UPCOMING EVENTS
COURSE OVERVIEW
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
‘‘Simplicity is the greatest achievement of knowledge but simplicity without knowledge is the greatest cause of equine injuries’’ (Cornille, 2021)
Have you always wanted to learn from the horse ‘’inside-out’’ and the form to function principle? From October 17-19, 2025, the renowned team of Equinestudies will travel to South Africa for the unique experience of a 3-day Dual Whole Horse Dissection.
INTRODUCTION
The horse is a fascinating being. As horse lovers, we all want our horses to feel as good as possible and perform without limitations. We can build a lifelong partnership in true harmony with a creature thatis so majestic and powerful. At the same time, the journey can be complex as a horse can’t speak our human language and they can suffer from injuries or physical limitations. For that reason, we would sometimes like to look through the horse's skin to really understand how the horse works from the inside. That is now possible!
Through a dissection, every part of the horse’s body is explored layer-by-layer by our team of equine anatomists, scientists, and veterinarians, and you will be able to get a full comparative picture of both horses.
This dissection is a must for ANYONE involved in horses some way as it allows you to understand howthey are built, function and what they need to live a healthy happy life as well as optimize performance. The dissection will have a very interactive character where you can observe, learn, palpate, ask questions, and perform biomechanical practicums. You are involved in the process and not just a mere bystander.
Scroll down for all the necessary information of this unique experience that will change the way you look at horse forever.
COURSE OVERVIEW
FORMAT
During this course you’ll make a journey through the life stories of two different horses. The facts will be unraveled before your eyes. What are the similarities? What are the differences? What anatomical differences serve what function? How do the differences in performance load affect the body? What can we learn from comparing these beautiful creatures?
Under the experienced guidance of the team of Equinestudies you’ll be investigating the different layers of the horse’s body, how they function separately and how it’s intertwined with the whole body at the same time. At the same time, the latest scientific research will be presented to you.
We will discover anatomy as well as discuss any presenting pathology. Of both horses, a full blood panel will be taken and analyzed before death.
Available diagnostics will also be discussed. During the dissection, abnormal tissue samples of relevance will be sent to a pathology lab for investigation so that you get a full insight into diagnostics and diagnosis of any pathology that we might find.
The dissection will take place in our equine medical facility in Cape Town, South Africa. It is a live dissection for a limited number of participants. The complete dissection will take a full 3 days, with coffee and lunch breaks in between. This experience will be very interactive with plenty of question time in between.
You can join this dissection enjoying the following benefits:
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Live experience with possibility to palpate
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Isolated environment for optimal learning
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Comparative perspective (two horses)
TEAM & PRESENTERS
The team of Equinestudies has more than 8 years’ experience of dissecting horses (and other Equidae species including zebra) worldwide with an average of 10 whole horse dissections a year. The full team will consist of:
T. Hendriks MSc (Dissector & Equine Researcher, Netherlands)
Z. Vermeulen (Dissector & Equine Researcher, The Netherlands)
A. Schuiten (Dissector & Hoofspecialist), Belgium)
Dr. S. Claassen BVSC MMED VET (Equine Veterinarian, South Africa)
Additional:
Local pathologists (all tissue samples will be sent for lab analysis
for official diagnosis).
COURSE DETAILS
PROGRAM & INVESTMENT
For 3 days, we will tackle different parts of the body layer-by-layer and compare findings of both horses.
Day 1 we will study the head, parts of the neck, the shoulder, the front limb, and the digestive system.
Day 2 we will study the deep layers of the neck, shoulder, front limb, and hoof.
We will also perform an exercise showing the effects of the bit and different bridles, including a bit less bridle,
on the hind end and back. We will also start with the organs and the beginning of the back.
Day 3 we will study the organs (including heart andlungs), hyoid, brain, theback, the hind quarter, andhind limbs.
Subjects in this course include:
Fascia. • Muscle layers and their function and connections • Joints and attachment of muscles • Tendons and ligaments • Veins • Head & hyoid • Lymph nodes • Organs •Brain &Nervous systems • The effect of head and neck positions and Tack • The recoil system • Thoracic and Sacro-Pelvic sling * Skeleton and vertebral column.
EXTRA DETAILS
The course will be given in English.
An extensive manual of 120 pages will be provided for. In addition, a professional photographer will make some beautiful pictures that will be emailed to you after the course.
The group size will be selected in such a way that every student will get enough attention for his/her specific requests or questions.
During the dissection, certain bony pathologies are hard to discuss due to the presence of soft tissue. Therefore, after the dissection is completed, some skeletal parts will be cleaned and prepared. This process will take about 4 months. Once the bones are ready, you will get an automatic video where the skeleton parts will be fully analyzed and explained offering you another deeper layer of learning.
INVESTMENT:
8000 ZAR for 3 days of unique learning
This investment includes:
1) An extensive manual on Anatomy & Biomechanics (120 pages)
2) Presentation of horses [it's life and assessment videos]
3) Blood panel and diagnostics report
4) 3 days Whole Horse Dissection (& Asking Questions!)
5) After course materials [Professional photos & replay)
6) Full biopsy analysis report of any relevant abnormal tissue samples found (pathology lab)
Installments possible:
First installment of 4200 ZAR upon registration. Second installment of 4200 ZAR one week before dissection starts
CANCELLATION POLICY
A 30% refund will be given upon cancellation of the participant up till 12 weeks prior the event. Any cancellation on behalf of the participant within 12 weeks prior to the event will not be refunded.However, if the participant can find a suitable replacement for taking over the spot the fee can be refunded.
Upon the unlikely cancellation of the event by the organizer, a full refund of the participation fee will be given within 14 days. Additional costs like flight tickets / overnight stay will not be refunded.
