More than 250 horses will be going "down under" to compete in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, in riding, jumping and dressage events. Because the horses cannot leave the Olympic compound for medical treatment once the games begin, a complete equine hospital must be provided -- a hospital that will be run by the husband and wife veterinary team of Dr. Sharon Spier and Dr. Jack Snyder from the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. The pair will advise the international corps of veterinarians accompanying the horses and be prepared to evaluate lameness, treat injuries and even perform emergency surgeries. Snyder, a professor and chief of equine surgery, will be in charge of surgical procedures while Spier, an associate professor of internal medicine, will deal with infections and internal diseases. As they did during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Snyder and Spier anticipate they'll deal with a wide range of health problems ranging from foot bruises to severe digestive upsets. This year they've also added high-tech physical therapy equipment, similar to that now in use at the UC Davis Equine Physical Therapy Unit, to treat injuries and exercise-related problems. And on top of the medical challenges, they'll have to work through professional interpreters to communicate with horse owners, trainers and veterinarians from around the world. The couple will be available on campus until Aug. 20, when they leave for Australia.