From the Greek : “hippo”, which means horse and “logy”, which means student of or expert in.

Wherever Cavalry existed, or wherever horses were used for any reason in military operations (such as pulling gun carriages), army Manuals of “Hippology” were part of mandatory issue for each and every soldier in a mounted troop.

Since the Cavalry disbanded, and though equestrian sport has grown increasingly over the past number of decades, it has become increasingly difficult to find adequate replacements for these manuals, the content of which is essential to any discerning rider deserving of the name .

Most treatise that can be found pertaining to this subject matter is either written for professionals, too involved, too complicated or too scholarly.

What is needed is comprehensive but basic material that provides the average recreational and competitive rider with practical information pertaining to their horse’s psychology, physiology, hygiene and general care – information which allows for knowledgeable choices and decisions in the day to day care of their horse.

Even a cursory study of “Hippologie” will provide the rider with basic notions of the horse’s psyche, anatomy and physiology. Subject matter consists of :
the skeleton, muscles, tendons, ligaments, synovials, digestion, respiration, circulation, nervous system, vision, teeth, foot structure and function, hard and soft blemishes, conformation, attitudes of locomotion, appendages, gaits, serviceable soundness, ailments and their treatment … and information pertaining to general stable management … in essence, a basic “working” knowledge of the overall anatomy and general care of the horse, and how it best relates to the work that is required of them.