Visual Companion for In It for the Horses
Since In It for the Horses made its way into the world, I've been blown away by your responses. The messages, reviews, and conversations have been overwhelmingly positive—and honestly, deeply encouraging. Thank you for that.
You've been asking for more stories, more photos, more illustrations, and more of what didn't make it into the book.
So here it is.
When I first wrote In It for the Horses, the manuscript was full of illustrations. I'm an artist, after all—but as the book developed, we made the tough call to go text-only and let the words standalone. It was the right decision for the book, but I've been holding onto those sketches, diagrams, and photos ever since.
This section is part scrapbook, part archive, part ongoing conversation. It's where I share the illustrations that got left behind, introduce the horses who shaped my journey, the lessons I'm still learning, and the discoveries I want to pass along.
Some of these pages will feel familiar if you've read In It for the Horses. Others will introduce you to moments and teachers you haven't met yet.
This collection will grow over time as I add new illustrations, unearth memories from the archives, and respond to your questions.
Got a request? Let me know. Chances are, I've got exactly what you're looking for. 💚
You've been asking for more stories, more photos, more illustrations, and more of what didn't make it into the book.
So here it is.
When I first wrote In It for the Horses, the manuscript was full of illustrations. I'm an artist, after all—but as the book developed, we made the tough call to go text-only and let the words standalone. It was the right decision for the book, but I've been holding onto those sketches, diagrams, and photos ever since.
This section is part scrapbook, part archive, part ongoing conversation. It's where I share the illustrations that got left behind, introduce the horses who shaped my journey, the lessons I'm still learning, and the discoveries I want to pass along.
Some of these pages will feel familiar if you've read In It for the Horses. Others will introduce you to moments and teachers you haven't met yet.
This collection will grow over time as I add new illustrations, unearth memories from the archives, and respond to your questions.
Got a request? Let me know. Chances are, I've got exactly what you're looking for. 💚
Visual Companion Table of Contents
Parts of the Horse. Begin your journey of learning how to speak horse
Dem Bones. Illustrations to help you see bones when you look at a horse.
Dem Bones. Illustrations to help you see bones when you look at a horse.
Parts of the HorseFor readers new to horses (or just rusty on anatomy), here's a reference guide to the parts of the horse mentioned throughout the book. Now when I talk about withers, polls, or hocks, you'll know exactly where I mean.
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Dem Bones
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Years ago, I came across a magazine article that displayed horse and human skeletons side by side. I sat there staring at it for way too long, tracing the connections, and it fundamentally shifted how I understand equine movement and bodywork.
This drawing is my attempt to capture what clicked for me that day. Here's what fascinates me most: Horses don't have collarbones. Their entire chest is suspended between their forelegs by a structure called the thoracic sling —a complex network of muscles, tendons, and ligaments. No bone. |
Just soft tissue holding thousands of pounds in dynamic balance. Think about that next time you see a horse.
And then there are the parallels:
Take a moment and explore the drawing. What other similarities can you find? |
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We see Granite again, showing us where the bones are in his body as he lifts himself out of the mud.
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Breyer "Anatomy in Motion" – A Teaching Treasure Worth Finding
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If you ever come across this beauty at a thrift store, grab it! Breyer only produced this "Anatomy in Motion" model from 2005–2008, and it's now a hot collector's item. I saw one on eBay listed for $300!
One side shows the muscular system, the other shows the skeleton—making it perfect for understanding how everything works together when a horse moves. I love mine. You'll love yours if you find one. Happy hunting! |
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