Equine Massage: A Practical Guide (2 page)

#5 Stress Point—The Spinalis Dorsi Muscle

206

# 6, 7, and 8 Stress Points—The Trapezius and
Rhomboid Muscles

207

#9 Stress Point—The Supraspinatus Muscle

207

#10 Stress Point—The Infraspinatus Muscle

208

#11 Stress Point—The Thoracic Part of the

Serrate Muscle

209

#12 Stress Point—The Latissimus Dorsi Muscle
209

#13 Stress Point—The Upper End of the

Triceps Muscle

210

#14 Stress Point—The Lower End of the

Triceps Muscle

211

#15 Stress Point—The Cranial Superficial

Pectoral Muscle

211

#16 Stress Point—The Caudal Superficial

Pectoral Muscle

212

#17 Stress Point—The Caudal Deep Pectoral Muscle
212

#18 Stress Point—The Radial Carpal Extensor
Muscles of the Foreleg

213

#19 Stress Point—The Lateral Carpal Flexor

Muscles of the Foreleg

213

The Back and Rib Cage

214

#20 Stress Point—The Longissimus Dorsi Muscle
(Forward Attachment)

215

#21 Stress Point—The Iliocostalis Dorsi Muscle
215

#22 Stress Point—The External Abdominal Oblique
Muscle (Hip Attachment)

216

#23 Stress Point—The External Abdominal Oblique
Muscle (Rib Cage Attachment)

216

#24 Stress Point—The Internal Abdominal Oblique
Muscle

217

#25 Stress Point—The Transverse Abdominal Muscle
(Pubic Attachment)

217

#26 Stress Point—The Intercostal Muscles

218

viii

Contents

The Hindquarters and Hind Legs

218

#27 Stress Point—Junction of the Gluteus

Muscles and the Longissimus Dorsi Muscles

219

#28 Stress Point—The Biceps Femoris Muscle

220

#29 Stress Point—The Belly of the Biceps

Femoris Muscle

221

#30 Stress Point—The Gastrocnemius Muscle

221

#31 Stress Point—The Vastus Lateralis Muscle
222

#32 Stress Point—The Rectus Femoris Muscle

222

#33 Stress Point—The Adductor Muscles

223

#34 Stress Point—The Semitendinosus Muscle

223

#35 Stress Point—The Semimembranosus Muscle
224

#36 Stress Point—The Tensor Fasciae Latae Muscle
224

#37 Stress Point—The Iliacus Muscle

225

#38 Stress Point—The Superficial Gluteus Muscle
225

#39 Stress Point—The Long Digital Extensor

Muscles

226

#40 Stress Point—The Long Digital Flexor Muscles
226

Stress Point Check-up Routine

227

First Sequence

232

Second Sequence

233

Third Sequence

234

The “Trouble Spots” Routine

234

Step 1:The Upper Neck

235

Step 2:The Point of Shoulder

235

Step 3:The Withers

236

Step 4:The Upper Shoulder

236

Step 5:The Lower Shoulder

237

Step 6:The Croup

237

Step 7:The Point of Hip

238

Treatments

238

Back Treatment

239

Neck Treatment

240

The Forequarters Treatment

241

The Hindquarters Treatment

243

11. Equine Myofascial Massage ............................245

The Fascial System

246

What Is Fascia?

247

The Fascial System and Its Functions

247

Physical Properties of Fascia

248

Preparation

250

Attitude

250

Observation

251

Touch—The Four T’s

251

Contents

ix

Pressure, Contact, and Rhythm

251

Feedback from the Horse

252

Emotional Release

252

Myofascial Release Techniques

254

Double-Hands Friction Technique

254

Cross-Hands Technique

255

The Stroking Technique

257

The Hand Pressure Technique

258

12. Equine Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction
Syndrome (ETDS) ........................................260

