Equine Seminar Series
The Cornell Equine Hospital and Cornell Cooperative Extension are proud to host the Equine Seminar Series. These monthly virtual talks are presented by equine experts on important equine health and management topics.
The seminars are free to attend and open to the public. We hope you will join us and other equine enthusiasts for this exciting learning opportunity.
Equine Seminar Series Spring 2026
We have an exciting semester of presentations ahead, please join us for our Spring 2026 Equine Seminar Series!
All begin at 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time and are conducted via Zoom.
Tuesday, April 21st, 2026
Headshaking in Horses: Rethinking a Mystery from a Comparative Pain Perspective
Presented by Alexander Thompson, DVM, DACVAA
Equine headshaking is a frustrating and often misunderstood condition, but increasing evidence suggests it may reflect underlying nerve pain rather than abnormal behavior. This lecture will examine how and why affected horses display these behaviors, what we currently know about the condition, and how it may relate to human facial pain disorders such as trigeminal neuralgia. This talk aims to provide horse owners with a clear, compassionate understanding of the current knowledge surrounding this challenging condition.
Dr. Alexander Thomson is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia and a Founding Fellow in Pain Management. Prior to Cornell, he served as a medical director and anesthesiologist in two referral hospitals in Hong Kong, where he led specialty hospital development, accreditation initiatives, and clinical training and patient safety programs. His academic interests focus on interventional pain management, clinical pharmacology, and strategies to improve perioperative safety and communication.
Must register here to receive the Zoom link to join.
Upcoming seminars
| Date | Topic |
|---|---|
| Tuesday, April 21st | Headshaking in Horses: Rethinking a Mystery from a Comparative Pain Perspective by Dr. Alexander Thompson |
| Tuesday, May 19th | Topic: Advancements in Equine Critical Care by Dr. Hanna Sfraga |
| Friday, June 12th | Cornell Horse Symposium (In-Person Event) |
Past seminar recordings
- Equine Tendon Injuries: Why They Happen, How They're Diagnosed, and How to Optimize Recovery by Dr. Shannon Connard
- Medical Management of Mares to Improve Fertility by Dr. C. Scott Bailey
- After the Last Ride: Understanding Common Equine Health Problems Through Necropsy by Dr. Mason Jager
- Help! My Vet Heard Irregular Heartbeats: What Does that Mean? by Dr. Kathryn Mitchell
- View our entire catalog of equine seminars on our YouTube playlist here.