Misty Downs Equine Care in Stanthorpe, Queensland | Pet service

Misty Downs Equine Care

Locality: Stanthorpe, Queensland

Phone: +61 434 873 913

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25.01.2022 What’s in the muscle? Tensor Fasciae Latae Last week I discussed the muscle linings of the Cutaneous Trunci. This week, I’d like to focus on another superfici...al muscle close to it: The Tensor Fascia Latea. The Tensor Fasciae Latae is a superficial muscle located in the horse’s hindquarter. It is complex in nature due to its multiple attachments. The muscle originates at the Tuber Coxae [Point of Hip] - sharing a partial partnership with the Superficial Gluteal. It has direct insertions at the Fascia Latae and Crural Fascia of the Limb as well as indirect insertions due to fascial tissue connections, at the Patella, Lateral Patellar Ligament and Tibia Crest. The TFL flexes the hip joint and extends the stifle whilst tensing the Fascia Latae and acts in opposition to the Semitendinosus that extends the hip and hock joints while flexing the stifle. It is also part of the myofascial Spiral Line and Functional Line that is related to the movement around the sagittal axis i.e., rotation of the spine as well as the Lateral Line which is related to the movement around the vertical axis. It has to work with the vertebral column both in extension and flexion. The TFL is also closely connected to surrounding muscles such as the Biceps Femoris, Quadriceps and it is considered to be part of the so-called ‘ventral’ chain which provides support and maintains posture. During walk and trot, activity of the TFL usually begins in the middle of the stance phase and ceases in the early period of the swing phase. During canter, the TFL of either loading limb or trailing limb is usually active from the early period of the stance phase to the end of the stance phase or the early period of the swing phase. The longer activity of the TFL in canter can be explained by the necessity of more support and stabilisation for the joints in faster gaits. In most horses, the TFL shows a higher amplitude of activity in the stance phase than in the swing phase, which would indicate that the muscle acts stronger as an extensor or stabiliser of the stifle than as a hip flexor during locomotion. In some horses, the action of the Tensor Fascia Latae upon the extension phase of the hind limb shows with some ‘strands’ as if pulling a plastic bag. On the opposite, the muscle might show a big ‘blob’ during the flexion phase of the hind limb especially in canter. This results in a ‘blob’ ‘strain’ ‘blob’ ‘strain’ pattern. What is causing this phenomom? 1 Dysfunction. Sometimes it is as simple as that! Although the muscle should tense the Fascia Latae upon extending the stifle, it should do so smoothly. If the muscle is functional, but simply underdeveloped, the muscle action is just weak, but still pure. This is acceptable, especially in the young horse that has not been trained a lot yet. The muscle should then gradually strengthen and develop with proper exercise in conjunction with the other muscles in the hindquarters. However, if the muscle shows up with ‘strands’, it is not just weak, but dysfunctional. It is tight and trying to hang on. The Fascia can sometimes tear. Some horses shows one ‘strand’ coming up from low point on the Tubercoxae, some horses show a double pattern on both the upper and lower part of the Tubercoxae. The cause of dysfunction can be multiple: 1 Injury / Dysfunctional anatomy. It is commonly caused by underlying issues or restrictions in the lower back, hip, hock and stifle. It is thus key to check and restore functionality and mobility as much as possible in these joints to improve the muscle tone of the TFL. 2 Overuse. Training needs to be build up progressively. If this is not done correctly, naturally the abovementioned joints and surrounding structures will also start to struggle, but then mobilizing through treatment will not be enough as without adaptations in the training, the problem will re-occur. 3 Lack of oxygen. This is a general cause that can have a genetical link and underlying problems such as cardio-vascular issues or lung problems or pathologies such as Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis. Faster gaits require more oxygen and thus more contraction of the FTL as already mentioned earlier and thus this could be a problem. On the other hand, weak muscles in general can also cause oxygen deprivation as the diaphragm is weaker to support deep breathing. 4 Neurological compression. This is also a more general cause. Muscles are innervated by neurons. Hence, compression of the nervous system could alter the functionality of muscles. See the pictures for normal vs abnormal functioning! Like these posts? Than follow this page and come join us in a Masterclass or Dissection to learn more! Want to make a change? Then sign up for the Online Support Program!

25.01.2022 An interesting short article. In Sweden and Denmark worming products are prescription only. It is certainly worth faecal testing before worming. Resistance is a huge problem.

24.01.2022 I am offering FREE CONSULTATIONS via phone/email for anyone with animals affected by the bushfires. Herbal & homoeopathic medicines can be very useful in the re...covery period both physically and emotionally. The past weeks and months have been full of anxiety, grief and devastation for many people and their beloved animals. Not only fires, drought as well. As I am going through some of this myself, I can empathise with your pain. It is nothing less than a horror movie. But it is real, this is our reality. Please call or email me: 0401865069 [email protected]

24.01.2022 A simple way to help your horse cope with the smoke and fires, as well as any other illness or stress, including colic. Make sure you do Both sides of your horse. Please note Wishes is not tied to this fence, the rope is just looped around.

