STAAR Equine is an intensive, hands-on educational conference focused on equine mobility, physical therapy, sports medicine, and performance care. STAAR Equine brings together veterinarians, physical therapists, rehabilitation professionals, trainers, riders, and equine specialists for practical, evidence-based learning experiences.

Labs are taught by respected leaders and pioneers in equine rehab, biomechanics, lameness evaluation, therapeutic modalities, bodywork, neuromuscular activation, and performance medicine. The program emphasizes real world application through highly interactive wet labs designed to help participants immediately translate techniques into clinical and training settings.

To optimize learning, STAAR Equine provides practical, hands-on training using live horses. These horse volunteers and their handlers are essential to the success of the Conference. Participants benefit tremendously from the opportunity to work directly with horses in a supervised educational environment, helping them become more skilled and confident clinicians and practitioners.

STAAR instructors and participants are experienced professionals who take a thoughtful, respectful, and individualized approach to every horse involved in the program. Horses are never harmed during participation and many horses benefit from therapeutic techniques, mobility work, and movement assessments performed throughout the labs.

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Important Information for Potential Horse Volunteers

• Your horse must be comfortable being handled and evaluated by qualified veterinary and rehabilitation professionals.

• Your horse should be reasonably calm and manageable in a structured learning environment. 

• Both healthy horses and horses with specific musculoskeletal or performance-related issues are welcome. Horses with relevant conditions may be paired with labs that focus on those areas. For example, horses with neck stiffness, asymmetry, lameness concerns, rehabilitation needs, or performance limitations may be especially valuable for certain labs.

• Handlers must disclose any behavioral, medical, or mobility concerns during registration so that horses can be appropriately matched to sessions.

• We ask that horses arrive clean, groomed, and in good general condition for handling and evaluation.

• We assume horses are current on routine vaccinations and standard veterinary care.

• All horses must be sound and safe enough to participate in light handling, movement assessment, and therapeutic exercises appropriate for the assigned lab.

• Please only bring the horse(s) that were registered and approved by the STAAR Equine Committee.

• Horse handlers may volunteer for one or more labs.

 

Horse handlers may also participate in the Owner/Trainer/Rider labs, though participation requires registration for the desired labs - SEE RIDER/TRAINER REGISTRATION

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Water and stalls will be available throughout the event. Light snacks and beverages will also be provided for handlers.

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Because space within the learning areas is limited, we ask that only registered handlers accompany participating horses unless prior arrangements have been made.

Thank you for helping support hands on equine education and the future of rehabilitation, sports medicine, and performance care.

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If you are interested in volunteering with your horse at STAAR Equine, please complete the STAAR EQUINE VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION FORM or contact the STAAR Equine team at info@staarconference.com for additional information.