Since its inception in 2016, the Equine Industry Symposium hosts and participants have set out to be agents of change. As the organizers, preparing for the 5th annual event this November, the students of the Bachelor of Bio-Resource Management degree program in Equine Management are embodying change. Amidst a pandemic that has thrown all sorts of curve balls to every industry, including the equine industry, the event will switch to a new virtual format. Nov. 16 – 20, 2020, from 7:00pm to 8:30pm EST each evening, the focus of this years’ event will be on the pandemic and how it has impacted the equine industry. The theme: Resilience: Rethinking, Restructuring, Re-evaluating due to COVID-19.
The free event, held each year at the University of Guelph, has attracted a growing number of industry professionals that are interested in “being the change” the horse industry needs. The Equine Industry Symposium is for everyone with an interest in horses. It was born from a desire to have the industry working together in unity, despite division between disciplines/sectors. Participants and world renowned guest speakers all come together because they care about horse welfare and a healthy, prosperous industry.
Everyone involved in the horse industry, be it as an owner, competitor, facility manager, discipline specialist, trainer, coach, official, business owner, recreational rider, or any of a myriad of other roles, face both daily and long-term challenges in sustaining their particular equine pursuits. The welfare and wellbeing of the horse and the long-term health and growth of the industry in all sectors are topics of importance for all equine professionals.