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Each part of the locomotor apparatus plays a distinct and different role in locomotion. The horse’s trunk is the central part that unites and coordinates the haunches with the forehand. In addition to transmitting propulsion forward from the hind limbs, the trunk supports the body organs and carries the rider’s weight. In my previous post, we looked at how the different body parts work together to produce the horse’s extraordinary athletic prowess.Diving into the biomechanics of a horse a …

Winston Churchill said, “There is something about the outside of a horse that is good for the inside of a man.”While appreciating the outer beauty of horses, I’ve always been fascinated by what’s on the inside, and, having studied athletic horses for almost 50 years as a veterinarian, researcher, and rider, I’ve learned that the inside of a horse is a marvel of structural and functional design that has produced an extraordinary athlete. In this blog, I’ll share some insights about the ath …

For almost 50 years Dr. Hilary M. Clayton has performed innovative research in the areas of equine biomechanics, lameness, rehabilitation, athletic conditioning, and the interaction between rider, tack and horse. She has published 7 books and numerous papers in scientific journals and articles in equestrian publications on these topics. Since retiring from academia in 2014, she has continued to perform collaborative research with colleagues from around the world and to provide educational …