A Legacy of Learning from the Horse of a Lifetime
- Horses Inside Out
- Jul 29
- 6 min read
Updated: Aug 14
Premiering this September, The Bare Bones of the Matter is an exciting new online docuseries. Now, this isn’t just another educational programme from Horses Inside Out. It’s a heartfelt tribute and a powerful learning experience built around one truly exceptional horse, Freddie Fox.
At the core of this series is the story of how a mischievous, charismatic grey gelding became the teacher, companion, and face of Horses Inside Out that’s helped horse lovers around the world better understand equine anatomy and biomechanics to enhance equine welfare, improve their horse’s performance, comfort, musculoskeletal health and reduce the risk of injury.
In the Bare Bones of the Matter, an online documentary series we look at the life of a horse and what we as horse owners and riders can learn from his story. We're going to meet the professionals that are a necessary part of a horse's team to help keep him happy, healthy, comfortable, performing well and sound. We're also going to discuss welfare issues that face modern day horses, and what we can do to help keep our horses both performing at their best and in the best possible condition.
To many of you, this horse will seem like just another ordinary horse. To others, he's going to be an extraordinary horse. Many of you will know him. He has been the face of Horses Inside Out since the beginning, and probably the most painted horse ever. Freddie Fox is on the front cover of most of Gillian's books, and he has performed at many different lecture demonstrations, he really has helped teach hundreds, if not 1000s of people about anatomy, biomechanics and the importance of this knowledge to help us improve the lives of our horses.
“After unveiling Freddie’s skeleton at the 2023 conference as well as helping anyone who came on my courses learning from him, I wanted more," explains Gillian. "The big theme coming out of the 2023 conference was all about the importance of the horse’s team. It was from here that the idea for the Bare Bones of the Matter started. To create a documentary series using Freddie’s skeleton as a springboard for discussion and look at how, in today's day and age, working with the core team of professionals we can keep horses happy and healthy.”
The first episode of the Bare Bones of the Matter is Freddie’s Story and sets the scene for the rest of series. Gillian will take you right back to the start of their partnership together, talk about the highs and the lows. Also, the inspiration behind Horses Inside Out and the integral role Freddie played and continues to do so today. This article gives you just a little insight into what to expect from Episode 1 of the Bare Bones of the Matter.
From Spirited Youngster to Equine Icon
Freddie Fox’s journey with Gillian began during her time studying for a degree at the Royal Agricultural University, Cirencester. Fresh from qualifying as an Equine Sports and Remedial Therapist with Mary Bromiley, Gillian was looking for a new horse to continue her passion of eventing with after the loss of her previous horse. Her budget wasn’t huge but Gillian was on the look out for something that was good quality and special – enter Freddie Fox.
“I knew the gentleman that was selling him, and he explained to me that he'd got this young horse on the yard. His name was Freddie, a grey gelding, but he was a little bit cheeky and had a bit of a nap in him.”
Freddie was five years old and after a few rides, Gillian brought him home, unknowingly setting the wheels in motion for what would become Horses Inside Out a few years down the line.
What followed was a journey filled with dedication, learning, and partnership. With good training, Freddie’s exuberance gradually gave way to focus, and the pair found success eventing, with the pinnacle being a win at intermediate level at Gatcombe Park and a memorable meeting with Princess Anne.
It was during the time when Gillian was running her therapy business that she thought some of her clients would benefit from understanding a bit more about ‘how their horse works’ as well as more about their equine anatomy. Using Freddie as a model, she painted him with his skeleton and used him as a living canvas to illustrate basic anatomy. It was from there that Horses Inside Out was born and is now the international educational organisation it is today.
Horses Inside Out could never have been the success it is without Freddie. As well as being the star of the Horses Inside Out
books, Freddie also features in much of Horses Inside Out's marketing material.
For many years Freddie travelled the country teaching horse lovers all about applied anatomy, physiology, biomechanics as well as all the things that make horses lives, happier and more comfortable.
Freddie's Lasting Legacy
By this time Freddie was no longer competing but still enjoyed going out for a hack with Gillian’s dad. Eventually it became clear Freddie was no longer enjoying life, so together with her family who had all been on this wonderful journey with us, they decided the time had come. Freddie was fed his favourite polos and gently put to sleep on a beautiful summer’s day in his own green, lush and familiar paddock surrounded by the humans who had loved and cared for him.
As sad as it was losing Freddie, Gillian was keen that his legacy would live on. By this time, Freddie was known by horse communities all over the world. Although it was not an easy decision, it was thought to be the perfect way for Freddie to continue his work educating and improving the welfare of the horse. He was sent to Bristol University where his bones were cleaned and preserved. This brings us back to the start of this article and the upcoming documentary series, The Bare Bones of the Matter!
The Gold Standard of Horse Care
The Bare Bones of the Matter is a seven-part online series that uses Freddie as a case study to highlight how we can change the way we think about training, horse care and welfare. Gillian has always believed that to have a happy, healthy horse you need a really good team of experts working with you and that’s what will be discussed in this unique online series.
In the first chapter, which premiers on Wednesday 24 September 2025, as well as sharing the inspiring story of Freddie Fox - her horse of a lifetime. Gillian introduces us to Freddie’s skeleton, explores his anatomy and the valuable insights his bones reveal.
Also in this chapter, leading equine scientists and professionals provide expert analysis, each offering a unique perspective on different aspects of Freddie’s skeleton and what it teaches us about horse care and well-being. Diane Gilby from Intelligent Worming is just one expert who will be joining Gillian in episode 1. They will explore the vital role of internal health and parasite control, highlighting how gold-standard practices and evolving strategies were used to support Freddie’s individual parasite management plan.
Here's what's coming in the rest of this exciting new series:
Chapter 2: Holistic Training with the late Caroline Moore and Richard Davison
Wednesday 1st October 2025
Chapter 3: Healthy Bones with Dr Sue Dyson
Wednesday 8th October 2025
Chapter 4: Hoof Care and Balance with Mark Johnson
Wednesday 15th October 2025
Chapter 5: Dentistry, Performance and Beyond with Dr Chris Pearce
Wednesday 12th November 2025
Chapter 6: Saddlery and Symmetry with Laurence Pearman and Catherine Baker
Wednesday 19th November 2025
Chapter 7: Veterans and Veterinary Care with Matthew Barlow and Clare MacLeod.
Wednesday 26th November 2025
Live Question and Discussion Session with Gillian Higgins, Richard Davison, Dr Sue Dyson, Mark Johnson, Dr Chris Pearce, Catherine Baker and Clare MacLeod.
Wednesday 3rd December
The Bare Bones of the Matter wouldn't have been possible without the support of some amazing collaborators. Each one of them also shares the passion and commitment to improve the welfare of the horse. It is an honour that the British Horse Society, World Horse Welfare, the Society of Master Saddlers, Intelligent Worming, Intelligent Horsemanship, the Performance Mentoring Programme and the Equine Dental Clinic join us for what will be such a thought-provoking and insightful docuseries.
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