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Hamptonvale Equine Bodywork

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25.01.2022 while we're all twiddling our thumbs i thought id exercise my fingers so I'm bashing out some notes and lectures for when we are able to get back to normal. so ...i thought id share some of the anatomical illustrations that we will use to illustrate the link between the foot and the musculoskeletal system. please be safe and keep well and i look forward to seeing you all again very soon

24.01.2022 I am still available to treat your horse within all health guidelines

17.01.2022 very important message - this is how I like to see horses trained

16.01.2022 To help all friends who are not from Italy we have translated this post into English: READY, STEADY, GO. One of the most common conditions I notice when rehabi...litating a horse is the lack of adequate and sufficient neck muscles. These are of fundamental importance for the horse’s movement, which uses them to balance itself at any gait and speed. It appears even more evident in the horses with a rider on their back, because they play an essential role in maintaining the horse/rider dynamic balance during the athletic movements. In order to perform its function, the neck must have developed - by means of a correct work - such strong muscles as to allow it to lower and stretch itself without reversing. In this way the horse will be able to use it easily whenever it needs so. Another task is carried out by the neck and can be performed only if this has been correctly developed. We are speaking about the riding aids and the possibility that the horse understands what the rider’s hand communicates to it. Whether a horse uses a bit or a bitless bridle while working, it will be necessary to see how the neck reacts to the action of the rider's hand. If the impulse coming from the croup and the hind legs has to reach the hand, it will have to pass through the neck; however, if the neck portion is contracted, lifting and reversing itself, and it is behind the bit, the communication will be interrupted, while losing any impulse or control. A good horse’s neck is strong and elastic and is able to receive and absorb the actions of the rider’s hand, transmitting them to the hind legs of the horse through the dorsal and lumbar spine. The legs will be able to properly react to the rider’s commands, by stopping the horse/rider weight, if necessary, pushing it forward at its maximum speed or pushing it upwards when approaching an obstacle. Horses feel satisfaction, I would even say self-respect, when they can work with us carefully and precisely, and they can do so when we allow them to respond well to our riding aids.

15.01.2022 Appointments available next week - just contact me

14.01.2022 WHAT'S IN THE MUSCLE ? - CUTANEOUS TRUNCI I am starting off a new short series explaining muscle linings and their possible meanings. Today I'd like to start wi...th one of the largest superficial muscles: The Cutaneous Trunci The Cutaneous Trunci is a so-called fly muscle as it activates [twitches] when a fly - or any other annoying insect, lands on the horse's body. Through the Cutaneous Trunci there is a direct connection from the stifle apparatus all the way to the hyoid and its surrounding structures. In some horses , the Cutaneous Trunci shows as a line under the skin with a slightly raised egde. This is often mistakenly interpreted as a metabolic issue or a sign of an unidentified inflammation. So what are probable explanations for this phenomenom? 1 Dehydration. In case of dehydration, fascia and muscles tighten and muscle linings start to show. However, this is usually more an exception. 2 Hyper sensitivity. The skin is a highly innervated organ and some horses are very sensitive to the lightest sensory stimulus. Hence, as a result, the Cutaneous Trunci hypertrophies during summer. However, if this is the case, the muscle lining should disappear over winter. If the muscle line stays visible throughout all seasons, the most likely explanation is the third cause below. 3 Assisting in drawing the hind limb forward. If the horse has a weakness in the hind end, it can recruit the Cutaneous Trunci to assist in drawing the hind limb forward. This is the most common explanation I find in my practice. The weakness in the hind end can be anything, but in my experience it mostly involves the stifle apparatus. By restoring functionality in the hind end - as much as possible, I have seen the the muscle line of Cuteanous Trunci gradually disappear. 4 Personal signature. Every horse is different. Hence, these lines can be like identification markers creating their own personal signature. However, in order to come to this conclusion it must be certain that explanation 1-3 can be ruled out - in my personal experience these often still prevail. Want to know more? Come joint us for a dissection or biomechanics assessment module listed in the events!

