As part of the ongoing celebration of its 25th anniversary, the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center held an Open House on Saturday, June 13 from noon to 4 p.m. The event was free and open to the public.

Visitors had the opportunity to see premier horse health care in action because several demonstrations - using live horses - were scheduled. For instance, the center's faculty performed ultrasound exams, endoscopy tests, and put a horse through its paces on the high-speed treadmill. Also, demonstrations took place that to show how acupuncture is performed on a horse, how horses get their teeth cleaned, and visitors witnessed an equine "surgical procedure" (but, in this case, the patient was a stuffed toy horse).

In addition, presentations on how to prepare a competitive application for veterinary college were made and lectures on equine colic were featured.

Those attending the open house had the opportunity to visit with a Clydesdale named Forrest, along with several horses from the U.S. Army's Caisson Platoon and its Therapeutic Riding Program. "Bo," a miniature horse that has learned behaviors and tricks through clicker training, was also on hand to demonstrate his skills. The open house also included activities for children.

For more information, visit the equine medical center online. (http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/emc/)