Horse Anatomy Reference Book -- "Anatomy in Action" by Gillian Higgins (updated 7.1.21)

 Every artist needs this equine anatomy book in their reference library. I purchased a copy of  "Anatomy in Action" by equine anatomist and biomechanist Gillian Higgins directly from her UK based website. She offers shipping to the US and a US version of the DVD https://www.horsesinsideout.com/aia

About the author Gillian Higgins.

This oversized book was designed for equestrians -- to better understand the bio-mechanics of horses in motion. 

It's also a must-have reference book for artists.

Why are horses the animals artists struggle most with.. but must master to understand all animal anatomy better?

This question is often covered by artist Terryl Whitlatch in her online and in-person art instruction workshops. Whitlatch is renowned for films like the Star Wars prequels, Jumanji, Brother Bear, and is the creator of The Katurran Odyssey. 

Her mastery of animal anatomy has made her an icon in the fields of creature design and scientific illustration. Her lectures often stress that understanding horse anatomy is crucial for artists. Horses have the most extreme anatomy of all animals. No wonder horses are often the most challenging animal for many artists to render with confidence and accuracy.

The "Anatomy in Action" book is a brilliant blend of science and art. It features UK-based Gillian Higgins trademark horse anatomy lessons -- where she paints the muscles or skeleton on to living horses. Higgins gives live workshops and sells DVDs of her programs. You can learn more about her work here: https://www.horsesinsideout.com/

This post will show some sample pages from Higgins' "Anatomy in Action" book.

This book will help you see horse anatomy in action... and horses in various angles and poses. Let the sample pages here get you excited about ordering this book. You can order with confidence. My book and DVD were shipped quickly and arrived well packed and in mint condition.

Several sections of the book feature large photos of a horse gait (for example, the canter above) and then  you can fold out the two oversized pages that illustrate the gait in sequence...

While most of the riding shown is English, there is this western riding action sequence of a sliding stop...

I highly recommend this site and these resources. Yes, shipping from the UK is expensive.. but it's less than getting to the UK for one of Gillian Higgins' in-person workshops. Consider these resources an investment in her work as well as your animal art education.

https://www.horsesinsideout.com/