A horse’s bones form the framework that supports every step, jump, and turn. Without strong, healthy bones, even the best training, nutrition, and care can fall short. Yet, because bones lie beneath layers of muscle and skin, problems are often hidden until they start to affect a horse’s movement, comfort or performance. Understanding how to protect and maintain skeletal health is essential for anyone who wants their horse to stay sound and active for as long as possible.

Polework is an incredibly effective and accessible training tool for horses of all ages, disciplines, and abilities, but only when it’s done correctly. One of the most common questions we receive at Horses Inside Out is: “What’s the correct distance for poles?” It's a good question and one that is important to understand not just for ease and performance, but also for the horse’s musculoskeletal health, posture, and confidence.

One of the most important parts of setting up for a successful training session is the warm-up phase. Sometimes, the importance of this phase can be overlooked or rushed.

Starting a young horse's training is an exciting and rewarding journey, but it also comes with huge responsibility. The choices made in the early years will directly impact the horse’s future soundness, performance, and overall well-being.

In this article, we look at the benefits of stretching exercises for your horse and three stretches that all horses should do.

Groundwork is working your horse from the ground. It is hugely beneficial to all horses whatever their age or stage of training

The core muscles of the horse play a vital role in a horse's balance and posture.

Back issues in horses can vary from tight, sore back muscles to muscle atrophy or even bony pathology such as Kissing Spine. There are lots

This article encourages you to take a moment to think about the remarkable ways horses enrich our lives, how they contribute to our physical

Gillian's 8 Top Exercises to Help Horses with Kissing Spines

‘Conformation Assessment: What Does Good Look Like?’ Aimed at horse owners wanting to be able to assess their own horse in more detail and

Taking the Mystery out of Equine Anatomy – Which Muscles of the Horse Carry the Rider?

Understand more about the anatomy of the horse's back and how it impacts how we train and care for them

Kissing spines is a condition that affects the bony projections (spinous processes) that point upward from the main vertebrae. These spinous processes are normally spaced apart, but in some horses they can touch or overlap, causing pain and inflammation. Kissing spines is most common in the thoracic region, where the saddle and the rider's weight are located. The most frequently affected vertebrae are T13 to T18, with T15 being the most common. The Causes of Kissing Spines Th

All owners want their horses to be happy, healthy and sound. Recognising when your horse isn’t performing as he should is key to his welfare. We know that neck and back pain has a negative effect on equine performance, but they can go untreated as they can be tricky to diagnose. However, with access to more diagnostic tools and targeted treatments, conditions in the neck and back can be treated successfully. To help you learn more about the current thinking in this area, Equi

In this blog article we will explore the importance of regular saddle fit, include some back assessment techniques and show you some simple

With good back posture being key to a good performance as well as a happy healthy horse, understanding more about how the horse's back works should be high on the list for every rider, trainer and therapist as this information can help us to keep the horse's back healthy, strong and mobile. Knowing the names of the bones of course help us to communicate with our vet and other team members that help to look after our horses. But in my mind it is having an understanding of the

A well-fitting and balanced saddle is comfortable for you and your horse. Your saddle fitter is an integral part of the team of professionals that are there to ensure the best for the both of you. Here at Horses Inside Out we would always recommend that if you’re in any doubt about the fit of your saddle you need to enlist the help of a qualified saddle fitter. In this blog, Gillian Higgins offers her advice looking at saddle fit related to the anatomy of the horse and three