Equine Massage: A Practical Guide (38 page)

Muscle

Myology:
The infraspinatus muscle (located in the deep layer) anchors on the posterior (or caudal) part of the scapula and attaches on the posterior aspect of the head of the humerus. The infraspinatus and supraspinatus muscles play a very important role in prevention of lateral dislocation of the shoulder joint. Any lateral work (e.g., half-pass, cutting) will cause stress within these two muscles. When contracting, these muscles flex the shoulder joint as well as prevent lateral dislocation. They also assist in abduction and outward rotation of the leg.

Signs and Symptoms:
When the muscles are tight, the horse will hold his leg bent (flexed) at the knee as a result of the referred pain in the shoulder joint. The referred pain affects the shoulder joint because the infraspinatus lower tendon attaches in the fascia that surrounds the shoulder joint. So when this muscle aches the soreness spreads right over the joint capsule fascia.

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During movement, the stress causes lameness in the overall shoulder motion, resulting in abnormal stride of the foreleg in all planes and affecting the general gait.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 10, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the shoulder and he might drop the leg on the same side. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch and perhaps stamp his feet on the same side or try to pull away from the pressure.This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 10 will be felt as a large, tight knot in the upper end of the muscle. It may feel very tender to the horse. The whole muscle will feel tight all along its course.

#11 Stress Point—The Thoracic Part

of the Serrate Muscle

Myology:
The thoracic serrate muscle (located in the deep layer) attaches to the ribs, runs upwards and anchors on the posterior edge of the scapula.When contracting, it moves the scapula backwards, allowing the shoulder joint to come up. At rest, it contributes to adjusting the trunk to its proper level.

Signs and Symptoms:
When the muscle is tight, the horse reacts to the tightening of the girth. During movement, the tightness causes lameness in the side where it appears. The stride will be stilted on that side (especially when the girth is tight), interfer-ing with the flexibility of the shoulder.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 11, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the thorax and the upper shoulder, and sometimes along the back muscles. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch and perhaps stamp his feet on the same side or try to pull away from the pressure.This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 11 will be felt as a large, tight knot by the upper posterior edge of the scapula. It will feel very tender to the horse.

The whole muscle might feel tight along its course.

#12 Stress Point—The Latissimus

Dorsi Muscle

Myology:
The latissimus muscle (located in the superficial layer) attaches along the thoracic aspect of the spine from the first thoracic
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vertebra all the way to the lumbar vertebrae. It runs down on each side to attach on the upper medial aspect of the humerus of the foreleg. Its contraction is one of the main sources of power for the retraction of the foreleg. It also contributes to the medial (inward) rotation of the foreleg.

Signs and Symptoms:
When the muscle is tight, the horse reacts to the tightening of the girth. During movement, the tightness causes lameness in the side where it appears. The stride will be shortened on that side and the retraction power will be reduced.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 12, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the thorax and the shoulder, and sometimes along the back muscles. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch and perhaps stamp his feet on the same side or try to pull away from the pressure. This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 12 will be felt as a large, tight knot by the lower aspect of the muscle near the edge of the triceps muscle. It feels very tender to the horse.The whole muscle might feel tight along its course, depending on the severity of the stress.

#13 Stress Point—The Upper End of

the Triceps Muscle

Myology:
The triceps muscle (located in the superficial layer) attaches on the posterior edge of the scapula, running downwards to anchor on the point of elbow. When the triceps muscle contracts it causes the shoulder joint to flex.

Signs and Symptoms:
When the muscle is tight, the horse will hold his leg bent (flexed) and will not put weight on it while at rest. During action, the horse will show lameness with a shortened stride; he will jump flat or hang a leg.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 13, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the shoulder; he might flex his knee. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch and perhaps stamp his feet on the same side or try to pull away from the pressure. This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 13 will be felt as a small knot against the middle posterior edge of the scapula, which may be very tender to the horse. A tight line of fibers will also be felt across the muscle.

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#14 Stress Point—The Lower End of

the Triceps Muscle

Myology:
The triceps muscle (located in the superficial layer) attaches on the posterior edge of the scapula, running downward to anchor on the point of elbow. It extends and locks the elbow joint.

Signs and Symptoms:
When the muscle is tight and the horse is at rest, he will hold his leg bent (flexed) and will not lock the knee joint completely. During movement, the animal will show lameness with a shortened stride.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 14, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the shoulder and he might flex his knee. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch and perhaps stamp his feet on the same side or try to pull away from the pressure. This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 14 will be felt as a rigid knot of tissues at the point of elbow. It may feel very tender to the horse.The whole muscle might feel tight along its course, depending on the severity of the stress.

