Trainer: David O’Connor & Dr. Christin Finn
Length: 06:27 Minutes
Horses have a natural, free way of moving and an alert or relaxed, content expression. David O’Connor and Dr. Christin Finn explain how horses’ appearance and movement can vary across the green, yellow, and red zones, and the signs to look for that indicate a need to proceed with caution or take action to address potential concerns.
About the Experts:
David O’Connor
Chief of Sport, US Equestrian
O’Connor, a decorated Olympian, is no stranger to US Equestrian. David represented the USA for 20 years as an athlete, where he earned individual gold and team bronze medals in Eventing at the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics and a team silver medal at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics. O’Connor joined the USEF team in his current role in October 2022, where he is responsible for working with the Executive Team on the overall international and national sport support of the Strategic Plan, its initiatives including sport integrity, education, and equine and human safety and welfare. Additionally, he provides oversight of the international and national sport operations, ensuring that the Sport Department’s short-term and long-term strategic plans align with USEF’s priorities. He also focuses on strengthening relationships with stakeholder groups such as the USOPC, FEI and USEF's Recognized Affiliates.
David served as USEF President from 2004 to 2012, and he currently serves on the FEI Board of Directors. In 2021, he was presented with the USOPC’s General Douglas MacArthur Exemplary Service Award in recognition of his continued service and commitment to equestrian sports within the Olympic and Paralympic movements.
Dr. Christin Finn
Christin Finn, DVM, CVA, CVSMT, CCRT is a holistic veterinarian. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. Dr Finn has a passion for the art and science of equine movement and structure, as they relate to comfort and performance. Dr Finn strives to help horses to achieve their full expression of grace, power, and freedom in motion. She has owned her practice Equisport Medicine since 1999. Equisport Medicine is an integrative veterinary practice, blending western and eastern medicine to provide the best and most complete therapeutic solutions for her patients. The scope of her practice includes movement evaluation, chiropractic, osteopathic manual therapy, and acupuncture. Dr Finn is committed to helping owners have healthy, happy, horses.
Originally from Newport Rhode Island, Christin Finn now lives in the Pacific Northwest on her 18-acre farm with three dogs, two horses, and 2 barn cats. Visit Christin Finn’s website @ www.finndvm.com