Animal Science: Anatomy & Physiology of Movement (Printable PDF)

In this unit, kids will discover how bones, muscles, joints, and conformation shape the way animals move. Using horses as our main example—alongside livestock and dogs—you’ll see how structure connects to function, endurance, and performance.

WHAT THEY'LL LEARN

• Chapter 1: Introduction to Movement – Learn why animals move, how anatomy and physiology work together, and compare horses to livestock and dogs. Activity: Anatomy/Physiology Crossword Puzzle (45 minutes) 

• Chapter 2: Skeletal System – Explore bones, joints, and how skeletons vary across species. Build a horse skeleton model using Wikki Sticks. Activity: Skeletal Modeling (90+ minutes for each species selected); Activity: Human/Horse Skeletal Comparison (40 minutes); Activity: Skeletal Species Comparison Chart (45 minutes) 

• Chapter 3: Biomechanics– Discover how muscles drive motion, work in pairs, and differ between animals built for speed, endurance, or strength. Activity: Horses in Motion (60 minutes)

• Chapter 4: Locomotion and Gaits – Study hoof-fall patterns, recreate gaits with cards, and compare horse gaits with other animals. Activity: Horse Gaits (40 minutes)

• Chapter 5: Conformation & Endurance – Examine proper vs. improper structure, how it affects gait, and why soundness is key to performance and longevity. Activity: Conformation Matching Worksheet (50 minutes) 

WHAT YOU'LL RECEIVE...

• 60 (sixty) page, printable, PDF lesson guide and activities

• Materials shopping list.

This is a digital product: PDF FILE. Nothing physical will ship.

This product is copyrighted and not to be shared, duplicated, or resold. The purchaser of this product has permission to print copies of these materials for immediate family, classroom or group use (ONE COPY). This resource can not be shared with other teachers, group leaders or families. Each is required to purchase this resource, just like if this resource were a physical product.  

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