Horses: Inside Out!

Painted horses are ‘mane’ attraction for anatomy students...

With 205 bones and 700 muscles the horse is a challenging animal for anatomy students to study.

That was until champion rider Gillian Higgins came up with the novel idea of showing people how it all works.

Rather than bog them down with dusty diagrams and skeletal sketches, she hit upon the idea of painting the inner workings of the horse on the beast itself.



Gillian Higgins shows-off her anatomical study on thirteen-year- old Kiitos ahead of a lecture on equine anatomy

Now veterinary students, race horse trainers, eventers, pony club members and dressage judges are flocking to her lectures to see the horse painting in action.

Ms Higgins uses water-based hypoallergenic paints which are easy to wash off afterwards. She takes four hours to apply the equine make-up - painting the skeletal structure on one side and the multi-coloured musculature on the other.

'Painting the skeleton and musculature on the side of the horse really helps to bring the subject to life,' she says.

'You can discover how to get the best out of your horse by seeing exactly what happens as it moves.'



The champion rider Gillian Higgins paints the flexor muscle chain on one side of the horse

Gillian, 27, a sports remedial therapist, from Nottingham, first hit on the idea three years ago after completing a degree in equine business management at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

She said: 'I realized that many riders and trainers could benefit from a better understanding of how the horse works. With all those bones and muscles with incredibly long names, it can be a bit much to take it all in.

'I'm trying to show the anatomy and how the horse works in an interesting and easy to understand way.

'I started gradually with a bit of paint but then became more and more in demand. Now I go all over the country from Cornwall to Inverness and I'm soon flying off to South Africa to give a demonstration there.'



A horse has 205 bones and 700 muscles. Painting a steed helps students remember which one is where

Normally her models are her 12 year old eventer Freddie Fox or six year old Henry - although if she travels further afield from home she relies on schools and colleges to provide a steed for her. Greys are best because the colours show up more clearly.

Gillian, who won a gold medal at the student riders nations cup in 2006, said: 'Freddie Fox is the best model because he has just the right temperament and loves to be the centre of attention at the demonstrations. Being painted isn't much different for them as being groomed or handled. They don't mind at all.

'The worst thing that has ever happened was when a horse that had not minded being painted in the slightest, then had to go into an arena in front of 150 people. He got a bit spooked up by the crowd and was jumping around and became a little bit too much.'

For more information and details of Gillian's book and DVD,
How Your Horse Moves visit: www.horsesinsideout.com

November's Meeting

It wasn't cold at all, Really!!!

Our Wranglers came out regardless of the winter day we that last Sunday in November - yes they are troopers and this just shows you what it means to be a horseman - you ride as long as the skies permit because you are dedicated to your horses, your riding and to your learning! Well done!

Wrangler Trey started us off as he lead us in our Pledge Allegiance followed by his mom, Miss Connie who lead us in our 4-H Pledge - this is the header to our blog, so get familiar with it as we may call on you next to lead us next time! We all brought each other up to date with what we have been working on since last we met and we even welcomed three new members, Isabell, Trevor and Justin!

We wanted to express our thanks to the Cummings boys who helped set up all the poles for the Trail course, you boys were great help! Big thanks goes to our rock'in 4-H parents Miss Connie, Mr. Grant and Mr. Richard who came out and helped not only set up the trail course, but instructed and helped the wranglers through the obstacles - we had pole crossing, gate opening/closing, backing between poles, bridge crossing, and even log pulling. This gives the horses good mind exercise and coordination. A special thanks to Mr. Henry for coming out and being part of the day as he tirelessly guided our kids and their horses over the bridge obstacle, and gave some professional safety advice on how to tie a rope to ones saddle. And last but not least To Miss Susan and her son Dillon for bringing hot refreshments and snacks for our hard working wranglers!




My partner in camera crime - Thank you Miss Mary!

