WKU students share equine dental studies at global congress

By Blake Jackson

Three Western Kentucky University (WKU) agriculture students recently presented their original research on equine dentistry at the prestigious IGFP Congress held in Wiesbaden, Germany, on March 21–22, 2025. The Internationale Gesellschaft zur Funktionsverbesserung der Pferdezahne e.V. (IGFP) is a leading event in equine oral health and draws veterinary professionals and researchers from across the world.

The IGFP Congress is supported by the International Association of Equine Dentistry (IAED) and Horse Dental Equipment (HDE). It offers hands-on workshops, expert lectures, and certifications in equine dentistry. Participating in such an event gave WKU students valuable exposure to global veterinary practices.

The selected students – Remi Hensley, Lily Jones, and Savanna Arnold – based their research on data from the WKU Equine Herd at the WKU Agriculture Research and Education Center.

• Remi Hensley presented research on “The Impact of Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Sensitivity on Ridden and Ground Behavior in Horses,” exploring behavioral impacts caused by TMJ issues.
• Lily Jones introduced the “WKU Temporomandibular Scoring System,” a methodical way to assess TMJ sensitivity in horses.
• Savanna Arnold shared findings from her study, “Resolution of Temporomandibular Joint Sensitivity One Week After Equine Dental Procedures,” focusing on post-treatment effects.

These students worked under the guidance of WKU faculty and industry mentors including Dr. Debbie Shoulders, Jim Koostra, Dr. Luiz Silva, and Dr. Martha Day.

“Our students not only demonstrated a high level of academic excellence but also contributed meaningful insights to the global equine dentistry community,” said Dr. Shoulders. “This experience exemplifies the type of applied learning and cross-disciplinary collaboration that defines WKU’s approach to student research.”

This achievement highlights WKU’s commitment to hands-on learning and positions the university as a strong contributor to agricultural and animal science education.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski