A Hands-On Exploration of Equine Anatomy & Dysfunction

Course Length: 2 Hours 50 Minutes

This intensive, hands-on professional development course is designed for equine practitioners, bodyworkers, and serious students of equine health. Set within the incredible facilities of the University of Calgary’s Vet Med Lab, this is your exclusive opportunity to dive deep—literally and figuratively—into the structural, neurological, and biomechanical layers of the horse.

Led by an expert —Dr. Sarah Pedersen—participants will explore the cervical-thoracic region through a morning lecture followed by interactive stations that feature real dissection specimens, plastinated models, and joint articulations. Topics include everything from saddle fit and fascia to nerve pathways and spinal dysfunction, all brought to life through guided, tactile learning.

This is not your average anatomy class—you help shape the content. Bring your questions, clinical challenges, and curiosity. Whether it’s about nerve pain, muscular compensation, lameness patterns, or rehab strategies, this day is all about exploring what lies beneath the skin to better inform the work you do with horses every day.

In This Course, You’ll Learn:
✔️ Cervical-thoracic anatomy, biomechanics, and dysfunction
✔️ How saddle fit impacts tissue, nerve pathways, and spinal health
✔️ Practical rehab strategies for structural imbalances
✔️ Dissection-based visualization of fascia, joints, and attachments
✔️ How therapists "feel" dysfunction—and how you can see it in anatomy

Dr. Sarah Pedersen, DVM, MSc, cVSMT, VMRT
Veterinarian, Educator, Rehab Specialist, Equine Chiropractor, Equine Acupuncturist
Dr Sarah Pederson brings a wealth of information. She is excited to talk about the development, dysfunction and implications of the secondary curvature of the spine. As well, she will cover topics like saddle fit and it’s effect on the tissue, nerve innervation considerations and the brachial plexus and the stay apparatus. For each of these topics, she’s willing to go through different rehabilitation strategies.