The 12th EEHNC – March 2025
Milne Feeds Equine Nutrition Advisor, Michelle Meylan, was thrilled to attend the 12th European Equine Health and Nutrition Congress (EEHNC) in Utrecht in March. The conference had a true global perspective, with over 274 delegates attending, from 20 different countries. The biennial congress was organised by the dedicated EEHNC committee and was hosted by Utrecht University in the Netherlands. It was an opportunity to bring together internationally recognised specialists in nutrition, veterinary scientists, veterinarians, industry representatives, and equine professionals.
The theme of the congress was nutrition for performance horses, including those with muscle disorders, with particular emphasis on ‘Feeding the Muscles’. The program featured three specialised streams, with comprehensive workshops and demonstrations, including sessions on monitoring exercise response and gait analysis. Key updates on energy provision, electrolyte balance, thermoregulation, and clinical perspectives related to equine nutrition and performance were also covered, along with several abstract presentations of recent research.
Expert panel discussions were a highlight for attendees, providing an opportunity for open discussion and collaboration on specific nutrition topics. Dr Joe Pagan and Dr Stephanie Valberg presented a two-part session on their many years of research into muscle myopathies and the influence of nutrition on the various disorders.
Gastrointestinal health was also a focus at the congress. This specific research segment, presented by Robin van den Boom and Louis Penning (Utrecht University), was very interesting and included plenary session covering themes such as gastric ulcers and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
With a wealth of technical information presented, by leading experts in their chosen fields, the congress was well received by all attendees. It was also an excellent opportunity to catch up with fellow nutritionists, from various parts of the globe. Michelle was also fortunate to visit a European riding and training stable to discuss their feeding regimes and learn more about local practices. We look forward to sharing the information gained to with our equine customers.