22.01.2022 EQUINE GASTRIC ULCERS....Points to consider - Part 1 This is the first of a couple of articles covering my thoughts on gastric ulcers in horses. I wanted to de...dicate the whole of this article to one very important, overriding concept that seems to often go unmentioned. It is vital to get this clear in your head and so I thought it best to make this important concept the sole focus of this article. We are already familiar with the fact that ulcers can be created by stress. Stress can be in many forms including psychological and physical. Some of the physical causes can include pain/discomfort and also immobility/lack of motion/lameness. As a result of this, ulcers are usually secondary to other issues. This is often the case but not always. So let us now get into the important point that I would like to convey. The digestive system, along with a lot of internal systems, is controlled by a subconscious nervous system called the AUTONOMIC SYSTEM. It is similar in most mammals (including us). This is a very important division of the nervous system that is in control of maintaining a harmonious internal environment. In other words its role is to keep the internal systems working and all in balance. It governs the balance in a lot of systems including the digestive system, circulatory system etc etc. The autonomic nervous system constantly tries to keep the body in a state of balance (homeostasis) by monitoring everything in the body and making alterations via nerves and hormones. This is all done without the animal being aware of it. The control centre is found at the base of the brain and consists mainly of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The autonomic nervous system is divided into two parts, namely the SYMPATHETIC and PARASYMPATHETIC systems. They work in opposing ways. The SYMPATHETIC system is centred around the fight or flight reaction. It makes changes appropriate to help the body be able to fight or take flight. These include diverting blood from the digestive system to the muscles, increasing the heart rate and respiratory rate. Basically all the things that make sense should the horse need to flee from a predator or turn and fight. The PARASYMPATHETIC system is the opposite to this. Its main role is to deal with everything that makes sense to do when not fighting or fleeing. These will include things like resting, healing, reproducing and digesting..... So now we see that the digestive process is a very parasympathetic process. The relationship between the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems is similar to that of a see-saw. If one is increased then the other is decreased. An increase in the amount of sympathetic input will automatically cause a decrease in the parasympathetic input (and vice versa). As you can see the sympathetic system is closely related to stress. The fight or flight situations tend to be stressful. So any stress will mean that the sympathetic system is dominant over the parasympathetic system which is for relaxed situations. As I mentioned at the beginning stress can be psychological or physical. So a lack of mobility or discomfort in the horse can cause a physical stress that can lead to an increase in the dominance of the sympathetic system. Equally psychological stress will increase the sympathetic load on the system. The lives we and our horses live put the body under a lot of stress and so most horses and humans are tilted towards a sympathetic state. Any increase in the sympathetic system automatically causes a reduction in the parasympathetic control. Therefore, ANY STRESS will lead to a reduction in the ability to DIGEST, HEAL and REPRODUCE. So now you see the important point....ANYTHING that can act as a stressor will limit the bodys ability to digest, repair and reproduce effectively. Points for consideration.... 1) The stomach is part of the DIGESTIVE system. Therefore, this will be affected by the increased sympathetic and reduced parasympathetic activity. Likewise, the entire digestive system will not be able to function correctly. So all of the processes, including those of the stomach will be inefficient. The body therefore cannot digest the food correctly. It is also likely to lead to ulcers in other areas such as the hind gut. 2) Tissue is less likely to be able to HEAL properly. Whether it is the lining of the stomach or tendons in the limbs etc. The body cannot repair effectively when the parasympathetic system is being reduced by the increased sympathetic activity (due to the increased stress). So all tissue is more likely to get an injury and any injured tissue will not be repaired as well. Therefore, ulcers are more likely and will be harder to resolve. So a stressed horse is more likely to get ulcers in the first place and less likely for them to heal. Plus....the horse is more prone to lameness through injuries elsewhere such as tendons, ligaments and joints!! A sympathetically dominant horse will get many issues across its body from ulcers, lameness, poor coat, poor muscles etc etc. 3) The REPRODUCTIVE effects will cause mares to not cycle correctly or hold a pregnancy if they are too sympathetic. Likewise, the stallions reproductive ability will also be hampered by stress. 4) ANY stressor that is maintained for long enough without resolution can lead to a chronically increased sympathetic system throughout the whole body. This can lead to ALL of the above and more over time as ALL of the body systems will be affected. Therefore a long standing lameness can create a digestive or reproductive issue, for example. Or a long standing digestive issue can create a lameness or reproductive problem..... It is all related and interlinked. As I hope you will gather at this point the ulcers are therefore often a symptom of a much larger issue. Hence why I mentioned that they tend to be secondary in nature. Therefore, while it is important to treat the symptom itself it is far more important to find the underlying issues that are creating the sympathetic dominance within the body. This requires a WHOLE HORSE approach. The treatment will then be specific to that individual case but should always be multi-factorial to ensure that the WHOLE HORSE is considered and effectively managed. As you can imagine we could go on and on but I think that is enough for now and certainly enough to highlight the main concept before we delve further in. I will be publishing PART 2 next weekend where I will be discussing the role of the head and upper neck with regards to gastric ulcers. NB Most of the images used are taken from Google Images.

