According to the old school Fascia is considered a simple network of tissue that keeps the equine organs in place. But that is an understatement, to put it mildly. This soft, and seemingly fragile tissue plays a vital role in the quality of dynamic movement and the transfer of energy throughout the horse’s body. Today’s guest is veterinarian and anatomist Ivana Ruddock. She is one of the most interesting clinicians I have ever met and her insight and understanding of the equine anatomy is simply mind-blowing. I learned more from three days with her than two years in school. Her clinic whole horse dissection is an eye-opener and in many ways also a game changer. I will never again settle with a conclusion that there is nothing physically wrong with a horse that shows conflict behaviour or act out. Because we will never be able to know for sure.
As a species, the horse is blessed or cursed with a cooperative temperament and a power that we have enjoyed for thousands of years. A joy that has not always been mutual. And now, having seen man’s most important friend on the dissection table, perhaps the most important thing I am left with is an enormous humility towards what horses have given us throughout history. How complex and unique each and every individual is.