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Articles
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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Creating Sound, Symmetrical Equine Athletes with Ros Canter
Ros Canter outlines some of the principles that underpin her training system and the importance of soundness and symmetry in her horses.

Ally Lowther
1 day ago4 min read


Lateral Saddle Slip and Your Horse’s Soundness
Correct saddle fit is fundamental to equine comfort, performance and, above all, welfare. Yet one of the most common, and most misunderstood issues affecting ridden horses is saddle slip.

Ally Lowther
6 days ago5 min read


Are Acoustic Ear Covers for Horses Effective?
Dr Sue Dyson, Independent Consultant takes a look recent research into how effective acoustic ear covers for horses really are.

Sue Dyson
Dec 23, 20257 min read


Is there a Conflict Between Advancing Equine Welfare Whilst Optimising Performance?
What is Equine Welfare?
In addressing whether there is a conflict between providing good welfare and optimising performance, Roly suggests that the starting point must be clarity around definitions.
“We need to consider what we mean by ‘welfare’, and what we mean by ‘performance’,” he explains.

Horses Inside Out
Dec 19, 20254 min read


Building a Bond and Understanding the Needs of a New Horse
Gillian introduces her new horse, George, and shares what she has learnt about him so far, along with her plans for the journey ahead.

Gillian Higgins
Dec 8, 20255 min read


Expert Exercises to Help Your Ex-Racehorse Find Balance and Bend
Ex-racehorses are incredible athletes — powerful, brave, and full of heart. But when it comes to retraining them for a new career, their early education means they often need help developing balance, coordination, and suppleness in ways that weren’t required on the racetrack.

Gillian Higgins
Dec 1, 20255 min read


Exploring Equine Asymmetry
Kirsty’s research focuses on structural asymmetry, the subtle, often invisible differences between the left and right sides of a horse’s body.

Horses Inside Out
Nov 24, 20254 min read


Giving Horses the BEST Protection From Strangles
Strangles is caused by the bacteria Streptococcus equi, - infecting the horse’s upper respiratory tract. It’s highly infectious and can be transmitted through direct contact between horses or indirectly on equipment, surfaces, hands, clothes and in water.

Horses Inside Out
Nov 17, 20256 min read


Understanding the Link Between Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome and Clinical Signs
Equine gastric ulcers are one of the most frequently discussed health issues in horses. Owners and riders often link ulcers to a range of performance and behaviour problems — from irritability and girthiness to weight loss and poor coat condition.

Sue Dyson
Nov 11, 20254 min read


How Do I Know My Horse’s Teeth Are Being Properly Cared For?
With so many professionals offering equine dental services across the UK, it can be difficult to know who is best qualified and what level of care your horse truly needs. One of the most common and most important questions horse owners ask is: “Who should I trust to look after my horse’s teeth?”

Dr Chris Pearce
Nov 3, 20254 min read


Why Your Horse’s Teeth Matter
Equine dentistry has evolved dramatically in recent years. Once considered a routine rasp to smooth sharp edges, modern dentistry now plays a vital role in supporting welfare, comfort, and performance. Today, we understand far more about how the mouth connects with the rest of the body – and why dental pain should never be overlooked.

Horses Inside Out
Sep 24, 20254 min read


Is Your Horse Strong Enough?
How can we tell if a horse is strong, or strong enough for the job we ask them to do? This seemingly simple question is one that can lead to myths and misconceptions. In this article, Gillian Higgins looks at some of the myths surrounding muscle strength, gives an overview of basic muscle anatomy and biomechanics and offers practical ways you can assess muscular strength in your own horse.

Horses Inside Out
Sep 2, 20257 min read


Equine water treadmill exercise - The why, when and how of hydrotherapy for horses
Have you ever considered the benefits of an equine water treadmill for your horse? Once reserved for elite racehorses and for rehabilitation, water treadmills are now becoming an increasingly popular tool for horse owners looking to improve equine health and performance. Combining the resistance of water with the support of buoyancy, these treadmills offer a low impact yet highly effective workout that can aid in injury recovery, build strength, and enhance cardiovascular fit

Horses Inside Out
Aug 18, 20255 min read


Taking the Confusion Out of Worming Your Horse
If you’ve ever stood in the feed room, wormer in hand, wondering whether you’re doing the right thing, you’re not alone. Modern horse owners are more informed than ever — but with that comes a flood of conflicting advice, out-of-date routines, marketing messages, and “heard it at the yard” myths.

Horses Inside Out
Aug 11, 20255 min read


Holistic Training – A Kinder, Smarter Way to Work with Your Horse
When we think about training horses, the first things that often come to mind are riding on the flat, groundwork, lunging and jumping. While these are all important parts of developing a horse, there's a growing movement toward a more holistic approach to training and working with horses that sees them as whole beings, not just athletes or tools for riding.

Horses Inside Out
Aug 4, 20255 min read


A Legacy of Learning from the Horse of a Lifetime
Premiering this September, The Bare Bones of the Matter is an exciting new online docuseries. Now, this isn’t just another educational...

Horses Inside Out
Jul 29, 20256 min read


Gillian’s Top Tips for Effective Lunging
In this second part, Gillian is going to share a few top tips to help you really nail your horse’s lunging routine. Even when you are good at using your body position and body language – your rope handling skills are top notch you may still need a little bit of extra help. Most issues you will encounter when you are lunging your horse are down to the horse not fully understanding what you are asking them to do.

Horses Inside Out
Jul 16, 20254 min read


How to Lunge Your Horse Effectively
Lunging is a fantastic form of exercise for horses. It’s not only great for building fitness and strength but also provides an opportunity to improve your horse’s way of going, balance, and responsiveness - all from the ground.

Horses Inside Out
Jul 7, 20254 min read


A History of Equine Anatomy – A Journey Through Time
At Horses Inside Out, our mission has always been clear - to show how a deeper understanding of anatomy can enhance performance and reduce the risk of injury. We all want what’s best for our horses. That’s why we keep learning, striving, and seeking new ways to improve their welfare.

Gillian Higgins
Jun 30, 20255 min read


The Power of Polework and Why Getting Your Distances Right Matters
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.

Horses Inside Out
Jun 23, 20259 min read
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