#15 Stress Point—The Cranial

Superficial Pectoral Muscle

Myology:
The cranial superficial pectoral muscle (located in the superficial layer) attaches to the sternum and upper ribs. It runs downwards to each side to attach to the medial (internal) aspect of the humerus. Its contraction assists the protraction, controls the adduction, and assists the lateral movement of the foreleg.

Signs and Symptoms:
When tight, the muscle affects the stride and resists the abduction (lateral) movement of the foreleg.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 15, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the chest and point of shoulder. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch or try to pull away from the pressure. This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 15 will be felt as a rigid knot of tissues at the point it attaches to the humerus, and it will feel very tender to the horse. The whole muscle might show tightness along its course, depending on the severity of the stress.

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#16 Stress Point—The Caudal

Superficial Pectoral Muscle

Myology:
The caudal superficial pectoral muscle (located in the superficial layer) attaches on the sternum and ribs, running laterally on both sides to attach on the medial (internal) aspect of the humerus. Its contraction causes adduction of the foreleg.

Signs and Symptoms:
When tight, the muscle affects the stride and restricts the abduction movement of the foreleg.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 16, the horse will respond with skin twitching on the inside of the leg and the chest.

If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch and perhaps stamp his feet on the same side or try to pull away from the pressure.This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 16 will be felt as a rigid knot of tissues by the attachment point on the humerus. It may feel very tender to the horse.The whole muscle might show tightness along its course.

#17 Stress Point—The Caudal Deep

Pectoral Muscle

Myology:
The caudal deep pectoral muscle (located in the superficial layer) attaches on the sternum and lower ribs. It runs forward to attach to the medial (internal) aspect of the humerus. During concentric contraction, it draws the foreleg backwards as well as assists in the adduction (medial) movement of the leg. During eccentric contraction this muscle assists in the abduction (lateral) movement of the foreleg.

Signs and Symptoms:
When this muscle is tight, the horse reacts to the tightening of the girth. During movement, the animal shows shortened extension of the foreleg and becomes stilted.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 17, the horse will respond with skin twitching along the lower thorax. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch or try to pull away from the pressure. This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 17 will be felt as a rigid knot of tissues on the origin tendon over the sternum. It will be a very sensitive area with a tight line of muscle fibers running forward along its course.

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#18 Stress Point—The Radial Carpal

Extensor Muscles of the Foreleg

Myology:
The extensor muscles (located in the superficial layer) attach on the lower end of the humerus, running downwards to attach on the anterior aspect of the pastern bones.Their contraction causes the fetlock joint to extend (or dorsi flex).

Signs and Symptoms:
When these muscles are tight they limit the extension of the hoof during protraction of the leg.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 18, the horse will respond with some skin twitching along the foreleg and the point of shoulder. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch and perhaps stamp his feet on the same side or try to pull away from the pressure.This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 18 will be felt as a rigid knot of tissues by the attachment point on the humerus. It feels very tender to the horse.The whole muscle might show tightness along its course.

#19 Stress Point—The Lateral Carpal

Flexor Muscles of the Foreleg

Myology:
The flexor muscles (located in the superficial layer) attach on the upper aspect of the ulna. They run downwards to attach on the posterior aspect of the pasterns. Their contraction causes the fetlock joint to flex.

Signs and Symptoms:
When tight, these muscles limit the flexion of the hoof during retraction of the leg.

Treatment:
When you apply pressure to SP 19, the horse will respond with some skin twitching along the foreleg and the point of shoulder. If the stress point is very tender, the horse will flinch and perhaps stamp his feet on the same side or try to pull away from the pressure.This is a sign of excessive tightness and stress; if you feel heat, suspect inflammation.

Stress point 19 will be felt as a rigid knot of tissues by the attachment point on the ulna. It feels very tender to the horse.The whole muscle might show tightness along its course.

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The Back and Rib Cage

The vertebral column and the rib cage are made up of strong bones, ligaments, and muscles.These structures provide anchoring for strong muscle groups.

The muscles that prevent the back from sagging are the spinalis dorsi muscle (SP 5), the longissimus dorsi muscle (SP 20), and the iliocostalis dorsi (SP 21) muscle.

The external and internal oblique muscles (SP 22, 23, and 24), the transverse abdominal muscles (SP 25), and the intercostal muscles (SP 26) all stabilize the rib cage during movement.They also strongly contribute to the flexion of the back. The other muscle groups associated with protraction and retraction of the limbs have a second function in supporting the backbone.

Always check these stress points (SP 20, 21, 38) to prevent a

“cold back.”After exercising, massage them thoroughly to prevent inflammation. If stress point tenderness persists, check the saddle, the padding, and flaws in the rider’s style.