12.01.2022 Ribs - they are not just the area where our cinch, saddle and legs lay on the horse. Human ribs - we think about how the ribs enclose and protect our organs, ai...d with breathing etc. The average human doesn’t have regular external pressures put upon it's rib cage. Horses when being ridden either under saddle or bareback, or when lunged with a saddle or surcingle are constantly dealing with pressure to the rib cage. Let’s take a basic look at the ribs - their main function, location, and motions. *We will explore their relationship to neurology and vascularity in a different posting. The main function of the ribs is to: -Protect the thorax and abdomen and the parts with these cavities such as organs. -Support breathing and lung movement which in turn oxygenates the blood for proper circulation thru the body. The horse has 18 pairs of ribs - total of 36 to form the rib cage. Ribs 1-8 attach to the sternum. These 8 ribs have less mobility than the other ribs as they are attached to the sternum. This area encloses the thoracic cavity containing the heart and lungs. Let’s think about 1) where our cinch sits - very close to the last few ribs in this group and 2) the ability of the front limbs to move in propulsion and retropulsion in which the motions of the 1st rib is of great importance. Ribs 9-18 are commonly know as false ribs. This means that they connect to costal (rib) cartilage, allowing them more range of motion. These ribs enclose the abdominal cavity containing our organs such as the liver, stomach, pancreas, small intestines, and parts of the large intestines. Once again we have a portion of our cinch affecting some of these ribs in this group. Further down we have the saddle laying on the middle to the end of these ribs and if spurs are used they are affecting these ribs also. Think about 1) saddle fit and position 2) rider weight and balance. Each rib (except 18) attaches at it’s head to two vertebrae at the height of the disc between the vertebrae. The ribs have direct and important motions with the spine. On the external side of the rib many muscles are attached including the longissimus, serratus, pectorals, and oblique and rectus abdominals. On the internal side of the rib are attachments to the diaphragm (respiration!), intercostals, and the transverse abdominal muscle. When the rib moves it works in relation to the motion of the transverse process of the vertebrae (on the lateral side of the vertebrae). During inspiration the body is actively supporting this motion and during expiration the motion is passive. When the horse breathes in, the ribs move in motions that are dorsal (upwards) and at the same time moving in the direction of the head, and also laterally. This motion directs the thoracic vertebrae of the spine to move in a ventral (downward) motion allowing the thoracic spine to go to Extension - usually the head and neck are raising up. The opposite is true of breathing out. When the horse breathes out, the ribs move in motions that are ventral ( downwards) along with caudal ( towards the back of the horse), and medial ( toward the midline). The thoracic spine will move to a Flexion position. So this Extension - Flexion of the spine happens with every inhalation and exhalation by the horse. When our horse is taking a breath in while bending to one side, the ribs on the same side as the bend must move in motions of medial, ventral and caudal while at the same time the ribs on the opposite side must move to motions of lateral, dorsal and cranial. This is correct movement of the ribs for side bending to be achieved freely. If your horse isn’t able to move it’s ribs with good motion to allow balanced inspiration and expiration, then it is follows that the spine in this area will have a decreased mobility which = the horse may have issues being able to achieve proper flexion and extension of the thoracic spine. What does this mean to us as riders? If you want your horse to be able to achieve collection throughout it’s body it must have mobility of the ribs and spine! If your horse isn’t able to move it’s ribs freely, then achieving motions of side bending in your riding will also be compromised. There is so much more about the connections of the ribs to the whole body but at least take these thoughts away with you today to consider the importance of the fluidity of rib movement. Osteopathic techniques can help to improve rib and vertebrae mobility, along with more balanced respiration -just to name a few of the benefits.

09.01.2022 I try to tell riders this everyday.....

07.01.2022 very important message - this is my training style and belief

07.01.2022 *edited to add* this is a regular venogram image that I animated with an app called pixaloop. All about that blood supply!

06.01.2022 THE "MOTOR" sits in the back !!! Exercises that help activate the hind, increase strength and flexibility in the lower back and help connect the front to the m...otor in the back Transitions are the easiest way to get your horse to shift its weight to the back when ridden correctly the transition is like us doing a quick squat, briefly shifting the weight to the back end, and then bouncing back up and forward. Start with the easier transitions like walk- trot or trot-canter, and depending on your and your horse’s skills and fitness you can increase intensity with transitions like walk-canter, canter-walk, trot-halt, or canter-halt. Changing tempi Frequent lengthening and shortening strides in all gaits (e.g. extending along the long side of the arena, collecting/shortening on the short side of the arena) are wonderful exercises too. Make sure to use your outer rein with half halts to shorten the stride and to get more hind leg engagement. Rein-back, then go forward Moving forward immediately after stepping backwards is another excellent training tool it asks for engagement of the abdominal- and loin muscles. The better this exercise is performed, the more upwards the following forward movement will feel. Start with asking for walk after stepping back, then trot and with growing skills and strength also for canter. Asking for a correct rein-back A mistake we see all to often is that riders ask their horses to step back in a quick, uncontrolled and hasty manner. Go slow, it is about your horse doing the steps correctly/keeping front and hind in a line, not about rushing far and fast. Lateral exercises and circles These are another useful training tool to strengthen and to increase flexibility. Especially exercises like shoulder in on a circle or counter-shoulder in help your horse to shift weight to the hind. The spiral, decreasing (the inner hind leg steps under and across) and increasing the width of the circle, too is an excellent exercise. Cantering on the circle whilst using half halts with the outer rein asks for more engagement of the hind legs however, these exercises are not easily done correctly so please make sure you and your horse are ready for them!, Jumping grids and ground poles Especially for jumping the horse needs to shift weight to the hind, hence integrating jumps or work with ground poles can be a valuable addition to training even if your discipline is completely different like dressage or western riding. Make sure you are using correct distances according to your individual horse’s height and stride length to avoid injuries. Canter work The canter asks the horse to engage the motor in the back more than any other gait, and thereby teaches the horse to use its hind differently, to take up more weight and to push from behind. With growing strength and skills canter work offers you a variety of exercises like changing tempi (extending/shortening strides), lateral movements, flying changes etc Trail riding Get your horse out of the arena, a change of scenery is good for mind and body! Riding up and down hills, circumnavigating trees and bushes, stepping over branches and fallen trees all these are valuable training tools in disguise Ground work Ground work teaching things like stepping sideways, backwards, over poles and lateral movements before the horse has to deal with the rider’s weight is a good start. Make sure your horse is moving correctly and frequently change sides and directions. www.sonovet-equine-therapy.com

04.01.2022 Fact: De-activation of the spinal stabilizing muscles can be detected within 3 days of a trauma or other event that causes blockage/restriction in the top muscl...e chain. Once the source of restriction and/or pain is resolved, correct muscle function does not reoccur on its own. The nerves need to be re-awakened. But how? You must use finely controlled motor exercises, ones that do not allow the larger muscle systems to "cheat" and take over. See more