21.01.2022 HORSES, HEAT, SWEATING, COLD-WATER, COOLING, SCRAPING At the risk of preaching to the converted, as a few people are still sending me articles, often written by... lay people, sometimes from vets, and telling me how wrong I am, I thought Id try a pictorial approach Per litre, Ice-Cold water (0-5C) removes heat faster than evaporation of 1 litre of water or sweat. Per litre, the complete evaporation of 1 litre of sweat or water removes 13x more heat than 1 litre of ice-water BUT evaporation takes 10-15x longer to remove the heat. COLD WATER = QUICK COOLING, BUT WASTEFUL OF WATER (INEFFICIENT) - USE FOR RAPID COOLING EVAPORATION OF WATER OR SWEAT = SLOW, BUT DOESNT WASTE WATER (EFFICIENT) - USE FOR KEEPING HORSES COOL MYTHS Myth 1 - You should never put cold water on a hot horse" Explanation - Ice-cold water(0-5C) on hot horses does not cause shock, laminitis, kidney damage, muscle damage, tying-up or heart attacks! Myth 2 - Water left on a horse will heat up and insulate and make the horse hotter." Explanation - Flawed physics! Water is a better conductor of heat than air. A wet horse will actually cool faster than a dry one, even if humidity is 100%. Myth 3 - Scraping is essential." Explanation - Scraping just wastes time that could be better used putting more water on to cool by conduction. Scraping also wastes water when water is in short supply. Water which could evaporate on the horse. Water evaporating on the ground doesnt cool horses down. Myth 4 Concentrate on large veins, arteries inside the back legs, large muscle groups" Explanation - NO. Cooling by evaporation or conduction works by cooling the blood flowing through the small blood vessels in the skin. The more skin you cool, the quicker you cool the horse. Apply water all over. How do I know all this? 25 years working on equine thermoregulation. 20 plus scientific papers on equine thermoregulation. Working with endurance horses in the Gulf. Advising the racing industry on prevention and management of heat-stroke. Working with Governments on heat legislation. Working with charities on thermal stress. Working on the 1996 Atlanta, 2004 Athens, 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Currently working on the 2018 Tryon World Equestrian Games and Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Author of the FEI Guidelines for National Federations on the management of horses in thermally challenging conditions. https://inside.fei.org//Session_6_Optimising_performance_i

21.01.2022 I love this image... It shows just how vulnerable the young horses skeleton is. Look how long it takes for the lower jaw & poll to mature.... We put bits in young mouths & in some cases force their bodies into an outline way before their skeletons have matured.

21.01.2022 Whats in the muscle? Rhomboideus. From the hindquarters, I will move on to describing common muscle linings and their possible meaning in the neck. A new post... will be published every week. Today, Id like to start with the Rhomboid muscle. The Rhomboid is a deep muscle is located in the topline of the horses neck. The cervical portion of the muscle originates from the funicular cord of the Nuchal Ligament and the thoracic portion attaches at the spinous processes of T2-T7. However, there is no differentiation between the cervical and thoracic portions of the muscle dorsal to the spine of scapula. The muscle inserts at medial aspect of the cartilage of scapula, dorsal to the Serratus Ventralis of which muscle fibers intertwine. The Rhomboid functions to lift the scapula and drawing it forward. Furthermore, it assists in raising and telescoping the neck when the limb is fixed. As such, the Rhomboid has an important effect on shaping the base of the neck. Since, the base of the neck drives the whole neck arch and subsequently the so-called freedom of the shoulders it is important to understand these basic mechanics. The Rhomboid works in an antagonist relationship with muscles arising from the chest such as the cybernetic Longus Colli and Scalenus. These muscles are especially important for horses lacking attachment of the Nuchal Ligament Lamella at C6-C7 since when they contract and shorten (concentric contraction), they support the vertebrae from below and raise the base of the neck. In response, the Rhomboid and Trapezius for that matter can lengthen and aid in the telescoping ability of the neck. On the opposite, if the Rhomboid would contract and shorten (concentric contraction), it would drive the base of the neck downwards and deepening its U-shaped declivity. This results in poor head/heck carriage and the horse would be unable to free its shoulders and front limbs. In some horses, the Rhomboid appears to be hypertrophied not to be confused with a crested neck. This usually has two main causes: 1 Hind end lameness. The Rhomboid often hypertrophies when there are problems in the hind end as the head acts as a counter lever in movement. In my practise, palpating the rhomboid has proven to be a reliable indicator NOT DIAGNOSIS of hind end issues. Furthermore, I also use it to measure progress: if I start to rehabilitate a horse with a heavy hypertrophied rhomboid I know I am on the right track when the rhomboid starts to normalize. When it doesnt normalize, I know I still have to look deeper or change my approach. I would advise you to always palpate both sides when the horse is standing square with the neck straight to give you an indication of (a)symmetry in development as well. 2 Poor training practises. The Rhomboid gets heavily compromised when the horse is asked in a hyper flexed position as well as when the horse is against the hand. When a rider holds tension in the reins, the base of the neck will be driven downward and the horse cannot move in correct and efficient self-carriage. As such, USE your horses muscle linings to judge your management and training. The horses body doesnt lie. The rhomboid should not be visible from the outside. If it is, start to look for the problem and let the horse guide you. The horse is always right. Today, we have so much more knowledge available that we dont need to subdue the horse to any simplistic training practises anymore. We can do better. We can evolve! Follow this page for more of these posts. Want to know more? Donate 5,99 for my 4,5 seminar available via: https://www.thirzahendriks.com/plans-pricing

20.01.2022 Initiating rehab methods earlier might promote healthier foot structures and reverse tissue degeneration.

20.01.2022 Post Completed Found his new furever home locally CRITICALLY URGENT Mt Isa Pound... Has $205 rescue pledges Horse 3188 - AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION Stallion is looking for his forever home Stockhorse, 15.2hh and is approximately 20 years old. This beautiful boy has been broken in and has been used on cattle in his previous life. He is cooperative and easy to shoe as well as load into a horse float. He has a lovely nature and a great attitude however does display your typical Stallion traits. With an experienced home, he will go a long way and will be a great horse Please be aware that there are Local Laws surrounding his adoption and where he is able to be placed. If you are able to offer him a loving and forever home, please contact Council. (07) 4747 3200 [email protected] Private Message our Animal Management Facebook page

20.01.2022 Please watch if you ride a horse!

19.01.2022 Join our free outreach group and learn what you can do right now to help your EMS/PPID horse, donkey, or mule. https://bit.ly/2DzMqzw Scroll to the bottom and click on JOIN THIS GROUP. Youll get an email quickly with info on how to get the help you need.

