Written by Sue Morris

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"The good rider must be  able to lay claim to an education. Then he also feels the need to analyse his actions. He will try to deduce them from nature by scientific means, and form a system that can serve as a foundation  for all his individual actions." Louis  Seeger (1844) If you’ve come this far, you are obviously a keen student! But I put this quote here because there are those riders / teachers who think that learning about anatomy is too much unnecessary information. Everything in classical riding is based in the biomechanics and  psychology of the horse and rider, which gives it a logical cause  and effect. Those who can’t be bothered to learn about his aspect of  their riding a missing out on a huge chunk of knowledge and could be  putting far too much effort into their riding and getting very little result from their horse. Some people  love to know all the parts involved in moving the body; some like to  be aware of where it is they are experiencing a "feeling"; others  just ride without ever needing (or wanting) to  know. Muscles of the Thigh - Quadriceps Group (other names: Quads /  Heads) (1) Rectus Femoris - extends the leg, flexes the thigh (2) Vastus Lateralis (Externus) - extends leg (4)Vastus Medialis (Internus) - extends leg (a) Tensor Fascia Latae -  flexes, abducts, and medially rotates the thigh (c) Sartorius - -flexes, abducts and laterally rotates the thigh; flexes leg (f) Iliopsoas - flexes the thigh; flexes and laterally bends the lumbar vertebral column (g) Pectineus - adducts, flexes, and medially rotates the thigh (h) Adductor Longus -  adducts, flexes, and medially rotates the femur (i) Gracilis - adducts the thigh, flexes and medially rotates the thigh, flexes the  leg. Glossary of Terms Abduct - draw away from  the mid-line of the body Adduct - draw towards the  mid-line of the body Flex - bend Extend - straighten Medially rotate - turn towards the middle Muscle Use In Riding Muscle Diagrams Pelvis Diagrams Abdominals   Copyright © Sue Morris 1998-2005