This book is much more than an anatomy textbook. This is a guide to how and why the horse moves as he does. An essential aid for all who care about the horse's health and athletic performance.
New in paperback for 2022, this book aims to show how – and why- the horses muscles work and explains how this knowledge can be put to good use in all aspects of horse care and riding. With careful anatomical drawings supported by explanatory text, Sara Wyche 'dissects' the horse's musculoskeletal system and describes how the various muscles work together with bones, joints, ligaments and nerves to produce movement. Throughout, there are valuable insights into how man's use of the horse can adversely affect this movement, how good riding practice can help to avoid problems, and why the horse is sometimes unable to meet the strenuous demands that are so often placed upon him. Riders, trainers, saddle-fitters – all who have an interest in the way the horse moves – will find this book to be a fascinating exploration of the horse's musculoskeletal system. More than this, it is an important guide to understanding exactly what it is they ask of the horse and, therefore, an aid to improving the horse's performance.
Combining stretching exercises and massage therapy, painmanagement specialist Dr. Ava Frick teaches horse ownersto understand muscle tone and overall equine health. Hernew book is divided into chapters focusing on each partof the horse's body: The Head, the Neck, the Shoulder andFront Legs, the Belly and Back, and the Hindquarters ......
Gentle ways to improve the horse’s core fitness while relieving pain related to conditions such as kissing spine. Every equestrian wants to know: what is the difference between the horse that “dances” when you are on him, and the one that doesn’t? According to Visconte Simon Cocozza, Trainer and Examiner for the La Fédération Française d'Equitation (FFE), it all comes down to the horse’s posture. The horse’s ability to use the powerful mechanisms already built into his body relies not upon the strength we can see on the outside but the strength on the inside. This invisible and complex arrangement of internal “core” muscles control the horse’s posture, suppleness, and agility. Their good condition is the key to the dance. Equine core muscles are very difficult to isolate with the traditional training techniques common to horse sports. However, by examining what we do with the human body when faced with a weak core, we can find new methods for conditioning these areas of the equine body. Cocozza has taken principles of the human practice of yoga and used them to develop novel ways of reaching deep within the horse’s body and: Gently “unlock” areas that may be a little “rusty.” Improve core fitness. And even relieve pain related to conditions such as kissing spine. In this highly illustrated book, he provides step-by-step instruction explaining easy mounted exercises that enhance the horse’s posture, and boost his confidence in his body and movement, making him easier to ride, and ultimately, the dance partner you’ve always imagined.
Get your horse in shape and maintain his overall fitness, regardless of his age or abilities. Equine Fitness will have your horse looking and feeling his best with a series of fun exercise routines specifically designed to enhance his strength, stamina, and agility. Clear step-by-step instructions and detailed illustrations make the exercises easy to follow, and the book includes a handy set of pocket-sized cards that you can use in the ring. Jec Ballou’s simple conditioning program promises lasting results for healthy horses and satisfied riders.
"[The author] is unequalled among living painters in the representation of animals. Excellent anatomical drawings." — New Statesman and Nation "Unusual in conception, originality, style and interest . . . a treasure for the horseman's library." — The Times (London) Literary Supplement This easy-to-read text explains the horse as a machine designed for movement. Using different colors in his drawings, the author not only describes with clarity the horse's skeleton and the functions of various muscles, but also creates images that have the power to suggest movement and stress. More than 75 illustrations include accurate diagrams and color illustrations fo the horse's anatomy, as well as meticulously rendered sketches of the entire animal. Of value to students and teachers of art, this book will also appeal to horse lovers who want a deeper understanding — without having to examine the anatomical complexities of the subject — of why this animal is capable of moving with such grace and speed.
Examine the anatomy of a horse from an entirely different perspective. This intriguing and original explanation of the 11 internal body systems of horses shows them painted on the outside to describe everything on the inside. The horse is a highly sophisticated living organism so to enable him to reach his full athletic performance and give him a happy, healthy quality of life it is vital to understand both his capabilities and limitations within the context of his structure and function. Gillian Higgins turns her trademark technique of painting internal diagrams directly onto live horses to show how all the systems work, and work together, to influence performance and reduce the risk of injury. Divided into 12 chapters, Horse Anatomy for Performance combines high quality photographs and intricate paintings with top tips and fascinating facts to provide a practical and useful guide to horse anatomy. Visually appealing, original and easily understandable, the book explains how anatomy influences the way we manage, ride and train our horses. This book is a sequel to How Your Horse Moves by Gillian Higgins; together the books provide a comprehensive guide to horse anatomy in action "Finally a book where you can learn how your horse ticks - inside out - and it is easy to understand and fun to read. A must for every serious equestrian." --Dr W. Bechtolsheimer
Based on decades of practical experience, as well as classic horsemanship theory, this book will teach anyone (from novices to experienced riders) the essentials of a horse's structure, natural balance and way of moving. Horses may be born to move but not all move equally well, and how a horse moves has an impact on how you ride. With over 300 colour drawings, Susan Harris illustrates exactly how horses move, and common movement problems, how a rider in the saddle can affect movement and can help anyone to become a more accomplished rider (and helps the horse's health). All horses - whether a dressage horse or a hunter - have the same anatomy, locomotion and nature. Understanding horse movement makes training, and riding, simpler and less frustrating for both horse and rider, as well as helping the health of the horse. Horse Gaits is an exhaustive guide to: - How balance and conformation affect movement - Flexion, bending and lateral movements - The impact of shoeing and riding on movement - Practical tips to improve your horse's movement
We all want our horses to be able to perform to the best of theirability and we know that an effective training regime has manyfacets. The horse must be worked correctly, fed a balanced ration,mentally and physically healthy and well looked after. This bookexamines a further aspect of the horse’s performance: it isdesigned to help all horse owners and riders to understand how ahorse moves and how its anatomy helps, or hinders, thehorse’s athletic ability. First, the book uses sequences of photographs and detailedanatomical drawings to show the systems of support and movement ateach phase of each of the horse’s gaits. The walk, trot,canter, gallop and jump are all examined, and the effect of therider on the horse evaluated so that the rider can take appropriateaction to avoid hindering the horse. Tips are provided throughouton ways in which the horse’s life can be made easier, such assaddle fitting, warming up and cooling down procedures.