17.01.2022 Arguably the most delicate bones in equine anatomy- the Hyoid Apparatus! These bones provide anchorage for the horses tongue and larynx. And the musculature t...hat inserts onto them have a huge role to play in moving the tongue, forelimb protraction and scapulae ROM. Poorly fitted bridles- specifically tight nose bands and incorrect bitting, or restricted head/neck movement caused by bad hands or training aids will directly inhibit hyoid apparatus function, therefore affecting how your horse moves. Symptoms of hyoid discomfort (which go hand-in-hand with TMJ tension) include; fussing with the mouth, drawing the tongue back, head shaking, unequal forelimb protraction and restricted shoulder movement to name but a few. Breakage of these bones can cause partial, or total tongue paralysis. With this in mind, its quite logical to say that if these tissues are compromised then the horses whole musculoskeletal system will be compromised too.

16.01.2022 Have you heard? The third film in the ECIR Group NO Laminitis film series is now available through our website: ecirhorse.org. DIET AND DRUGS is a 20-minute fil...m covering the role of diet and drugs in the treatment of horses, donkeys, and mules with EMS/IR and/or PPID. Youll learn what truly works, what to do in an emergency, the importance of hay analysis, and more. All three ECIR films were made possible because of donations from an anonymous friend of ECIR and our loyal Benefactors at Auburn Labs Inc., California Trace, Forageplus, Mad Barn, Soft-Ride Boots, and Uckele Health and Nutrition. Watch DIET AND DRUGS here and please share with your vet, your hoof care professional, your barn owner, your trainer -- anyone who has equines in his/her care: https://bit.ly/2AeLeim See more

16.01.2022 Its now three years since this article appeared on my blog. The writer originally wrote a comment under the earlier article about the C6-C7 congenital vertebra...l malformation (aka ECVM) and I found her tragic story so powerfully expressed, that I asked if shed mind sharing it as an article. Heres the result. There are still many who state that this malformation really isnt a problem that breeders should be concerned about. What do you think? https://thehorsesback.com/c6-warmblood/ See more

15.01.2022 The bones from this poor horse show that there could be other reasons for bad behaviour other than a horse just being naughty. Pain is more often than not the cause of any undesired behaviour.

14.01.2022 I received my first set of Sure Foot Equine Stability pads the other day and I finally had an opportunity to try them out on some of my boys. Sure Foot pads come in different densities and can help improve the horses balance, proprioception, movement and posture. The pads also relax the horse by switching them from the sympathetic nervous system (fight/flight mode) to the parasympathetic nervous system (resting mode). Zane took to the pads straight away and found them pretty relaxing Sure Foot pads can benefit all horses so I will now be incorporating them in with body work sessions

14.01.2022 For the dogs in the family

13.01.2022 Why trainers PUSH horses TOO FAST Klaus Balkenhol explains, "Although breeders have created a better horse, the market has created a demand for a stronger, heal...thier, more powerful horse. Its easier to sell a horse that looks like a carefully developed eight-year-old, and not like a three- or four-year-old just beginning his career. If you force it, you can get a three-year-old to physically look like a developed eight-year-old. Too many colts remain stallions which, if approved, promise breeders higher prices as three-year-olds. Now 250 to 300 young stallions are presented each year, when only 40 or 50 will be approved. Few breeders have the sense to geld the yearling stallions and leave them on the pasture to mature naturally. Instead, yearling stallions are brought into a stall, fed too much grain, and at three, look like six- or seven-year-olds. They have muscle mass, but not enough bone structure to support it. They look mature from the outside but arent . . . and when started to work, degeneration sets in. Competitions also create pressure to push horses too fast as competitions are now scheduled throughout the year without any breaks." Common Mistakes In Pushing Too Fast Tightening the noseband: "A horse resists by sticking out his tongue. Tightening the noseband too much puts pressure on the nose and on the poll. If it is necessary to tighten the noseband very tightly, then something has gone very wrong in the basic training of the horse. The horse cannot be relaxed, the first step on the training scale," warns Klaus. Specializing too early: "Drilling every day in the indoor arena is too intense for the young horse. Its very important, especially in the first two years of training, not to specialize the young horse. Training should include a variety of activities, including trail riding, which is good for the mind as well as building strength with hill work. It should include jumping, either free or low jumps under saddle, including small natural obstacles on the trail, and cavaletti. A variety of work will allow the horse to stay mentally fresh and to enjoy his work. Only when the horse is happy can dressage become art." Not checking tack frequently: "Saddle and tack need to be checked constantly for proper fit and adjusted as the horses body changes with growth, and as his fitness improves with the training. If the noseband gets too low, for example, and the skin between the noseband and the bit is rubbed and becomes sore, this causes the horse discomfort and loss of relaxation. Regularly check for sharp edges and bit problems in the horses mouth and teeth." Working too long: "The goal of our training is to build the horses mind and his muscles. Suppleness and relaxation require adequate muscle strength. strengthening requires both contraction and relaxation. Blood flow and oxygenation occur when the muscle relaxes. If the muscle is kept in a constant state of contraction, it loses power and strength, and actually becomes smaller. Frequent rest periods, especially for a young horse at a free walk on a long rein, are necessary. The rest periods are not for a riders fatigue, but to allow the horse to stretch and relax his muscles. The rest breaks will give you a completely new horse. This is the systematic gymnasticizing of the horse." Riding when the horseman is tense: "Horses are particularly sensitive to the riders mood. A rider shouldnt ride if she is under undue stress or doesnt have the time to ride. If the rider has a bad day, give the horse a rest day or go for a relaxing trail ride; dont work in the arena. The horse mirrors the riders mood." Not praising the horse enough: "The horse must perform from joy, not subservience. Praising a horse frequently with voice, a gentle pat, or relaxing the reins is very important to keep the horse interested and willing. If the horse offers piaffe, for instance, because hes excited, praise him for it. You shouldnt stop the lesson at that point nor make a big deal out of it. If you dont want piaffe, quietly urge him forward into trot, but you should NEVER punish him for offering the piaffe.

