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Here you will find a wealth of information about equine anatomy and biomechanics. We regularly publish articles full of exercises and top tips to help you improve your horse's musculoskeletal health, comfort and performance. Authors include Gillian Higgins, the Horses Inside Out team and a host of other equestrian specialists all world leaders in their field.
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Skeletal Maturity in Horses: Growth Plate Ossification and Age Considerations
PART 2 Understanding the process of skeletal maturity in horses is crucial for appropriate management, training and care. Skeletal maturity refers to the point at which a horse’s bones have fully developed and growth plates have ossified. In this, the second part of our blog about young horses, we explore the age at which horses generally reach skeletal maturity and the timeline of growth plate closure in different anatomical regions. Skeletal maturity in horses signifies the

Horses Inside Out
Jul 10, 20233 min read


Common Problems Seen in Young Horses
PART 1 The early years of a horse's life are crucial for their development and future success. Young horses, specifically those between the ages of three and six years, often experience a range of common problems that can affect their overall well-being, training, and performance. Growth and Development is the topic for the Horses Inside Out Conference in February 2024. Over the two days of the conference, you will be treated to a packed timetable with experts presenting th

Horses Inside Out
Jul 3, 20234 min read


My Day of Interactive Applied Anatomy
I have already attended three of Gillian’s 2 Day courses so was excited to add another one to my growing list. This time round it was the...

Jay Mackay
Jun 26, 20233 min read


Head First
A happy, comfortable horse is something all owners and trainers are striving for. Good management, feeding and training all play an integral part together with correctly fitting tack. Bridle fit and bitting is now, and quite rightly, seen as being just as important as the saddle and can have a huge impact on your horse’s performance and well-being. Having a clearer understanding of equine biomechanics and anatomy of the head highlights the huge influence that using a correctl

Horses Inside Out
Jun 19, 20235 min read


Nature 'vs' Nurture
Nature versus nurture is often talked about whether it’s considering child development or more relevant to us, in horses. Dr Andrew Hemmings has carried out lots of research that reveals that by having a detailed knowledge of innate biological characteristics (nature) can help us make decisions about the best management practices of the domestic horse (nurture). Generally, when you read about nature and nurture, the nature element very much refers to what's going on in the an

Gillian Higgins
Jun 12, 20233 min read


Getting Out There!
During the pandemic we made the decision not to do any foreign HIO trips until 2023. We'd been so busy focussing on working from home,...

Gillian Higgins
Jun 5, 20237 min read


My Trip to Sweden with Gillian Higgins
As I write this blog I have recently returned from an incredible few days away with someone who has become a good friend over the last 3...

Jessica Limpkin
May 22, 20239 min read


Neck and Back Pain in Horses
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...

Gillian Higgins
May 8, 20235 min read


Building Fitness in Your Horse
With summer almost upon us, the competition season in full swing, and more daylight hours many of us will be planning to spend more time...

Ally Lowther
May 1, 20233 min read


The Anatomical Systems of the Horse and why we need to know about them
There’s no getting away from it – horses are truly amazing and as owners, riders, trainers, therapists and other equestrian professionals...

Ally Lowther
Apr 24, 20237 min read


Horses Inside Out Online Massage Course
Massage is a powerful tool and has so many benefits, and now horse owners can learn how to massage their own horse with the Horses Inside...

Ally Lowther
Apr 17, 20232 min read


Understanding Anatomy to Boost Your Riding Confidence
In this article I suggest four top tips that will help you ensure that your horse is comfortable, and his muscular skeletal system is prepar

Gillian Higgins
Apr 10, 20235 min read


Why Correct Saddle Fit is Crucial
In this blog article we will explore the importance of regular saddle fit, include some back assessment techniques and show you some simple

Gillian Higgins
Mar 24, 20233 min read


The HIO Conference Review - Part One
It was a year in the making but all the blood, sweat and tears was worth it as the Horses Inside Out Conference made a welcome return....

Gillian Higgins
Mar 6, 20237 min read


Understanding the Horse's Back
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...

Gillian Higgins
Feb 20, 20234 min read


Treating Tendon Injuries in Horses
Caring for tendons, or managing a horse with a tendon injury is probably every horse owner’s nightmare. A horse with a tendon injury used...

Ally Lowther
Feb 6, 20232 min read


My Learning Journey with Gillian Higgins, Horses Inside Out
This is a blog I have been wanting to write for a while, and yet for some reason, every time I sit in front of my laptop with the...

Jessica Limpkin
Jan 23, 20237 min read


Learning to Listen to Your Horse
With life being such fast paced it can be so easy to overlook things that may be staring us in the face. This is also true for our horses...

Ally Lowther
Jan 16, 20233 min read


Understanding & Assessing Your Horse's Movement: Part 1 - The Biomechanics of Walk
In the first part of this series of blogs about the paces we will look at the biomechanical effects and benefits of walk and also share...

Gillian Higgins
Jan 2, 20232 min read


Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas
Struggling with finishing off your shopping for your horsey friends? We're here to help you with some cracking gift ideas that provide...

Ally Lowther
Dec 19, 20223 min read
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