Under the Skin

Making Sense of Equine Anatomy and Movement

Knowing the basics of skeleton and muscles, and how the body is designed to function, helps you to help your horse to lifelong healthy living. A balanced, comfortable body results in smooth, athletic movement; a calm and attentive mind; and an open and trusting heart – ready for a great partnership.

Emotional states strongly affect our body image and movement. Imagine the appearance of someone whose back hurts, who’s frightened, or angry; on the other hand, imagine the look of a person laughing with a friend, riding their favorite trail, or accepting an award. Humans and horses share similar emotions, and our bodies speak the same language.

Compare the suppleness, power and lightness of the black horse with the stiff, worried, painfully tense bay.

A good way to start: practice looking at the details of a horse’s shape and movement here: [“Read Your Horse’s Body Language”].

Read Your Horse’s Body Language

The ‘body language’ spoken by the shape and movement of a horse’s body tells more than his breed. It shows us the story of his life: past and recent accidents, where and how he lives, even how he’s ridden. Inherited or Acquired? Body shape, or ‘conformation,’ is both inherited and acquired. Bone length, thickness and […]