13.01.2022 Kissing Spine. Kissing spine is the condition in which the dorsal spinous processes are touching/overriding. The majority of cases are caused by external factor...s such as riding style/training style and saddle fit. The treatments available for kissing spine range from stretches and injections to surgically cutting away the ligament or removal of 1-2 dorsal spinous processes. You may often see us go on about the importance of an engaged and lifted back, regardless of discipline. A lifted and engaged back protects your horse from developing kissing spine (granted the saddle also fits). Whether you plod around the property or want to compete in the Olympics, it is in your horses best interest to ensure that how he is ridden is conducive to creating a HEALTHY athlete. Is riding in a manner that protects your horse not worth your while? Does the health of your equine partner not matter so long as he continues to carry you, regardless of the damage it is causing? Does your horse need to completely fall or rear and flip over for you to take notice of the pain they are suffering? ~SG

11.01.2022 Standing a horse on SURE FOOT Pads increases blood flow, which leads to an increase in overall vitality and wellbeing.

11.01.2022 Here is a radiograph of an almost two year old horse. It is that time of year when people get excited about getting their two year olds to a trainer to get star...ted under saddle. Here is a perfect example of why not to be in such a hurry. This horse will be two in May and when we sent these radiographs of his knees/carpus to a specialist at a university. We were told this horse should not be started in a training program for another 10-12 months because his growth plates in his knees were not closed enough. Starting a horse that is not physically mature enough can have long term effects like osteoarthritis and chronic lameness issues. If you have any doubt, you can always have radiographs done to see if the growth plates are closed enough for the work required by a training program. See more

10.01.2022 What’s in the muscle? Rhomboideus. From the hindquarters, I will move on to describing common muscle linings and their possible meaning in the neck. A new post... will be published every week. Today, I’d like to start with the Rhomboid muscle. The Rhomboid is a deep muscle is located in the topline of the horse’s neck. The cervical portion of the muscle originates from the funicular cord of the Nuchal Ligament and the thoracic portion attaches at the spinous processes of T2-T7. However, there is no differentiation between the cervical and thoracic portions of the muscle dorsal to the spine of scapula. The muscle inserts at medial aspect of the cartilage of scapula, dorsal to the Serratus Ventralis of which muscle fibers intertwine. The Rhomboid functions to lift the scapula and drawing it forward. Furthermore, it assists in raising and telescoping the neck when the limb is fixed. As such, the Rhomboid has an important effect on shaping the base of the neck. Since, the base of the neck drives the whole neck arch and subsequently the so-called freedom of the shoulders it is important to understand these basic mechanics. The Rhomboid works in an antagonist relationship with muscles arising from the chest such as the cybernetic Longus Colli and Scalenus. These muscles are especially important for horses lacking attachment of the Nuchal Ligament Lamella at C6-C7 since when they contract and shorten (concentric contraction), they support the vertebrae from below and raise the base of the neck. In response, the Rhomboid and Trapezius for that matter can lengthen and aid in the telescoping ability of the neck. On the opposite, if the Rhomboid would contract and shorten (concentric contraction), it would drive the base of the neck downwards and deepening it’s U-shaped declivity. This results in poor head/heck carriage and the horse would be unable to free it’s shoulders and front limbs. In some horses, the Rhomboid appears to be hypertrophied not to be confused with a crested neck. This usually has two main causes: 1 Hind end lameness. The Rhomboid often hypertrophies when there are problems in the hind end as the head acts as a counter lever in movement. In my practise, palpating the rhomboid has proven to be a reliable indicator NOT DIAGNOSIS of hind end issues. Furthermore, I also use it to measure progress: if I start to rehabilitate a horse with a heavy hypertrophied rhomboid I know I am on the right track when the rhomboid starts to normalize. When it doesn’t normalize, I know I still have to look deeper or change my approach. I would advise you to always palpate both sides when the horse is standing square with the neck straight to give you an indication of (a)symmetry in development as well. 2 Poor training practises. The Rhomboid gets heavily compromised when the horse is asked in a hyper flexed position as well as when the horse is ‘against the hand’. When a rider holds tension in the reins, the base of the neck will be driven downward and the horse cannot move in correct and efficient self-carriage. As such, USE your horse’s muscle linings to judge your management and training. The horse’s body doesn’t lie. The rhomboid should not be visible from the outside. If it is, start to look for the problem and let the horse guide you. The horse is always right. Today, we have so much more knowledge available that we don’t need to subdue the horse to any simplistic training practises anymore. We can do better. We can evolve! Follow this page for more of these posts. Want to know more? Donate 5,99 for my 4,5 seminar available via: https://www.thirzahendriks.com/plans-pricing

08.01.2022 WHATS IN THE MUSCLE ? - CUTANEOUS TRUNCI I am starting off a new short series explaining muscle linings and their possible meanings. Today Id 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 horses 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!

