See Your Horse Like Never Before
The Book That Paints Anatomy Directly Onto Living Horses
"Finally a book where you can learn how your horse ticks - inside out - and it is easy to understand and fun to read. A must for every serious equestrian." - Dr. W. Bechtolsheimer
The Revolutionary Approach That Changes Everything
Imagine understanding exactly what's happening inside your horse's body while watching them move, not through dry textbook diagrams, but by seeing the actual muscles, bones, and organs painted directly onto living horses in stunning, full-colour detail.
That's the groundbreaking approach that made Gillian Higgins a world-renowned equine anatomist, and it's exactly what makes "Horse Anatomy for Performance" unlike any horse book you've ever encountered.
During our interview with Gillian, she revealed how her signature technique of painting anatomical systems directly onto live horses revolutionised how riders, trainers, and therapists understand equine movement and performance.
Who Desperately Needs This Book (And Who's Wasting Their Time)
Perfect For:
Performance riders whose horses hit training plateaus they can't explain
Horse owners tired of guessing why their horse moves the way they do
Anyone who's ever wondered "What's actually happening inside my horse?"
Trainers and therapists who want to explain anatomy in ways clients can actually understand
Skip This If:
You think anatomy is "too academic" for practical horsemanship
You're satisfied with basic "horse care 101" information
You only care about results, not understanding the "why" behind them
What Makes This Book a Game-Changer
This isn't your typical anatomy textbook. "Horse Anatomy for Performance examines the anatomy of the 11 systems of the horse and explains how anatomy influences the way we manage, ride and train our horses" - from the publisher's description. Illustrated with attractive and informative paintings and diagrams, this book clearly explains the importance, relevance and interaction between each of the anatomical systems.
The Inside-Out Revolution
"Gillian Higgins turns her trademark technique of painting internal diagrams directly onto live horses to show how all the systems work, and work together, to influence performance and reduce the risk of injury" - according to the book's official description.
The result? You can finally see what you've only imagined, how the cardiovascular system supports athletic performance, how the digestive system affects behaviour, how the musculoskeletal system creates the power you feel beneath you.
The Woman Behind the Paint Brush
During our interview, Gillian's passion for making anatomy accessible was immediately apparent. As an equine anatomist, biomechanist, BHS Senior Coach, professional Sports and Remedial Therapist and author with a first class honours degree in Equine Science and Business Management, she founded Horses Inside Out in 2006, as detailed in her official biography.
But what struck us most wasn't her impressive credentials—it was her unwavering commitment to one principle: understanding anatomy should improve every horse's life, not just impress other academics.
Painted Anatomy: How Gillian Higgins Reveals the Inner Workings of Horses
Gillian Higgins is revolutionizing how we understand horses - painting anatomical structures directly onto living horses to reveal what's happening beneath the skin. As founder of Horses Inside Out, she combines her passions for horses, anatomy, and art to educate equestrians about how understanding a horse's internal structures can improve their health, performance, and well-being.
From Dissection Lab to Living Canvas
As documented in her course materials, Gillian has performed extensive dissection studies, the photographs and footage of which are included in this course. She has also developed a number of anatomical models, including one illustrating the anatomy of the head pertinent to bridle fit and design.
This hands-on expertise translates into a book that bridges the gap between complex scientific knowledge and practical application.
Why This Book Transforms Performance
Anatomy isn't just academic, it's the foundation of everything. Understanding how your horse's body works influences:
Training decisions (Why certain exercises work better than others)
Management choices (Why some feeding schedules support performance while others hinder it)
Problem-solving (Why your horse resists certain movements)
Injury prevention (How to spot compensation patterns before they become problems)
"Divided into 12 chapters, Horse Anatomy for Performance combines high-quality photographs and intricate paintings with top tips and fascinating facts to provide a practical and useful guide to horse anatomy" - from the book's official description.
What Readers Are Saying
"I've taught Human Anatomy & Physiology for years, and this is the 1st year I'm teaching a comparative anatomy class. I bought this one for reference, but am so very impressed that I'm recommending it to all my students." - College Professor
"This is the best book about horses I read in a long time and I do read a lot of books about horses!" - Horse Owner
"The illustrations in this book bring to life the various systems of the horse. I found it a source of illuminating information and it helped me to pass my Equine Biomechanics module with distinction." - Student
Beyond the Book: Gillian's Ongoing Mission
In our conversation, Gillian shared how this work extends far beyond just one book. As stated on the Horses Inside Out website, based on the latest scientific research and using live painted horses and slow motion video, Gillian, who is now recognised worldwide, runs conferences and courses for both horse owners and professionals, on-line and in person in anatomy, biomechanics, assessing movement, massage and stretching.
Her Horses Inside Out organisation continues pushing boundaries, making complex anatomical knowledge accessible to everyone from weekend riders to Olympic competitors.
The Visual Learning Revolution
This book is a sequel to How Your Horse Moves by Gillian Higgins; together, the books provide a comprehensive guide to horse anatomy in action. This approach is revolutionary for visual learners tired of dense textbooks. Instead of trying to memorise abstract diagrams, you see anatomy in living colour on actual horses.
Get Your Copy Today
Stop guessing about what's happening inside your horse. Whether you're troubleshooting performance issues, preventing injuries, or want to deepen your understanding of these incredible athletes, this book gives you the foundation every serious equestrian needs.
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Featuring the 11 Systems of the Horse in Living Color
As explained in the book's description, the horse's body can be organised into 11 complex interrelated systems that function efficiently to maintain life. Divided into 11 chapters, the book explains the importance and relevance of each anatomical system.
Every system is illustrated with high quality photographs and intricate paintings that bring anatomy to life in ways traditional textbooks simply cannot match.
More from Gillian's Revolutionary Approach
Want to dive deeper into equine biomechanics? Explore Gillian's complete collection at Horses Inside Out where she continues breaking down the barriers between complex science and practical horsemanship.
More Books That Challenge How You See Horses
Looking for more authors who revolutionise equestrian understanding? Browse my complete collection of curated equestrian books featuring experts who prioritise horse welfare through deeper knowledge.
Each recommendation comes with insights from my personal conversations with the authors themselves.
Have you read "Horse Anatomy for Performance"? What anatomical insight changed how you ride or train? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
*Information compiled from publicly available sources including author websites, publisher descriptions, promotional materials and our own interview with Gillian.