04/20/2026
‼️Trigger warning on graphic pictures from the dissection‼️
I’m finally able to sit down and process and write out the key takeaways from this past dissection. Not only did I learn so much about the horse and their inner workings, but I also found myself in a room full of formidable women, each of whom I learned from through their kindness, grace, and depth of knowledge.
Here are my 7 key takeaways from a weekend I will never forget.
1. Fascia is EVERYWHERE. When someone says “it’s all connected,” it’s because it truly is and that connection happens largely through fascia. Fascia plays a critical role in communication between muscles and soft tissue, and it can also be the structure behind a cascade of dysfunction. Something that starts in the neck, for example, can begin influencing the hind end and everything in between. It’s equal parts fascinating, infuriating, and almost magical in how interconnected it all is.
2. The hind end muscles are massive and boy are they heavy! That might sound obvious, but physically holding even a portion of a single muscle really drives it home. When you look at the hind end in functional terms, the pelvis is a large bony structure with significant forces acting on it. There’s substantial weight and pressure pushing down and inward, with relatively less structural support pushing outward, especially when you factor in the dynamic forces created through movement and engagement of those large muscle groups. Altogether, it’s an incredible amount of force being managed through that framework.
Something Becks is currently studying is focused around pelvic dysfunction and her knowledge really expanded my understanding of just how complex and influential the hind end is.
3. The front leg really is just “holding on for dear life” (not literally, but functionally). Horses don’t have a bony attachment between the front limb and the rest of the body, it’s suspended entirely through soft tissue connections, with fascia and muscular support making up the thoracic sling. I understood this concept before, but seeing it firsthand and being able to visually see how the thoracic sling functions added a completely new layer of understanding.
4. The body can adapt in order to function better. Critter’s body was a clear testament to that. He had a significant amount of dysfunction present, yet his body had adapted in ways that allowed him to continue functioning and compensating over time.
For example, he had kissing spines in the T14–T18 region, where some of the dorsal spinous processes (DSPs) had begun to tilt laterally to create more space. In some cases, DSPs may even be influenced or recruited in a way that shifts their functional role more toward stabilization and support, depending on the demands placed on the body.
On top of that, Critter had likely experienced a rotational fall earlier in life, which resulted in visible trauma to the spleen that had since healed but created a kind of crater. Adhesions were also very present throughout his body, forming as a means of stabilization. It is essentially the body’s way of creating additional support in areas under strain or previous injury.
It’s still a concept I’m wrapping my head around, but it really highlighted just how remarkable the body is, and how much adaptation can occur over the course of a lifetime.
5. The anatomy and physiology of the horse is still very much being researched. I was in a room full of top professionals, people who have dedicated years of their lives to studying equine biomechanics and anatomy, and was still met with a lot of “I don’t knows.” And honestly, it was incredibly humbling and deeply appreciated.
Many of these women are actively invested in continuing to learn, dig deeper, and expand our understanding in hopes of eventually answering those unknowns. I have a great deal of respect for educators and professionals who are willing to openly acknowledge what we don’t yet understand, while still being motivated enough to keep searching for answers.
6. Collaboration over competition, every day. I really witnessed how powerful and beautiful collaboration can be. Many women shared their experiences openly, and others offered insight, perspective, and support in return. Sometimes it wasn’t even directly about horses, but about the realities of running a business and navigating the industry as a whole.
Everyone at this dissection was incredibly uplifting and willing to share knowledge, troubleshoot difficult cases, and support one another without hesitation. It was a reminder that the horse community can’t continue to grow in a meaningful, positive way if we remain in a constant state of competition.
Collaboration is what moves things forward and this weekend made that unmistakably clear.
7. Horses are one of the most forgiving animals. They can carry far more pain and dysfunction than we are often aware of, while still continuing to show up and try. Critter was a clear example of this because despite significant underlying issues, he remained the sweetest gentleman.
As prey animals, horses are wired to stay stoic and mask vulnerability for survival. Because of that, when they suddenly become more reactive, “aggressive,” or labeled as “naughty,” it is often not attitude, it is communication, and frequently a response to discomfort or pain. Behavior is their only language, and when subtler signals aren’t recognized or understood, that communication can escalate into something louder.
If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: listen to your horse. They don’t operate from ego, and they don’t understand concepts like “being an asshole” or “respect” in the way humans often project onto them. They are simply trying to communicate what is happening in their body the only way they can.
I want to thank Ciara Crawford of Sozo Equine, LLC for her bravery and vulnerability. It takes immense strength to share such a personal part of your life and work in this way, and it’s truly inspired me to consider doing the same with my own horses one day. You handled everything with such grace, gentleness, and care.
I also want to thank Critter for living with such forgiveness and softness, even when he didn’t have to, and for allowing us the opportunity to learn from his life. As Becks Nairn said, “there’s no reason for a horse to take their secrets to the grave.” Thank you for sharing those secrets with us. ❤️