08.01.2022 Whats in the muscle? Cutaneous Omobrachialis I am taking a small detour from the neck, as I got many questions about a specific muscle line in the area of th...e horses shoulder. As such, todays spotlight is for the Cutaneous Omobrachialis. The Cutaneous group are the most superficial muscles in the horses body. In most anatomy books, not much importance or explanation is given on this muscle grouping. Although mainly considered as fly deterrants, certain cutaneous muscles also assist and provide mechanical functions. For example, the cutaneous coli seems to acts as part of the thoracic sling upon landing for example during jumps or working down hill. The Cutaenous Trunci can be recruited to draw the hind limb forward in case of hind limb especially stifle weakness. The Cutaneous Omobrachialis is located on the lateral surface of the horses shoulder and forearm and is often confused as being a fascial line. However, dissections have taught me that in fact it really should be classified as a separate muscle. Interestingly, there is quite some variation in exact shape or size of this muscle in individual horses. Despite being a superficial muscle, the Cutaneous Omobrachialis should not be visible from the outside. So why does it pop up in so many horses? Although there isnt a definite one-on-one reason / explanation, the most common connections I have seen are two-fold: 1 Shoulder issues / tightness. Most of the time, the lining of the Omobrachialis is combined with a dip in front of the whither, or muscle imbalances in the shoulder area including Biceps, Triceps (Elbow issues!), Deltoid, Iinfraspinatus, Supraspinatus and/or Terres Minor. I also find it quite commonly in horses with a recessed ribcage or sternum issues as well as hoof imbalances. When there is a primary weakness, the Cutaneous Omobrachialis can be recruited to assist in shoulder mechanics as a means of compensation. 2Neurological sensitivity. The skin is a highly innervated organ and some horses are very sensitive to the lightest sensory stimulus. In some cases it could be a seasonal phenomenon - in which case it would have to disappear upon winter. 3 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 explanations 1-2 can be ruled out - in my personal experience these often still prevail. Want to know more? Than follow this page or come join us for an (online) dissection of biomechanics course! Check: https://www.thirzahendriks.com//online-live-whole-horse-di

06.01.2022 All the theories in the world do not change what bones (and muscles when the horse is alive) reveal about how a horse lived and was ridden. This thoracic verte...bra shows how the facets remodeled to compensate for this horses crookedness. This bone was presented by Dr Kerry Ridgway, Equine Therapeutic Options at a symposium in 2012 but his lesson stand today. During the symposium Dr. Kerry Ridgway showed the bone in the attached photo to the audience. It is the sixth thoracic vertebra of a horse. Study it closely and you will notice differences between the joint facets on the right and left sides (red arrows). The bigger ones have extra bones on the left side because they needed more support due to crookedness. Imagine what happens when the crookedness has passed from the muscular mass into the bones and how it impacts the horse wellness. (2012 post) Understanding the horses spinal alignment and how to create good posture is how a rider can truly benefit his horses health and well being, and thus improve his/her performance. To create good spinal alignment requires we understand and work on independent balance, suppleness and straightness without over flexing the horses spine horizontally (neither inverting nor hyperflexing it ) or laterally or generally riding it crooked, blocking it or torquing it. Straightness means even-ness, symmetry, ambidexterity: the even development of both halves of the horse which allows it to use all its muscles and joints equally without taxing one more than another. Spinal health requires the rider remain aware at all times of the inner structure of the horse, of its bones,joints, nerves, muscles, tendons,ligaments and fascia and the need to maintain or enhance their integrity, strength, flexibility and stability. Think about what happens to bones, healthy and not so healthy when you add the concussive force of movement. To learn how to develop good posture and movement in-hand and under saddle, visit www.manolomendezdressage.com and have a look at our downloadable free articles and introduction to in-hand work dvd. Repost from 2013 and 2018

06.01.2022 Dolly was certainly loving the Sure Foot pads! She was shifting her weight a lot, and was obviously finding comfort with them as she didnt want to step off. I would love to see how Dolly would take to the soft pads if this is how much she loved the firmer ones! If you missed my earlier post, the pads help improve a horses balance, posture and movement. This is most likely due to the proprioceptors in the feet being stimulated. With a large number of proprioceptors found in ...the fascia throughout the body, the pads, via the proprioceptors, can help the horse correct its balance and posture, as well as improve range of motion by releasing restricted fascia (thats my theory anyway ) The Sure Foot pads also switch the horse from the sympathetic nervous system (flight mode) to the parasympathetic nervous system (rest mode). Tracey does an amazing job looking after Dolly and the rest of the herd, they all look fantastic despite the drought. If you think your four-footed friends arent as healthy as they could be, or need help with their diet, contact Tracey, her knowledge of herbs and homeopathy is invaluable.

