Dr Russell MacKechnie-Guire, BSc (Hons), PhD, FHEA, BHSI
Dr. Russell MacKechnie-Guire is a leading figure in equine biomechanics, combining academic expertise with real-world equestrian experience. He is an Associate Professor at Hartpury University, where he contributes to research and teaching in the field of equine performance and health.
Russell graduated from Warwickshire College in 2006 with a BSc (Hons) in Equine and Human Sports Science, and gained his PhD in Equine Biomechanics from the Royal Veterinary College in 2019. His doctoral research, “The Relationship between Saddle and Rider Kinematics, Equine Locomotion, and Thoracolumbar Pressures in Sports Horses,” focused on the complex interactions between horse, rider, and tack.
Founder of Centaur Biomechanics (2006), Russell has extensively researched how saddle fit, bridle design, and girth configuration affect equine welfare and performance. His current research focuses on the horse-saddle-rider interface, spinal kinematics during ridden work, and the effects of rider asymmetry on the equine back.
In addition to his academic and research credentials, Russell is a qualified BHSI coach and Pilates instructor, bringing a unique rider-focused perspective to his work on symmetry, posture, and core stability. He is also an active dressage competitor, further grounding his scientific insights in practical riding experience.
Russell regularly presents at international conferences, collaborates with researchers globally, and consults for the British Equestrian Federation’s World Class Programme (Team GBR). He is a member of the Team GBR Scientific Advisory Group, the Society of Master Saddlers Scientific Advisory Group, and chairs the Horse+Rider Subgroupwithin the International Task Force on Laterality in Sports Horses.