About Gillian
BSc First Class Honours Degree, BHS Senior Coach, Dip (RM) MSM, ITEC (equine), MCAM, MIAS, MRAMP.
Gillian is one of the leading equine anatomy and biomechanics educators in the world. Her work has improved the lives of thousands of horses and she inspires equestrians from all disciplines.
Gillian is passionate about horses, equine anatomy and sharing all she knows for the good of the horse.
An authority in equine anatomy and biomechanics, a British Horse Society Senior Coach, professional sports and remedial therapist, author and with a first-class honours degree in Equine Science and Business Management.
Gillian specialises in assessing posture and movement, devising exercises for improving performance and educating horse owners.
She is well known for her anatomical painting on live horses which she uses for her teaching.
Anatomist
"Study the bones of a horse well and they will tell you a story because anatomy reflects function"
Gillian Higgins
With a fascination for applied anatomy and biomechanics, Gillian takes every opportunity to further develop her skills and knowledge which she applies to riding, training and the management of horses.
Studying anatomy and attending dissection workshops have played a huge role in her understanding and growth. She is now proud to run annual dissection workshops through the aptly named ‘Horses Inside Out’.
Coach
& Lecturer
As a British Horse Society Senior Coach with a bubbly, engaging presentation style, a passion for anatomy and biomechanics and with the welfare and comfort of the horse in mind, Gillian teaches, lectures and presents to groups large and small all over the world.
Gillian is in demand for conferences and courses for riders, therapists, saddlers, farriers, vet schools, artists, in fact, anyone keen to learn more about horse anatomy or biomechanics or who is looking to ride and train successfully in harmony.
Gillian has also taken her lecturing online and now as well as live webinars, Gillian produces a number of online video lectures which are available in our Academy.
Presenter
Gillian is a popular presenter at conferences and with equine organisations.
Amongst others, she has given demonstrations for the Household Cavalry, the British Horse Society, British Dressage, British Eventing, the Global Dressage Forum, the World Equestrian Games and the World Arabian Horse Organisation in Qatar.
She has also visited the United States and Australia as well as many European countries.
Nearer home she has presented at Hartpury College, the Royal Agricultural University and other equestrian colleges, veterinary groups, equine centres, livery yards and riding clubs.
Gillian has also presented a skeletally painted horse to the late Queen
Equine Therapist
Gillian has studied a variety of equine and human modalities both traditional and holistic.
As well as conventional training, Gillian has studied the equine therapy industry in America, France, Germany and Sweden and is committed to giving our equine partners the best possible levels of care and consideration.
Gillian specialises in assessing the musculoskeletal system and designing exercise programmes for improving posture and performances as well as assessing and addressing individual horses’ weaknesses.
Gillian works with horses from all disciplines and levels from leisure to Olympic and is a member of the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners and the Equine Sports Massage Association.
Education
Gillian is continually updating her knowledge and qualifications, she regularly attends courses in all her fields of interest.
She works closely with Vets and regularly attends veterinary seminars and conferences. Gillian has represented the BHS in Sweden as part of the Leonardo Exchange programme designed to share knowledge with our European Counterparts.
This has given her valuable insight into alternative methods of training and treatments, the best of which she incorporates into her own practices.
Gillian is also a member of the Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners, Equine Sports Massage Association, the Institute of Anatomical Sciences, the Association of McTimoney-Corley Spinal Therapists, the British Horse Society and the Society of Equestrian Artists.
Training & Qualifications
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British Horse Society Senior Coach and Stable Manager
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First Class Honours Degree in Equine Science & Business Management from the Royal Agricultural University
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Diploma in Sports and Remedial Massage and Manipulation from MMSM Nottingham
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ITEC Diploma in Sports Massage from Mary Bromiley
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Post Graduate Diploma in McTimoney-Corley Manipulation from the Oxford College of Equine Physical Therapy
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Human and Equine KinesioTaping Practitioner Qualifications
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Equine Biomechanics with Equine Energy
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Myofascial Release Techniques
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Body Master Training from Peak Sporting Performance
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Anatomy Trains
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Electrotherapy with Dr Tim Watson
Anatomical Artist
Gillian’s work is characterised by her signature paintings of anatomical systems on live horses.
She has also painted a number of large models for organisations and charities as well as producing some quirky equine anatomical drawings and prints.
Following a partnership with the sculptor Judy Boyt, Gillian and Judy now run anatomical courses for sculptors as well as producing anatomical models for teaching and as pieces of art in their own right.
Author
Gillian has written a comprehensive range of books including:
‘How Your Horse Moves’,
‘Anatomy for Performance’ and ‘Posture for Performance'. These have been published by international publishing houses and are available in several languages.
The remainder are self published by Horses Inside Out. Gillian has also produced two DVDs: Movement from the Anatomical Perspective and Pilates for Horses.
In 2018 Gillian was commissioned to write the anatomy chapters for the new British Horse Society's Complete Horsemanship Books Volume 2, 3 and 4.
Awards and Accreditation
British Horse Society
Award of Merit 2018
Society of Master Saddlers Membership 2018
Membership of the Institute of Anatomical Sciences 2016
Honorary Lifetime Membership to the International Association of Equine Biomechanics 2016
Honorary Lifetime Membership to the Equine Therapies Association of Australia for contribution to the horse industry 2014
Finalist for the Equine Social Media Awards in 2012
Knowledge West’s Best Business Award in 2008
Rider
Gillian has ridden and competed up to Advanced level British Eventing, and has also competed in Team Chasing, British Dressage and British Show jumping.
As a student she represented Great Britain at the Student Rider’s Nations Cup in Austria and in Canada 2006 where she achieved Individual Gold for dressage.
Although competing has now taken a back seat, Gillian enjoys riding and training her horses in dressage, polework, groundwork, showjumping and eventing.
Charity Work
We support the Notts and Lincs air ambulance.
We are always particularly delighted to be booked by organisations wishing to raise money for charity.
These have included:
Riding for the Disabled,
World Horse Welfare,
individuals raising money for the Air Ambulance,
the Hippotherapy Centre at Clwyd North Wales
and the Fortune Centre of Riding Therapy.
Gillian has also painted a number of large anatomical models which have then been auctioned for charity.
These have included:-
The Cirencester Hare project – a scheme supporting conservation in the Cotswolds.
The Sheffield Elephant trail supporting The Children’s Hospital Trust
READ ALL ABOUT ELEPHANT'S STORY HERE
The World Horse Welfare’s Invisible Horse Project and Painted Pony Trail
'Mylo' to illustrate the anatomical structure for visitors at the Redwing Horse Sanctuary.
Black, a model horse painted for charity, raised £3,500 for World Horse Welfare.