05.01.2022 What's in the muscle? Cutaneous Omobrachialis I am taking a small detour from the neck, as I got many questions about a specific muscle line in the area of th...e horses shoulder. As such, todays spotlight is for the Cutaneous Omobrachialis. The Cutaneous group are the most superficial muscles in the horses body. In most anatomy books, not much importance or explanation is given on this muscle grouping. Although mainly considered as fly deterrants, certain cutaneous muscles also assist and provide mechanical functions. For example, the cutaneous coli seems to acts as part of the thoracic sling upon landing for example during jumps or working down hill. The Cutaenous Trunci can be recruited to draw the hind limb forward in case of hind limb especially stifle weakness. The Cutaneous Omobrachialis is located on the lateral surface of the horses shoulder and forearm and is often confused as being a fascial line. However, dissections have taught me that in fact it really should be classified as a separate muscle. Interestingly, there is quite some variation in exact shape or size of this muscle in individual horses. Despite being a superficial muscle, the Cutaneous Omobrachialis should not be visible from the outside. So why does it pop up in so many horses? Although there isnt a definite one-on-one reason / explanation, the most common connections I have seen are two-fold: 1 Shoulder issues / tightness. Most of the time, the lining of the Omobrachialis is combined with a dip in front of the whither, or muscle imbalances in the shoulder area including Biceps, Triceps (Elbow issues!), Deltoid, Iinfraspinatus, Supraspinatus and/or Terres Minor. I also find it quite commonly in horses with a recessed ribcage or sternum issues as well as hoof imbalances. When there is a primary weakness, the Cutaneous Omobrachialis can be recruited to assist in shoulder mechanics as a means of compensation. 2Neurological sensitivity. The skin is a highly innervated organ and some horses are very sensitive to the lightest sensory stimulus. In some cases it could be a seasonal phenomenon - in which case it would have to disappear upon winter. 3 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 explanations 1-2 can be ruled out - in my personal experience these often still prevail. Want to know more? Than follow this page or come join us for an (online) dissection of biomechanics course! Check: https://www.thirzahendriks.com//online-live-whole-horse-di

04.01.2022 Warning, graphic content.

04.01.2022 Our horses are going to run around in this rain, from joy and to keep warm. Unfortunately, our paddocks are bare of grass so the going will be Slippery! Slip ...Injuries often go unnoticed as horses are not moving normally in the conditions so we cant easily see an injury. Common slip injuries are: Tears of the pectorals in the chest, or right down low between the front legs. Biceps tendons strains from the front leg slipping back underneath the horse too far. Tears of inner thigh muscles and hamstrings from hind legs slipping. Hip joint strain from hind legs going out sideways. Sacroliiac joint strain from hindquarters going one way and front end going the other. Many of the slip injuries will not result in a noticeable lameness. Once it dries up, or you have a dry surface to ride on, check your horses movement on the long-line or lunge, particularly observe how they cope with turning. Taking short steps is often a sign of guarding an injury. Of course, dont forget to have a good feel with your hands too, feel for hot spots, sore spots, unusual hollows in muscle, grumpiness! If at all in doubt have your horse checked over by a therapist as these types of injuries can create long-term chronic issues if not correctly managed. See more

04.01.2022 It's now three years since this article appeared on my blog. The writer originally wrote a comment under the earlier article about the C6-C7 congenital vertebra...l malformation (aka ECVM) and I found her tragic story so powerfully expressed, that I asked if she'd mind sharing it as an article. Here's the result. There are still many who state that this malformation really isn't a problem that breeders should be concerned about. What do you think? https://thehorsesback.com/c6-warmblood/ See more

03.01.2022 http:// Terminology Tuesday - Learned helplessness // Learned helplessness is a state in which an animal has learned not to respond to pressure or pain. It arises fr...om prolonged exposure to environments or aversive situations that deny the possibility of avoidance or control. It may occur from inappropriate application of negative reinforcement or positive punishment, which results in the horse being unable to obtain relief from or avoid the aversive stimuli. If this continues over a period, the horse will no longer make responses that were once appropriate, even if they would be appropriate under the current conditions. Although many horsepeople assume that the loss of sensitivity in horses with "hard mouth" (an impaired response to cues from the reins) and "dead sides" (an impaired response to cues from the riders legs) is the result of accumulated scar tissue, it is more likely to reflect learned dullness. Just where this dullness emerges on the continuum that terminates in learned helplessness is not clear. However, the practice of using contradictory acceleration (leg/whip) and deceleration signals (bit via reins) simultaneously and indeed delivering these signals via amplifiers, such as the (lever-action) curb-bit and rowelled spurs, make the horse a likely candidate for learned helplessness. Learned helplessness would show up only after the failure of active coping mechanisms, such as bucking and hyper-reactivity. Established learned helplessness may compromise horse welfare since an animal in this state has suffered a critical loss of control of its environment.

03.01.2022 The article contains a link to a survey.

03.01.2022 "From my perspective the most humane and compassionate thing we can do is assume a behaviour problem is valid rather than naughty, lazy or bad, and work our butts off to find the source of the horses physical, mental or emotional discomfort. "

02.01.2022 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!

