| | The owner is responsible for everything their horse does and everything that it is. If it is calm, obedient, mannered, educated, and skillful, the owner is responsible for that. If it is distracted, upset, tense, pushy, ignorant, and clumsy, the owner is responsible for that.
Dr. Deb Bennett
Equine Studies Institute
Dr. Deb Bennett, an authority on the classification, evolution, anatomy and biomechanics of the horse who also presented at the 2002 Horse Breeders and Owners Conference (HBOC), will be making a presentation entitle Little Things You Can Do to Improve Your Horse at the 2007 HBOC. Internationally known for her work in horse conformation, her presentation will focus on the things owners and riders do and how these relate to a horse's performance.
Bennett’s involvement with horses includes riding and training. She has participated in nearly every form of horse competition. Practical problem solving is always a focus for “Dr. Deb” and the main goal in her presentations and teaching seminars is for athletically competent, happy, confident, long-lived and free-moving horses.
“Bennett maintains that there is no such thing as a stubborn or resistant horse,” says Les Burwash, manager of equine programs with Alberta Agriculture, Food and Rural Development and one of the conference organizers, Airdrie. “She will show how these terms are mere labels created by people who are trying to mask the fact that they do not know what makes a horse “tick”, and thus do not know how to control or train horses.”
While Bennett’s presentation is bound to be direct and perhaps a bit controversial, it will most certainly be informative and interesting. “To love a horse means to find out what he needs, and then give THAT to him,” says Bennett. “Those who fulfill the horse’s deepest needs – which are for cogent direction and constant protection – will succeed with every horse they come across. Other people will succeed only with the relatively few horses who can manage to adapt to them.”
Bennett is one of 17 internationally recognized speakers from all parts of North America, as well as Holland and Australia, who will be presenting at the 2007 conference.
“The conference offers different programs designed to fit different equine interests,” says Burwash. “Conference participants can attend any of the sessions and will receive the printed materials from all sessions.”
In addition to the educational aspect of the conference, event sponsors will be on-hand for the weekend to exhibit and talk about their equine products and services. Saturday night features the awarding of the prestigious Alberta Horse Industry Distinguished Service Award as well as live entertainment sponsored by Horse Racing Alberta.
Conference pre-registration is $85 per person and cost for additional individuals registered at the same time from the same farm is $60. Registration at the door is $85 per person and no farm discounts will be available.
For more information about the 2007 conference, contact Teresa van Bryce, manager, Horse Industry Association of Alberta, (403) 948-8521 or Les Burwash (403) 948-8538. Information is also available on the association’s website at www.albertahorseindustry.ca or by calling the Horse Industry Association of Alberta at (403) 948-8521.
Contact:
Les Burwash (403) 948-8538
Teresa van Bryce (403) 948-8521 |
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