No. 124. Emma Loftus The Origin and Importance of the Sphenoid Bone in Horses and Humans

Emma Loftus RCST, BCST has been around horses since she was a baby – but first learned to ride when she was six years old. During her teens, Emma wanted to be a jockey, so enrolled in the British Racing School in the UK to gain a pathway into a racing stable. This entry into the racing world led her to work not just in the UK, but in Germany, the USA, New Zealand, and Australia (where she currently resides). Emma began studying Equine Craniosacral therapy in 2011, But it was in 2013, that Emma was introduced to the Biodynamic model, and it was here that her journey with the work shifted. On a visit to the UK and Europe in 2015, Emma enrolled in a weekend introductory workshop with the Craniosacral Educational Trust (CTET) on Craniosacral Biodynamics, the experience left her wanting to learn the modality from the beginning, so she enrolled in the two year training in 2017, and graduated in July last year. ps: Just to add, I may not have made it clear that the sphenoid and occiput are of slightly differing origin to the embryological triads of the spinal vertebrae. Note that; The orbito and basi post sphenoid derived from cephalic mesoderm. But the ali sphenoid and basi pre-sphenoid are derived from Neural Crest cells. Which is fascinating 🤓 and an insight to the intricate formation of the incredible butterfly/bat bone, the sphenoid. I also would like to point out an error I made in discussing the Occiput at birth (I can't count!). I kept saying the bone was in three parts. It is actually in 4 parts; (1) Squamos part (2,3) Condylar (4) Basilar.