Angela McLeod

Equine Vet/ Biomechanics Coach

About Me

I am an equine veterinarian who also has many years of experience working with and riding horses.

During high school and university I competed in eventing up to 2 star level (now 3 star) and rode racehorse trackwork all through university and my first years working as a vet.

I grew up and studied in New Zealand before moving to Australia to work for a Gold Coast vet practice.

In 2008 I acquired a really special young warmblood called Darcy. I competed him in young dressage classes and eventing to novice level but was often frustrated with my progress despite having regular lessons.

In 2011 I spent a year riding in Germany, (including a stay with Klaus Balkenhol and time with biomechanics expert vet, Gerd Heuschmann) and there developed an understanding and passion for equine biomechanics, and the link between the way that horses are trained, and their longevity and overall health and wellbeing.

I came to believe that almost everything to do with riding and training horses is quite logical and can be explained by the laws of biomechanics.

I returned to Australia in 2012 with a new goal to teach others about Equine Biomechanics. I turned my competitive focus towards show jumping and competed to 1.35m with Darcy. I also got into breeding and now have four more horses from the same dam.

I am passionate about teaching riders about biomechanics so they can think logically about problems encountered in their training and find ways to solve them.

Mission Statement

I am dedicated to sharing my knowledge of equine biomechanics with riders of all levels so that they can start to understand the way a horse’s body must be gradually trained over time so that he can comfortably carry a rider and perform happily and successfully.

It takes a long time for a rider to develop a feel for the movements of the horse’s hindlegs. Until this feel is developed, it is helpful to understand the theory behind the mechanics of movement and the mechanical effects of the aids.

I give riders a basic understanding of the horse’s anatomy and physiology, necessary in order to train them intelligently to work correctly over the back, thereby improving performance and minimising trauma to joints, tendons, ligaments and muscles.

I think many veterinarians could also benefit from learning more about correct training so they can advise their clients better regarding rehabilitation/ prevention of future injury.