On March 8, 2025, a collaborative effort between the Kentucky 4-H Horse Program and the Kentucky Horse Park resulted in the inaugural Hippology clinic open to the general public. The sold out event was very well received, and participants enjoyed a fun day of learning and networking. Speakers came from a variety of backgrounds, sharing valuable insight and content. I conceived the event and contacted the Horse Park, who then offered to partner with us. The event was sold out, at over 150 attendees. 

We are so fortunate to have the Kentucky Horse Park in our backyard, and I am so pleased to have partnered with them to create this fun and interactive educational event, where kids and adults can spend a day in this beautiful park, while learning from the best in the industry. 

The program offered an adult and youth tracks, with specialized lectures for each group, resulting in an engaging and fast paced learning experience. Adult track topics included diseases transmitted by ticks and ways to prevent them, and to protect horses from ticks and other pests; and how to start and coach a hippology team. As intended, audience members were able to take home actionable steps from speakers. Youth track topics were very interactive, and included horse breeds, colors and markings, and careers with horses. Youth were very engaged, asking questions, answering prompts from the speakers and taking notes. Thanks to magazine donations from The Horse Magazine, youth were able to practice what they learned by creating their very own collage of horses, labeling the relevant colors and markings present.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Ferrin Peterson, shared her fascinating life story and expertise in a joint session with youth and adults just before lunch. Dr. Peterson’s talk inspired youth and adults alike, as she told her story of being both a practicing veterinarian and competitive jockey. This was an encouraging reminder to pursue goals with steady determination and a mind wide open.

During lunch participants had the chance to view and study a labeled horse skeleton, and study for the afternoon "test your knowledge" exams. 

The afternoon sessions included a trip to the International Museum of the Horse and the Breeds Barn. At the museum, participants visited the skeleton of the famous racehorse Lexington and learned about his incredible story, along with how the Kentucky Horse Park acquired the skeleton. At the Breeds Barn attendees were able to meet and greet some unique breeds that call the Kentucky Horse Park home.

The day concluded with a fun but competitive knowledge test, complete with a youth and adult division. 

This event was a clear example of what can happen thanks to teamwork and collaboration. We are grateful for the partnership between the Kentucky 4-H Horse Program and the Kentucky Horse Park and the 2026 event is already being planned! 

Over the weeks that followed the event, I received numerous messages from participants, expressing how much they learned and how well planned and executed the event was.