The Equine Collective launched its first national conference on Saturday, organized in partnership with MIT World Peace University in Pune.
The event was inaugurated by Maharashtra’s Minister of Animal Husbandry and Dairy, Pankaja Munde, along with Minister of Marketing and Protocol, Jaykumar Rawal. They were joined by industry experts, academics, and various stakeholders in the equine field. The conference aimed to unite riders, breeders, veterinarians, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss the development of a structured, sustainable, and competitive equine ecosystem in India.
In her opening remarks, Gayatri Karad, the founder of The Equine Collective and the forum’s convenor, stressed the necessity of formalizing the equine sector. She remarked, “Despite being part of a global equine industry worth hundreds of billions of dollars, India’s equine sector is still largely unstructured, with many individuals lacking formal training and certification. Through The Equestrian Forum, we strive to address this issue by creating a cohesive platform that promotes skill development, standardization, and long-term career opportunities. This initiative represents not merely a discussion but a commitment to transforming the ecosystem and fostering sustainable opportunities for countless individuals involved in this field.”
Pankaja Munde, addressing the audience, underscored the significance of innovation and teamwork. She stated, “While new ideas can be challenging, they hold immense power. The notion of a collective approach for the equine sector is both timely and essential. This sector has tremendous potential, not only in sports but also in rural development, environmental sustainability, and job creation. We are dedicated to endorsing initiatives related to animal welfare, scientific breeding, veterinary services, and skill enhancement. The state government is eager to collaborate with institutions and engage with universities to foster the growth of the equine ecosystem.”
Jaykumar Rawal emphasized the cultural and economic importance of the equine sector, noting, “The bond between humans and horses is rooted in trust, discipline, and emotional connection. India boasts a rich equine heritage, and it is crucial to both preserve and promote this legacy while modernizing the industry. There is significant growth potential in fields such as breeding, equine tourism, veterinary care, and training.”
Rahul Karad, the executive president of MIT-WPU, highlighted academia’s role in driving sectoral advancement. He stated, “Through initiatives like The Equestrian Forum, MIT-WPU aims to integrate education, animal welfare, sports science, and innovation to fortify India’s equestrian ecosystem. Equestrian development extends beyond sports; it also involves animal care, rural engagement, research, and youth involvement. For emerging sectors like this, collaboration among academia, government, and industry is vital to establish a sustainable and knowledge-based ecosystem. We believe that national-level initiatives will motivate students, researchers, and professionals to contribute significantly to the growth of India’s equine sector.”
The inaugural session was succeeded by a panel discussion focused on policy and governance aimed at rebranding and enhancing the equine industry. Moderated by senior journalist Cyrus Madan, the panel included Pankaja Munde, Jaykumar Rawal, Dr. Farrokh Wadia, president of the National Horse Breeding Society of India, and Dr. Anhad Sidhu, an equine surgeon from Chandigarh.
The forum features expert-led sessions, panel discussions, and live demonstrations covering topics such as breeding, veterinary science, animal welfare, technology adoption, and policy frameworks, with contributions from prominent national and international experts.
