Students on the equine bio dynamics course have used Wow as a model to show where his muscles and bones are situated. Already painted are seven cervical vertebrae, scapula and humerus. Students are seen here painting eighteen thoracic vertebrae.

The brachiocephalic muscle is painted red, it  is a large muscle that runs from the equine skull to the head of the humerus muscle. It’s main function is to lower the head and neck. Student painting the trapezius muscle in green with a wash off paint.

Wow demonstrating how his muscles work. The splenius muscle painted in blue is the main muscle in moving the head, the briachiocephalic muscle is painted in red and extends the shoulder, the trapezius muscle painted in green suspends the shoulder and allows the scapula to move up and down. The gluteals painted blue give the hind quarters propulsion and strength to move forward: this is the “engine of the equine.” The hamstring and quadriceps group are painted in purple, as is the pectorials. You can see the biceps femoris and tensor facia lata on Wow. The abdominal muscles are painted a yellow colour.

Lunging Wow in walk: observe the painted 7 cervical vertebrae, scapula, humerus,18 thoracic vertebrae, rib cage, pelvis, femur, and tibia.

* photos by Mandi Ayris