Hands-on learning at its best: explore the practical programme at BEVA Congress 2025

The practical teaching area at BEVA Congress

This year’s practical programme at BEVA Congress is shaping up to be one of the strongest yet. It is packed with opportunities for vets and nurses at every stage of their career to gain confidence and refine their skills through hands-on learning.

Thursday: Sutures, Bandages and Radiographs

Kicking things off on Thursday, you can look forward to immersive practical sessions focused on suturing, dressings, and bandaging. These workshops, led by experienced vets and nurses, will use both cadaver limbs and prosthetic models, with materials generously donated by exhibitors to provide a realistic and high-value learning experience in the heart of Birmingham’s ICC.

Later in the day, you can take part in one of two highly anticipated sessions offering face-to-face instruction in radiographic positioning using model horses. These sessions are designed to improve technique, troubleshoot common faults, and build confidence under the guidance of leading experts in equine radiography. Attendees will also have the chance to explore a wide range of digital radiography systems, with major manufacturers and suppliers showcasing their latest innovations.

Friday: Imaging, Blocking and Emergency Rescue

Friday’s line-up in the Practical Teaching Area starts strong with concurrent sessions on ultrasonography and distal limb nerve and joint blocks. Small group sessions will provide tailored guidance using cadaver limbs, with Congress speakers and exhibitors working together to ensure top-quality instruction in everything from anatomical landmarks to advanced scanning techniques.

In the afternoon, the spotlight shifts to the Nurse Stream practicals and a live emergency rescue demonstration. Led by BARTA’s Jim Green and sponsored by The Horse Trust, this session promises to be both informative and unforgettable. Meanwhile, the Nurse Committee will host an exciting carousel of practical teaching stations covering lab biologics, the Madigan Squeeze, foal feeding techniques, suturing, and assisting in orthopaedic surgery.

Saturday: Radiography Revisited

On Saturday, the radiography team returns to consolidate learning and refine imaging skills essential for both ambulatory and clinic-based professionals. Whether you're performing PPE sets or tackling emergency diagnostics, this is a golden opportunity to boost your confidence and accuracy with guidance from seasoned radiographers.

Arthrex Teaching Lab: The Ultimate Ortho Experience

And finally, back by popular demand, the Arthrex teaching lab on wheels rolls into Congress with an unmissable programme.

Across Thursday and Friday, Dave Stack, Marco Marcatili, and Mike Bellinger will lead sessions covering ultrasound-guided techniques, distal limb joint injections, arthroscopic fetlock exploration, and the use of the NanoScope to access the digital flexor tendon sheath with minimal invasiveness.

Don’t Miss Out

With practical teaching embedded throughout the Congress programme, there’s never been a better time to learn by doing. Come prepared to roll up your sleeves, sharpen your skills, and bring back invaluable techniques to share with your team and benefit your patients.

Reserve Your Place

Due to high demand, places for practical sessions will be allocated via a ballot system, giving all delegates a fair opportunity to take part. The ballot will open shortly after the early bird deadline on Wednesday 6 August, with a link available via the Congress app and emailed directly to all registered delegates.

To ensure as many people as possible can benefit from these sessions, we’ll be introducing a £20 no-show fee this year, aimed at encouraging those allocated places to either attend or release them in good time. It’s all about making sure those valuable spots don’t go to waste!

If you’re not selected in the ballot, don’t worry. There still might be a chance to join a session on the day if space becomes available. Just head to the Practical Teaching Area and speak to a member of the BEVA team. We’ll do our best to get you involved.

Book your Congress place today