The Equine Brain & Body Symposium

A 5-Day Immersive Experience in Equine Neuroscience & Functional Anatomy

Hosted by NCDCTA | August 6–10

Featuring

Dr. Steve Peters, Neuroscientist 
Jillian Kreinbring, M.S., Functional Anatomist

Understand the Horse From the Inside Out

What if your training, riding, teaching, or care decisions were guided by a clear understanding of how the horse’s brain processes pressure, learning, stress, and recovery, and how that brain is inseparably linked to the body’s structure and movement?

This August, NCDCTA invites you to a rare, in-depth five-day symposium that brings together equine neuroscience and functional anatomy in one integrated learning experience.

This is not a surface-level overview.
This is a deep, progressive study designed for people who want to think more clearly, act more ethically, and work more effectively with horses.

Why This Symposium Is Different

 Science That Explains Behavior
Learn how the equine brain interprets environment, pressure, fear, and learning and why behavior is communication, not resistance.

 Anatomy That Explains Movement
Understand how structure and neurological input shape movement, soundness, and compensation.

 Integration, Not Silos
This symposium intentionally bridges brain and body, allowing participants to see the whole horse rather than isolated systems.

 Optional Hands-On Learning
Limited-enrollment anatomy labs and a highly exclusive private dissection option offer opportunities to deepen understanding through direct observation.

Who Should Attend

This symposium is designed for:

• Trainers, instructors, and coaches

• Judges and educators

• Veterinary and bodywork professionals

• Serious riders and horse owners

• Anyone committed to horse-first, evidence-based practice

Whether you work with young horses, high-performance athletes, rehabilitation cases, or lifelong partners, this experience will fundamentally shift how you interpret behavior, movement, and stress.

Program Structure & Flow

Learning unfolds progressively across five full days, allowing time for integration, questions, and synthesis.

Thursday, August 6

Check-in & welcome, followed by opening lectures with Dr. Steve Peters and Jillian Kreinbring

Friday, August 7

Full-day lecture with Dr. Steve Peters
Optional evening anatomy lab (limited enrollment)

Saturday, August 8

Full-day lecture with Jillian Kreinbring

Sunday, August 9

Full-day lecture with Dr. Steve Peters
Optional evening anatomy lab (limited enrollment)

Monday, August 10

Full-day lecture with Jillian Kreinbring
Closing integration session and curated Q&A

 A detailed course syllabus will be provided to registered participants.

Optional Laboratory Experiences

Private Dissection Experience - Anatomy Labs

• Small-group access (12 participants per session)

• Friday and Sunday evenings

• Designed to reinforce lecture material through guided observation

• Extremely limited availability

• For participants seeking the deepest possible anatomical understanding

• Details provided upon registration

Registration & Pricing

Early Bird Registration: $1,250
Available through Easter

Standard Registration: $1,350
Available through July 31

 Space is limited. Early registration is strongly encouraged.

What You’ll Leave With

• A clearer understanding of how horses learn, adapt, and cope with stress

• Practical insight into behavior, movement, and soundness

• Language and frameworks to support ethical decision-making

• A more integrated, compassionate, and effective approach to working with horses

• A community of like-minded professionals and learners

Hosted by NCDCTA

Committed to education and thoughtful development of our equine partners across the disciplines of dressage, eventing and western dressage.