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Presenters

2024 conference presenters

Dr. David Rendle

BVSc MVM CertEM(IntMed) DipECEIM FRCVS RCVS and European Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine

Following graduation from The University of Bristol in 2001, David worked in farm animal and equine practice in Somerset, UK before completing an internship at Liphook Equine Hospital. A 3-year Horserace Betting Levy Board residency at The University of Glasgow and Liphook Equine Hospital enabled him to train as a specialist in equine internal medicine and to gain a masters by research into equine asthma and an RCVS certificate in equine medicine. David spent a number of years at Liphook Equine Hospital and had spells at The Royal Veterinary College and Charles Sturt University in Australia before moving to Rainbow Equine Hospital in Yorkshire where he became a director. David returned to his Westcountry roots in 2020 and now works as an independent equine medicine and therapeutics consultant. He is Immediate Past President of the British Equine Veterinary Association, chair of their health and medicines committee, and sits on a number of equine industry advisory groups. David has an active research interest in equine endocrinology and gastroenterology and speaks regularly internationally.

Ida Hammer

Ida Hammer is the creator and owner of MackinawDells 2 Whole Horse Hoof Care, founded in 2009.

She has taught over 2000 people around the globe about hoof care, and has personally trimmed over 200,000 hooves, making her one of the most experienced trimmers and equine educators in the world. She has been a member and instructor for the AANHCP and the AHA, and is a current member of PHCP. Ida’s classes, available online and in-person, are based on her own vast experience and learning from other equine professionals such as Dr. Deb Taylor, Dr. Bowker, Pete Ramey, Ray Hunt, Jillian Kreinbring, Dr. Kerry Ridgeway, Deb Davies, and so many more. Ida believes to be a true student of the horse, you never stop learning and growing, and her educational material reflects that hunger to know more. Ida has exercised horses on the track, enjoyed competitive trail rides, trained horses, loved mounted shooting, and has been blessed to have horses with her partner, Ada, for many years. When two of their heart horses were diagnosed as hopeless navicular cases in 1992 and again in 2004, Ida decided to dedicate her life to making the world a better place for horses and the humans who love them. What could have been a senseless tragedy, instead birthed Mackinaw Dells 2 Whole Horse Hoof Care. There are now over 100 certified trimmers from Ida’s program and that number is growing every year to serve more horses. The online classes and revolutionary educational tools have made it possible for people to learn to trim all over the world. Ida released her first Exploring The Equine Hoof Handbook in March of 2022 is also working on her new book that is planned for release summer of 2024. Ida currently trims 20-30 head a week to keep her hand in the game, and is now focusing on sharing information and teaching future trimmers, horse professionals, and fellow HoofNerds.  All for the love of the horse.

Dr. Jenny Hagen

Jenny Hagen, DVM, PhD, CF, is a veterinarian, re­searcher and certified farrier. She is in private practice for equine ortho­pedics, farriery and chiropractic, and is a mem­ber of the faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University in Ger­many. She is an Associated teacher at the Horseshoeing Schools Verden and Dortmund and an Associated Professor at the Institute of Veterinary Anatomy (head of the research group Equine Biomechanics and Orthopeadics). Jenny was the supervisor and clinician at the Horseshoeing School of the Clinic for Horses at Leipzig University. Jenny’s role as a veterinarian, an educator, and a farrier give her a unique perspective into the equine hoof care industry.

Wendy Murdoch

Wendy Murdoch is an internationally recognized equestrian instructor and clinician for over 30 years, author of several books and DVDs, and creator of the SURE FOOT Equine Stability Program® and Ride Like A Natural®. She is one of the most skillful teachers ever encountered in any equestrian discipline. Wendy’s desire to understand the function of both horse and human, her curiosity, and her love of teaching capitalize on the most current learning theories. In this way, she is able to help both the horse and the rider.

In 1984 while attaining her master’s degree in equine reproductive physiology, Wendy suffered a severe riding accident. Her self-rehabilitation started a quest to understand and answer the question of how to ride pain-free, using the body as it was designed. Wendy’s uncanny ability to find and study with the best people in a variety of fields and her profound curiosity make her unique. Wendy combines her creative talents with her scientific training to break down larger concepts of horseback riding as well as horse health into simple, easy-to-understand, bite-sized “chunks” for students of all ages, abilities, and disciplines.  Her ability to make learning enjoyable, engaging, and fun through in-depth presentations helps her students connect the dots and achieve their goals.

Her studies include an apprenticeship with Sally Swift, extensive training with Linda Tellington-Jones, study with holistic veterinarian Dr. Joyce Harman and equine biomechanics expert Dr. Hilary Clayton, and courses with Jon Zahourek (Anatomy in Clay®), To help her guide students towards better function Wendy became a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner® and continued her study through MBS Academy and Dr. Feldenkrais’ first assistant, Mia Segal.

Wendy’s willingness to embrace new ideas led her to develop the SURE FOOT Equine Stability Program and SURE FOOT Equine Balance Pads, which allow horses to reprogram their own brains in order to feel more grounded, secure, and confident so they can become a more willing partner.

In 2020 Wendy was introduced to the HAY SOAKER™, a product that was developed by Jennifer Azevedo to heal her horse’s health. Jen ceased manufacturing in 2012, yet people were still inquiring as to its availability.  Having embraced the manufacturing world with SURE FOOT Pads, Wendy saw that this product answered a need in the equine marketplace — a simple, easy way to soak hay for horses that need reduced-sugar hay to improve their health. She acquired the product and along with her life partner, Bradley Schneider (an engineer) improved the design, updated certain components, and added a technology to create a modern method for soaking hay.

Celeste Lazaris

Celeste is an equine biomechanical lameness specialist and an expert in equine movement and muscle development. She is a pioneer for developing the horse’s physical body to protect the nervous system. In her practice, Balance Through Movement, Celeste focuses on releasing nerve impingements in the horse that cause restrictions and undiagnosed lameness, and teaching owners how to develop their horse’s body both in-hand and under saddle, utilizing intrinsic motivation and proper movement to prevent injury and nerve related problems. She is highly valued by veterinarians around the world for her ability to help them utilize a more holistic approach for lasting changes. Due to her background as a professional trainer and competitive rider, she is approachable and excels in teaching both trainers and adult amateurs alike. Her work is truly revolutionary for equine performance, lameness prevention and helping the horse-human dynamic.