Equine Biomechanics and Other Interesting Stories

The course with Gillian Higgins was excellent. Many topics were covered which ranged from bones to muscles, conformation to asymmetrical riders and horses and then to top it all off a bit of history about the army. It is here I might add that the course was situated in the Animal Defence Centre, Melton Mowbray. This is where the Kings Troop's horses come for their vacation where they either get turned away or hunt for the winter season. Also the army's farriers perform most of their training here to become a farrier. On our tour around the centre we were told that the horses take the rank of their mount, so for example if the solider was a corporal, the horse would be a corporal and if the solider was a sergeant the horse would be a sergeant. Another interesting fact is a tradition that has lasted since Napoleonic times. It is said that in the battles, soldiers used to tell their superiors that their horses had died (even though their horses were still alive) just so they could receive money to buy another horse. So to stop this fraud a new rule was passed that if your horse died in battle, you must remove the feet with an ax, therefore proving to the superiors that your horse had actually died. Still to this day if an army horse dies, the legs are removed from the knee down and kept for veterinary specimens. In a ceremonial  march, if you glance at the back you, will still see a solider carrying double headed ax, one with an ax head and one with a spike. The spike for killing the horse in battle (like they used to do in Napoleonic times if the horse was seriously injured) and the ax for removing the feet. It is just amazing the traditions that we hold and truly fascinating.

'Biomechanics' course with 'Horses Inside Out'

On the 10th and 11th of September I will be attending Gillian Higgins's 'Biomechanics' course in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. The course will cover the horse's anatomy, tendons and ligaments, posture, strength and suppleness and how an asymmetrical rider can affect the horse's way of going.

What makes this course so special is that the skeletal and muscular frame will actually be painted onto the horse which will show how the muscles and bones work together.

I am really looking forward to the course and will let you know how I get on!