02.01.2022 Winter Laminitis is a sudden and dramatic increase in hoof pain with no change in management or precipitating factors. It is triggered by cold and can occur in ...equines (usually with a history of IR) even if they havent previously had laminitis. Learn preventative measures in the 2017 NO Laminitis! proceedings from Dr. Kellons presentation: TIERED MANAGEMENT APPROACH TO EMS AND PPID. Proceedings may be downloaded for free: https://bit.ly/2zP9w1w See more

02.01.2022 A reminder to check your horses mouths and check new hay: This poor boy was seen today for a very sore mouth! He was on a new round bale of hay in his paddock ...and his owners noticed he didnt seem right. Severe ulceration cause by barley grass seeds can be seen here under his tongue. After sedating, flushing and picking out all the seeds he is on medication to help heal the ulcers plus some good pain relief and is eating tonight a lot more comfortably (and the hay bale culprit full of barley grass seeds has been removed). Signs of grass seed issues to watch for include: Excessive salivation Malodorous (smelly) breath Not eating/dropping feed Swelling of lips See more

02.01.2022 Whats in the muscle? Tensor Fasciae Latae Last week I discussed the muscle linings of the Cutaneous Trunci. This week, Id like to focus on another superfici...al muscle close to it: The Tensor Fascia Latea. The Tensor Fasciae Latae is a superficial muscle located in the horses hindquarter. It is complex in nature due to its multiple attachments. The muscle originates at the Tuber Coxae [Point of Hip] - sharing a partial partnership with the Superficial Gluteal. It has direct insertions at the Fascia Latae and Crural Fascia of the Limb as well as indirect insertions due to fascial tissue connections, at the Patella, Lateral Patellar Ligament and Tibia Crest. The TFL flexes the hip joint and extends the stifle whilst tensing the Fascia Latae and acts in opposition to the Semitendinosus that extends the hip and hock joints while flexing the stifle. It is also part of the myofascial Spiral Line and Functional Line that is related to the movement around the sagittal axis i.e., rotation of the spine as well as the Lateral Line which is related to the movement around the vertical axis. It has to work with the vertebral column both in extension and flexion. The TFL is also closely connected to surrounding muscles such as the Biceps Femoris, Quadriceps and it is considered to be part of the so-called ventral chain which provides support and maintains posture. During walk and trot, activity of the TFL usually begins in the middle of the stance phase and ceases in the early period of the swing phase. During canter, the TFL of either loading limb or trailing limb is usually active from the early period of the stance phase to the end of the stance phase or the early period of the swing phase. The longer activity of the TFL in canter can be explained by the necessity of more support and stabilisation for the joints in faster gaits. In most horses, the TFL shows a higher amplitude of activity in the stance phase than in the swing phase, which would indicate that the muscle acts stronger as an extensor or stabiliser of the stifle than as a hip flexor during locomotion. In some horses, the action of the Tensor Fascia Latae upon the extension phase of the hind limb shows with some strands as if pulling a plastic bag. On the opposite, the muscle might show a big blob during the flexion phase of the hind limb especially in canter. This results in a blob strain blob strain pattern. What is causing this phenomom? 1 Dysfunction. Sometimes it is as simple as that! Although the muscle should tense the Fascia Latae upon extending the stifle, it should do so smoothly. If the muscle is functional, but simply underdeveloped, the muscle action is just weak, but still pure. This is acceptable, especially in the young horse that has not been trained a lot yet. The muscle should then gradually strengthen and develop with proper exercise in conjunction with the other muscles in the hindquarters. However, if the muscle shows up with strands, it is not just weak, but dysfunctional. It is tight and trying to hang on. The Fascia can sometimes tear. Some horses shows one strand coming up from low point on the Tubercoxae, some horses show a double pattern on both the upper and lower part of the Tubercoxae. The cause of dysfunction can be multiple: 1 Injury / Dysfunctional anatomy. It is commonly caused by underlying issues or restrictions in the lower back, hip, hock and stifle. It is thus key to check and restore functionality and mobility as much as possible in these joints to improve the muscle tone of the TFL. 2 Overuse. Training needs to be build up progressively. If this is not done correctly, naturally the abovementioned joints and surrounding structures will also start to struggle, but then mobilizing through treatment will not be enough as without adaptations in the training, the problem will re-occur. 3 Lack of oxygen. This is a general cause that can have a genetical link and underlying problems such as cardio-vascular issues or lung problems or pathologies such as Equine Exertional Rhabdomyolysis. Faster gaits require more oxygen and thus more contraction of the FTL as already mentioned earlier and thus this could be a problem. On the other hand, weak muscles in general can also cause oxygen deprivation as the diaphragm is weaker to support deep breathing. 4 Neurological compression. This is also a more general cause. Muscles are innervated by neurons. Hence, compression of the nervous system could alter the functionality of muscles. See the pictures for normal vs abnormal functioning! Like these posts? Than follow this page and come join us in a Masterclass or Dissection to learn more! Want to make a change? Then sign up for the Online Support Program!

01.01.2022 Yep, so, so true!

01.01.2022 ENG/NL THE UNBALANCED HORSE Practical considerations for horses with lower neck issues. ... I am proud to share my first article based on 67 cases of lower neck issues including Equine Complex Vertebral Malformation (ECVM) and lower neck Arthritis. Both conditions provide clinical and functional ramifications as logic dictates that asymmetric form comes with asymmetric forces (May-Davis 2019). Hence, I have dedicated myself in understanding these conditions and acquire necessary skills for successful management. The article is available in both English and Dutch. I am aware it might a bit longer read - about 20-25 minutes - but I wouldnt do justice to these horses by sticking to simplistic explanations. In fact, I could have written much more, but hope that this might give you some insight into the practical management of these conditions. Id like to thank all the horses and owners who allowed me to learn and acquire essential skills to further understand and manage lower neck problems. A special word of thanks goes to Zefanja Vermeulen & Sharon May-Davis from Equinestudies. Thank you for mentoring me and being the true voice of the horse. For English: https://www.thirzahendriks.com/post/the-un-balanced-horse Voor Nederlands : https://www.thirzahendriks.com/po/het-ongebalanceerde-paard