Memorial Arena Dedication & 4-H Ranch Rodeo

On Sunday October 18th under a brilliant blue sky we dedicated our arena at the Crossed Arrows Ranch the "Chad Winters Memorial Arena”. The crisp autumn day was perfect for family, friends and fun and what we plan to be our first annual Chad Winters Memorial 4-H Ranch Rodeo. With our very own Santa Fe County Sheriffs Posse under the command of Col. Jim Adams greeting and directing arrivals at the front gate the trailers were unloaded and a festive mood filled the air.
With 4-H kids and their families from all over the county and even a 4-H friend who came down from Colfax County we tacked up and stood quietly while one of our young cowboys Trey Mitchell led us in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Santa Fe County Fair Queen and senior Wrangler member Erica Garcia who led us in the 4-H pledge. Bonanza Creek Ranch Manager Steve Price then led us all in a moment of reflection and quiet prayer asking for safe passage for all who traveled here today and for blessings and safety for the contestants. Wrangler leaders Rick Iannucci and Miss Nancy De Santis then spoke briefly about our journey with the club and the arena and the impact that Chad had on all of our lives. Chads sister Brandy then spoke beautifully for the Winters family thanking everyone for being part of such a wonderful event and keeping Chad's memory alive.
Mr. Clint Mortenson of the famous Mortenson’s Silver and Saddles and proud Wrangler parent then joined Rick and Nancy and presented a commemorative buckle and bracelet he designed and made especially for Chad's parents Wayne and Elena Winters respectively. Miss Elena spoke briefly thanking all of us for remembering Chad and for this special day.
With the presentations completed Chef Michael Easton of La Lucciola Supper Club who volunteered his services for the day summoned the dinner bell and several hundred of us feasted on home made enchiladas courtesy of Dean, Cynthia and Emily Alexis of Tortilla Flats fame, as well as Peggy Schnapp’s home made green chile chicken stew, mountains of pastries and cookies from Laura Moore and Chocolate Maven, donuts galore from Kip’s and Angela Flores and all washed down with soft drinks and Dasani water courtesy of Coca Cola of Santa Fe and kept cold with ice courtesy of the Lone Butte General Store.
Too wound up to eat much, National Versatility Ranch Horse Association 2009 Champion and another proud Wrangler mom Miss Diane Clare and Mr. Clint Mortenson along with Senior 4-H’r Mr. Clayton Runner pushed Mr. Henry McKinley and Mr.Steve Price’s cows into the sorting pens assembled by construction wiz Mr. Bobby Borrego. With the assistance of Wrangler parents Mr. Mark Hermeling, Mr. Grant Mitchell, Mr. Richard Stump and Mr. Joseph Salazar we began our Ranch Rodeo with the Ranch Sorting. This and ALL of our events were done in teams in keeping with the Working Ranch Rodeo events traditions. In order for our Cloverbuds and others 4-H ‘rs who were not mounted our events were designed with a “ground crew” component. The ground crew’s worked in harmony with their mounted team mates and proved their worth during the branding and sorting chute event! Other events were the simultaneous team pole bending and flag in a bucket races where 4-H’rs had a chance to show their horsemanship and their athleticism in simulated ranch tasks.
From her perch atop Mr. Rick’s pickup truck Miss Diane signaled to Mr. Clint on horseback at the end of the arena that the last team had completed their event and now were ready to present some well deserved prizes courtesy of San Marcos Feed Store and Mr. Greg Gillespie‘s Feed Bin signaling the successful completion of our 2009 CHAD WINTERS MEMORIAL 4-H RANCH RODEO!
Congratulations to all our contestants who truly exemplified team work, leadership, and camaraderie in the finest tradition of Ranch Rodeo and 4-H. You all are champions!!!
Special thanks goes to Mrs. Susan Murphy who donated the EZ Up tent so we could all eat food without dirt in it. Yeah Mrs. Murphy. Thanks also to our good friend and Eaves Movie Ranch Manager Mr. Thomas Wingate for the loan of tables and chairs. To Ralph and Sally Greenwood for loaning us their EZ Up as well. To Mr. Dick Kimberly for the loan of our flags and PA system and more! Thanks also to our County 4-H agents Miss Jackie Baca and Miss Christina Turner for loaning us stopwatches and making the contestant numbers, and to Frank and Linda Romero at L & L for taking care of our powder rooms. Finally a very special thanks to Manny Mauri and our good friends at the Denver Police Department for their tremendous job of laser cutting, welding and fabrication of the metal sign that hangs proudly above our gate way arena entrance, and to Greg Gillespie and the gang at Ranchway in Fort Collins, CO for transporting it down from Denver with tender loving care. Thank you all, we could not have done it all without you!!!
Happy Trails!

Below are images from our Dedication Event courtesy of Miss Nancy De Santis and our great friend Mr. Bill Manns.

- Click on Images For Larger View...