our wonderful family of exhibitors, speakers and sponsors. We couldn’t do it without them. Together, we have curated our most ambitious conference yet.

“Each year, we look to expand the programme of lectures, presentations, as well as developing our series of initiatives and campaigns to support established veterinary practitioners and nurture both recent graduates and students, who will, in time become our next generation of equine veterinarians. I am really looking forward to meeting everyone at IEVA24”

Sabrina Barnwell

IEVA President