Anatomy of the Equine TMJ

261

Skeletal Structure

261

Temporomandibular Articulation

261

Nerve Supply

263

Vascular Supply

264

Fascia of the Head

265

Muscles of Mastication

265

Causes of TMJ Dysfunction Syndrome

267

Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Dysfunction Syndrome

268

TMJ Problems

268

Caudal Lesion

269

Rostral Lesion

270

Palpation

270

Checking the Protraction and the Retraction of the
Mandible

271

Checking the Latero-Lateral Movement of the
Mandible 271

Checking the Incisive Lines

271

Massage Guidelines for ETDS

271

Massage Goals

272

Duration

273

The Relaxation Massage Routine

273

Neck Stretches

273

Massage Routine for ETDS

273

13. Lines of Compensation ..................................278

External Lines of Compensation

281

Diagonal Lines of Compensation

282

Transversal Lines of Compensation

286

Side Lines of Compensation

288

Summary of the Side Lines and Transversal Lines of
Compensation

290

Summary of all External Lines of Compensation
291

x

Contents

Internal Lines of Compensation

292

Internal Compensation from the Skull

294

Internal Compensation from the Shoulders

295

Internal Compensation from the Hips

295

Summary of External and Internal Lines of

Compensation

296

14. Saddle Fitting ...............................................298

Saddle Tree

300

Saddle Panels

300

Massage for Cold Back

302

Warning

303

15. Areas of Stress Specific to Each Discipline ......305

Guidelines for Treatment

306

School Horses

306

Pleasure Horses

307

Hunters

307

Jumpers

308

Dressage Horses

309

Eventing Horses

309

Endurance Horses

310

Polo Ponies

311

Western Performance Horses

311

Gaited Horses

312

Flat Racing Horses

312

Steeplechase Horses

313

Harness Racing Horses (Trotters and Pacers)

313

Light Harness Horses

314

Draft Horses

314

16. Keeping Records...........................................316

Basic Information About the Horse

317

The Major Complaint

317

The History of the Present Illness or Problem

318

The History of Past Illnesses or Problems

319

Clinical Examination

319

Treatment

320

Program

320

Maintenance

320

Updates

321

Index ...........................................................324

FIGURES

IN.1

Horse Anatomical Terms ...........................................5

1.1

Points of the Horse...................................................9

1.2

Nervous System......................................................10

1.3

Circulatory System .................................................12

1.4

The Lymphatic System: Lymphocenters made of

lymph nodes ...........................................................14

1.5

Skeleton of the Horse .............................................17

1.6

A Bone...................................................................18

1.7

Joints of the Horse..................................................21

1.8

A Joint....................................................................22

1.9

Ligaments of the Fetlock Joint ................................22

1.10

Ligaments of the Horse...........................................25

1.11

Cross-Section of a Skeletal Muscle..........................27

1.12

A Muscle ................................................................27

1.13

Superficial Muscles of the Horse .............................29

1.14

Muscles of the Horse, Front View ...........................33

1.15

Muscles of the Horse, Rear View ............................35

1.16

Deeper Muscles of the Horse..................................37

2.1

Body Language ......................................................45

3.1

Proper Posture ........................................................52

3.2

Proper Posture: Back straight, elbows and knees flexed......................................................................54

3.3

Proper Posture: Using body weight for added

strength...................................................................54

3.4

Stroking Movement ................................................61

3.5

Stroking Massage Movement ..................................61

3.6

Effleurage Movement..............................................62

3.7

Effleurage Massage Movement ................................62

3.8

Petrissage: Kneading Movement ..............................63

3.9

Double Thumb Kneading Movement .....................64

3.10

Petrissage: Compression Movement .......................65

3.11

Palmar Compression Movement .............................65

3.12

Fist Compression Movement ..................................66

3.13

Petrissage: Muscle Squeezing Movement .................67

3.14

Double Hand Muscle Squeezing Movement ...........67

3.15

Petrissage: Picking-up Movement............................68

3.16

Picking-up Movement ............................................69

3.17

Petrissage:Wringing Movement ..............................70

3.18

Wringing Movement ..............................................70

3.19

Petrissage: Skin Rolling Movement.........................71

3.20

Skin Rolling Movement .........................................71

3.21

Vibration Movement ..............................................72

xi

xii

List of Figures

3.22

Vibration Massage Movement .................................72

3.23

Shaking Movement.................................................74

3.24

Shaking Massage Movement ...................................74

3.25

Friction Movement.................................................75

3.26

Thumb Friction Movement ....................................76

3.27

Finger Friction Movement......................................77

3.28

Hand Friction Movement .......................................77

3.29

Nerve Stroking Movement .....................................78

3.30

Nerve Pressure Point Movement.............................79

3.31

Nerve Friction Movement ......................................80

3.32

Tapotement: Clapping Movement ...........................81

3.33

Clapping Movement ...............................................81

3.34

Tapotement: Cupping Movement ...........................82

3.35

Cupping Movement ...............................................82

3.36

Tapotement: Hacking Movement ............................82

3.37

Hacking Movement ................................................82