Speaker Series: Christina Gindt, Dr. Scott Hansen, and Darlene Mardock

On April 23, 2025, students gathered for a unique and insightful class led by Race Track Industry Program Alumni, Bloodstock Agent and Consultant Christina Gindt, who focused on Functional Conformation and Performance Management of Horses. Christina was joined by Equine Sport Medicine veterinarian Dr. Scott Hansen and Sporthorse Farm Manager Darlene Mardock providing additional insight into the conversation. The session blended theory with practical evaluation to deepen participants' understanding of equine biomechanics and its role in performance and injury prevention.     

The first half of the session was devoted to exploring what "form to function" means in the context of horse conformation. Discussions emphasized that no horse has perfect conformation and that the ideal conformation is not the same in every discipline. Knowing a horse’s intended discipline, such as racing, jumping, dressage, or rodeo, can help us pick the right horse for the job. Furthermore, understanding a horse’s conformation can teach us how to better assess a horse’s suitability for the various disciplines and make informed decisions about training and care strategies.

“When judging a horse’s conformation, consider the age, current soundness, and planned purpose of the horse. Some “faults” may be well managed while others may be a red flag,” shared Gindt.

The second half of the class shifted to hands-on conformation and movement evaluations of four horses at the University of Arizona’s Al-Marah Equine Center. This gave students an opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, observing how theory translates to practice.

Overall, the session offered valuable insight on how to recognize functional conformation and understand how to manage training and care with a performance-oriented approach. We thank Christina, Dr. Hansen, and Darleen for sharing their expertise and offering students a practical and engaging learning experience.