In addition to general horsemanship sessions, a plethora of discipline-specific sessions will be provided by other top experts in the industry, including:

o   Charlotte Bredahl-Baker, Dressage

o   Sinead Halpin, Eventing

o   Candice King, Hunter/Jumper

o   Dan James, Reining

o   Liz Austin, Dressage

o   Jane Melby, Barrel Racing

o   Dana Bright, Driving

o   Kristin Whittaker, Western Dressage

o   Rick Christy, Hunter under Saddle

o   Gary Lane, Easy Gaited

o   Steve Lantvit, Ranch Horse

o   Kelly Hulse, Saddleseat

o   Heidi Potter, Trail Obstacles, Centered Riding™

o   Simon Cocozza, Core Strengthening and Yoga for Horses

o   Jim Masterson, Masterson Method in Motion

Warmblood Fragile Foal Syndrome is inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion, meaning that a horse needs to have two copies of the mutation to be affected. WFFS is a fatal genetic defect of connective tissue characterized by hyperextensible, abnormally thin, fragile skin and mucous membranes. More than 700 Thoroughbreds were tested for the WFFS mutation, including 22 catastrophic breakdown fatalities. The allele frequency among all samples was 1.2 percent and the carrier rate (or horses with one copy) was 2.4 percent. None of the horses in the study had two copies of the mutation and only one of the 22 catastrophic breakdown cases carried the WFFS allele.

This number will assist in determining if it’s too hot to exercise a horse. If the sum is below 130, thermoregulation should not be a concern. When the comfort index is between 130 and 150, horses will sweat, but they can exercise without major problems. When the comfort index exceeds 150 and the humidity is greater than 75 percent, heat dissipation may be an issue and riders should monitor their horses carefully. If the comfort index exceeds 180, a horse should not be exercised, as it will be unable to dissipate enough heat to stay safe.