Living Anatomy of the Horse

05/06/2026

🌸If you're looking for a graphic designer with a rare talent for understanding the heart of a project and turning it into something that truly connects with people, I can wholeheartedly recommend Sarah. Sarah designed my website and every advertising poster for my educational projects over the years, and she has always exceeded my expectations.🌸

Hi and welcome to all the new faces who’ve followed me for the ride recently 🤍

If you’re new here, I thought I’d share a little about the story behind Snaffle Design.

When used correctly, a snaffle bit is one of the softest and most refined forms of communication between horse and rider. It’s subtle, skilful, and built on connection and understanding rather than force.

That’s always felt a lot like good design to me.

I started Snaffle Design because I love helping businesses communicate who they are in a way that feels genuine, thoughtful, and beautifully put together whether that’s through branding, print, web, or social media.

I’m Sarah — a qualified graphic designer, equestrian enthusiast, and most importantly, a mum to two beautiful little tots and I’m so glad you’re here.

Thank you for following along and supporting this little business of mine 🤍

29/05/2026

🐴Modern science reveals that horses remember emotions, synchronize physiologically with trusted people, and form genuine emotional bonds built on safety, consistency, and trust🐴

21/05/2026

🐴Another inspiring CPD course led by Dr. med. vet. Elke Kurz (Equine Osteotherapist DIPO, Chiropractor IAVC, Acupuncture Xie Institute Florida, Trainer A FN, Masters in Training, Breeding & Care), this time on Gua Sha, which is a treatment method originating from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), used to address energy stagnation as well as myofascial adhesions and restrictions. A fantastic group of equine physiotherapists sharing valuable discussions, perspectives, and experiences! I feel very grateful to continue learning in such a supportive and professional environment at the DIPO Deutsches Institut für Pferde-Osteopathie🐴

17/05/2026

❤🐎An absolute fantastic intense CPD seminar "Rehabilitation & Training Theory", led by Dr Claudine Anen (DVM, FTA, Equine Osteo-& Physiotherapist DIPO and Certified Equine Rehabilitation Practitioner CERP), who shared her wealth of expertise with fellow therapists and veterinarians, working in the reality of rehabilitation & prehab. The discussions reinforced of what I encounter in my practice, some cases are complex and no two horses, injuries and healing processes are ever the same. Rehab not always comes with simple answers or perfect outcomes at the end. However, horses can improve, adapt, function, and still enjoy a good quality of life. I am very grateful to continue my professional development at the DIPO Deutsches Institut für Pferde-Osteopathie alongside such experienced and thoughtful professionals. Being able to learn in this environment helps me stay self-critical, keep developing my clinical reasoning, and support your horses and you as owners as best I can🐎❤

10/05/2026

🌸Flying out tomorrow for my annual trip to Germany . Never easy leaving home, especially with Tyson still rehabbing his DDFT injury.
But feeling excited and grateful for time with my Mama, catching up with dear close friends and CPDs at my educational base DIPO. You all stay warm and hopefully it'll be a few dry sunny weeks here in New Zealand❤️🌸

23/04/2026

A glorious warm day today with the Dental Vet; Equine vet practice for dental health and surgery dream team Marieke and Racheal🌟 Spot had x-rays for a suspected pulp exposure (thankfully all clear), and Tinks enjoyed a post-dental brush-up with Rachael🦄 Feeling so grateful for having such knowledgeable, caring humans looking after my horses’ dental health😍

11/04/2026

🐴I don’t often share or promote individuals, but this is one I genuinely feel is worth your time. Being a bit of an anatomy nerd myself, Equine Anatomy in Layers (Ivana Ruddock, veterinarian, author, and bodyworker based in NZ) is someone I love learning from. I’ve also had the chance to connect with her personally, which makes me appreciate her work even more. She invites you to look closer, think critical, and stay curious about the horse as it is. If this way of looking at the horse resonates with you, her work is well worth exploring🐴

Welcome, new followers, hello, visitors!

Let me introduce my work - and my passion!
Over the years, my work has taken one clear direction —
to show the horse’s body as it really is, not just as we imagine it from diagrams.

To make this accessible, I structured it into three connected parts.

The Atlas of the Equine Musculoskeletal System is the foundation.
A visual reference built from real dissections, where you can study structures as they actually appear — not simplified, not idealised.
https://ivanaruddock-lange.com/equine-anatomy-2nd-edition-online-book/

For those who want to understand more deeply, the Equine Anatomy in Layers online class goes further.
We look under the skin, layer by layer, to see relationships, continuity, and the reality that shapes how the body functions.
https://ivanaruddock.podia.com/the-equine-anatomy-in-layers

And then there is Patreon.
This is where the work continues — ongoing dissections, small details, connections, sometimes also questions and hypotheses that come from what I see in the body.
https://www.patreon.com/equineanatomyinlayers

I am a great believer that if we base our work on what is truly in the body, it gives us a different level of understanding — and that reflects in how we work with the horse.

If this way of looking at anatomy speaks to you, you are very welcome to explore further.

20/03/2026

08/03/2026

"If we know better, are we doing better?” I'm looking forward to this conversation with Dr Natalie Waran on what putting the horse first really means

Spots are filling!
Register for our new webinar on our website now.

02/03/2026

🐴During my recent talk on Equine Bodywork, I was asked: “𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘢 𝘭𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮𝘴?”⁣ The answer is: 𝘠𝘦𝘴, 𝘐 𝘥𝘰.⁣ But what we call a “problem” is often a reflection of just how incredibly complex the horse is. In practice, it is rarely one issue, it is the whole system interacting, physically & mentally, constantly adapting.⁣⁣
⁣The quote captures that perspective beautifully. The photo and words are shared with my appreciation for Equine Anatomy in Layers by Ivana Ruddock. She is a veterinarian, dissectionist, bodyworker & book author and one of the most knowledgeable and humble people I know personally. If you want to deepen your understanding of anatomical connectivity, I can highly recommend her FB / Patreon page. It’s a rare resource🐴⁣⁣
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