A new conference will be held this fall in Durango that seeks to highlight “the best equine research and practical horsemanship.”

“Think TED talk for horse owners and riders,” said director Maddy Butcher.

The BestHorsePractices Summit was born out of several years of frustration with other horse expos around the country, Butcher said.

“We wanted to offer something to horse owners and riders valuable to their interactions, and ideally improve the lives of horses,” she said.

“This is an opportunity to give people exposure to lots of ideas and to give them usable skills to bring back to their unique situation and their personal connection with their individual horse.”

The summit will be Oct. 8 to 10 at the La Plata County Fairgrounds and Henry Strater Theatre. Early bird registration prices are available until May 1.

Among the speakers are horse experts Wendy Williams, Dr. Sheryl King, Warwick Schiller, Jim Thomas, Dr. Steve Peters and Martin Black. More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

According to Butcher, the summit will explore two major questions as it relates to owners and their horses: “Is it good science, and does it work with my horse?”

One topic, for instance, is a talk on horse brain science, Butcher said.

“When we start looking at the horse’s brain, we have a better understanding of their flight response, and a better understanding of what they’re capable of in terms of thinking,” she said.

“We know by looking at the brain, the horse is not a strategizer, it has no agenda. Any actions we have to get back at the horse for being ‘mean to us’ is just absurd, because horses don’t do that.”

Those interested can register at BestHorsePractices.com