UPDATE: As most of you know, the AAEP is hosting its first-ever farriers conference at their 2006 convention in San Antonio, Texas, to be held December 3-6. The farrier program is on Tuesday, December 5, but farriers can also attend any programs they wish, including a special program on palmar foot pain, during the convention.
I spoke with Dr. Steve O'Grady (AAEP's farrier conference organizer) over the weekend because I knew the deadline for the lower advanced registration price was coming up (today). The form can be a little confusing if you are trying to register as a non-vet. There is no place on the form that specifically says "farrier"; instead, you should just register as a "Spouse/Guest attending sessions" and, in the box, write "farrier". Don't worry if you have already registered and didn't write in the box.
By the way, Dr. O'Grady said that the AAEP has agreed to extend the registration deadline for farriers to receive the discount rate of $395 for at least one more week (til 10/30/06). I wrote a little article about the conference for the November issue of EQUUS, which people are receiving right about now, so it is a wonderful idea to extend the deadline for all the readers of that magazine who might want to attend.
I have already spoken to or heard from a lot of farriers, from all over the country, who plan to attend this first-ever farrier conference at an AAEP convention.
Here's a link to the AAEP convention site, where you can download the full convention program and forms:
http://www.aaep.org/convention.htm
(Don't forget to register for a hotel room; this conference is one that requires you to book through the organization for choice hotels near the convention center.)
The farriers-only conference doesn't seem to be listed on the AAEP site, but you will find info on the general lameness and foot lectures listed there, all of which are open to farriers.
It is easy to register online but I am sure that you could probably also print out the form and mail or fax it to the AAEP.
You can read and printout the AAEP hoof-related convention info from this link:
http://www.hoofcare.com/news_aaepconf2006.html
or, for an interactive version where you can post a comment or question and start a dialog, look right on this blog:
http://hoofcare.blogspot.com/2006/06/2006-aaep-convention-addresses-foot.html
Anyone who is attending and would like to be part of my informal network to stay in touch with developments and get tips on how to make the most of the convention's offerings and whatever impromptu fun that I can organize for the hoof-inclined, send me an email (fran@hoofcare.com) and I'll share with you anything I know.
Hoofcare & Lameness Journal will launch a special San Antonio-bound blog as soon as I get back next week.
