Equine Back Biomechanics in Ridden and Unridden Horses
Sunday 17th May 2026 @ 14:00 HRS BST
Equine Back Biomechanics in Ridden and Unridden Horses with Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire
This 2-hour course will discuss the vital role of the equine back in movement, performance, and overall welfare. As the central structure linking the horse’s body, the spine is fundamental to efficient locomotion, balance, and the ability to carry a rider.
Dysfunction within the back can negatively affect performance, behaviour, and long-term soundness, making a thorough understanding essential for riders, trainers, and equine professionals.
Delivered through an evidence-based approach, this session explores:
- The function and kinematics of the equine back
- The relationship between limb and back movement
- Common back-related dysfunctions
- How loading the back, and the saddle and rider influence spinal movement
Back kinematics will be discussed across a range of exercise conditions, including straight-line and circular locomotion, as well as with and without a rider, to highlight how ridden exercise and tack infleunce back kinematics.
Participants will develop an understanding of back movement and how these adapt under the influence of load, the saddle, rider, and during unridden locomotion.
CPD certifcates
12-month video access
Q and A
Dr. Russell MacKechnie-Guire
Russell MacKechnie-Guire graduated from Warwickshire College in 2006 with a BSc (Hons) in Equine and Human Sports Science and now holds a PhD in Equine Biomechanics, graduating from the Royal Veterinary College in 2019. Russell’s thesis was titled ‘The Relationship between Saddle and Rider Kinematics, Equine Locomotion, and Thoracolumbar Pressures in Sports Horses’. Russell is based at Centaur Biomechanics, a company which he founded in 2006. He has extensively researched the effect that tack (saddle, bridle and girth) has on equine health and performance. Russell’s current area of research is horse-saddle-rider interaction, spinal kinematics in horses when ridden over ground and the effect that rider asymmetry has on equine back movement. In addition, Russell collaborates with researchers from around the world on various research projects associated with equine health and performance. He regularly presents his work at international meetings throughout the world and is a consultant for the British Equestrian Federations World Class, Team GBR programme. Russell is a member of the Team GBR’s Scientific Advisory Group, Society of Master Saddlers Scientific Advisory Group and chairs the horse+rider subgroup, part of the International Task force on Laterality in Sports Horses.
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