Equine Massage: A Practical Guide (48 page)

13.5 Diagonal Lines of

Compensation Between

Shoulders and Hips

(3) between the left shoulder and

the right hip

(4) between the right shoulder and

the left hip

3

4

B

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Between the Skull and Hips

The intersection point C of lines 5 and 6 on figure 13.6 is located approximately over the fourth and sixth cervical vertebrae, influencing the epiaxial and the hypoaxial muscles of the spine, as well as the cranial, cervical, omobrachial, thoracolumbar, gluteal, thorax, and abdominal fasciae. Do not forget to consider the fascia of the limbs as well.

13.6 Diagonal Lines of

Compensation Between

Skull and Hips

(5) between the left hip and the

right occipital protuberance

C

(6) between the right hip and the

left occipital protuberance

5

6

Lines of Compensation

285

Summary of the Diagonal Lines of Compensation

The crossing points A, B, and C will vary slightly lengthwise (as in front to back), or even laterally, depending on the horse’s gait and speed. Indeed, the horse’s conformation, his shoeing, and the terrain he is moving on will also influence the distribution of muscular and fascial tension.

The two mastoid processes of the skull receive four lines of compensation from the other point of anchor. Notice how the hip directly relates to the neck. A bad case of sacrum luxation, or of a L5-L6 sub-luxation, can really influence the neck, affecting the horse’s ability to carry his neck smoothly.

13.7 Diagonal Lines of

Compensation Summary

A

C

B

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The hips receive four lines from the other point of anchor.

Notice how the neck directly relates to the hips. A bad case of equine TMJ syndrome, or of a C0-C1 sub-luxation, can really influence the hind legs, reducing the energy generated by the horse’s engine.

Transversal Lines of Compensation

Transversal
means between the two sides of the horse. The transverse plane runs perpendicular to the median plane that divides the body lengthwise in two equal halves.There are three main lines of compensation, those of the skull, the shoulders, and the hips.

13.8 Transversal Lines of

Compensation

7

8

9

Lines of Compensation

287

It is important to acknowledge these transversal lines of compensation as they play an important role in equine locomotion at all gaits, but especially during the canter and gallop. During resting periods, a horse usually stands on one hind leg while resting the other.

These transversal lines become critical when the horse is recovering from an injury because he will shift his weight to avoid pain.

A long period of recovery can lead to some very serious compensatory phenomenas in both the fascia and the muscles.

Lines of the Skull

Line 7 in figure 13.8 marks the transversal line of compensation between the occipital protuberances of the skull, influencing the upper attachment of the extensor and the flexor muscles of the neck, as well as the cervical fascia, and possibly the omobrachial and thoracolumbar fasciae. A bad case of equine TMJ syndrome, or of a C0-C1 sub-luxation, would quickly spread strong muscular and fascia compensation into the entire upper neck, making the horse very tender and reactive at the bit, even with fine hands.

Lines of the Shoulders

Line 8 in figure 13.8 marks the transversal line of compensation between the shoulders, influencing the shoulder girdle muscles, possibly the extensor muscles of the neck and back, as well as the omobrachial and antebrachial fasciae, and possibly the cervical and the thoracolumbar fasciae. Consider also the carpal, metacarpal, and digital fasciae of the lower foreleg. A bad case of uncomfortable shoes, eventually creating the beginning of an abscess, would quickly spread muscular and fascial tension over the entire shoulder area.

Lines of the Hips

Line 9 in figure 13.8 marks the transversal line of compensation between the hips, influencing the hip flexor and hip extensor muscles, possibly the extensor muscles of the back, as well as the gluteal and femoral fasciae, and possibly the thoracolumbar and abdominal fasciae and the fasciae latae. Consider also the crural, tarsal, metatarsal, and digital fasciae of the lower hind leg. Again, a bad case of uncomfortable shoes will eventually create the beginning of an abscess and quickly spread muscular and fascial tension over the entire hip area.

When a horse accidentally slides to the side with one leg underneath his belly, this will seriously affect his deep fascia and ligaments governing that side of the limb. Also, falls from uneven landings when jumping can cause a lot of stress in the deep fascia layers right down to the skeleton.

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Equine Massage

A myofascial massage technique, labelled the cross-hands technique (see chapter 11), was developed to address these transversal lines of compensation, especially over the hips and the thorax.

Side Lines of Compensation

Side lines
are the lines of compensation on the lateral flank of the horse, parallel to the median plane. Side lines of compensation exist on both sides of the neck and trunk.

It is important to acknowledge these side lines of compensation as they play an important role in equine locomotion at all gaits, but especially during the canter and gallop. During resting periods, a horse usually stands on one side while resting the other.

13.9 Side Lines of Compensation

10

11

12

13

Lines of Compensation

289

The transversal lines on the same side join forces with the side lines to offer better support. This is critical when the horse is recovering from an injury, favoring one side for a long period of time.

Lines of the Neck

Lines 10 and 11 in figure 13.9 respectively illustrate the side lines of compensation over the left and the right side of the neck, influencing the flexor and extensor muscles of the neck, as well as the cervical and omobrachial fasciae, and possibly the antebrachial fascia.

A bad case of cervical luxation (joint displacement) at any level along the seven vertebrae that comprise the cervical section would quickly cause muscular and fascial compensatory tension on either neck side.

Lines of the Trunk

Lines 12 and 13 in figure 13.9 respectively illustrate the side lines of compensation over the left and the right side of the trunk, influencing the extensor and the flexor muscles of the back, as well as the omobrachial, thoracolumbar, gluteal, and the thorax and abdominal fasciae. Consider also the carpal, metacarpal, and digital fasciae of the lower foreleg, and the crural, tarsal and metatarsal, and digital fasciae of the lower hind leg.

Here, too, a bad case of thoracolumbar or lumbo-sacral luxation (displacement) at any level along the 18 thoracic vertebrae that comprise the thoracic section or the 6 vertebrae that comprise the lumbar section, or the sacrum, getting out of alignment with the hips, would quickly cause muscular and fascial compensatory tension on either side of the body.

Left Side Lines of Compensation Together

Lines 10 and 12 in figure 13.9 reveal the horse’s option to brace himself over his left side to further accommodate strong compensation from a problem arising on his right side, or sometimes on his left side.

Right Side Lines of Compensation Together

Lines 11 and 13 in figure 13.9 reveal the horse’s option to brace himself over his right side to further accommodate strong compensation from a problem arising on his left side, or sometimes on his right side.

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Summary of the Side Lines and

Transversal Lines of Compensation

These side lines of compensation relayed by the transversal lines are providing a kind of box for the horse: a box that helps him with his own awareness of proprioception in space. When the horse is at rest, using his stay mechanism so he can rest, these lines of compensation prevail.

A horse at “stall rest,” recovering from a serious problem such as surgery or a fracture, will quickly develop compensatory tension along those lines. Both the transversal and the side lines of compensation will help him brace himself as a reflex to better

13.10 Transversal and Side Lines

of Compensation Summary

Lines of Compensation

291

carry himself and avoid discomfort as much as possible. Indeed, depending on the nature of the problem at hand, even the diagonal lines of compensation may be involved.

Summary of all External Lines of

Compensation

This study of all the lines of compensation seen in a horse shows you how a local problem can affect the rest of the body and interfere with the horse’s general balance.As stated earlier in this chapter, the coxofemoral articulation of the hip, the scapulo-humeral articulation of the shoulder articulation, and the temporomandibular articulation of the skull work in concert via all the muscular and fascial lines of compensation.

There are some movements that the horse does to the right, some to the left. He also moves his limbs forwards and backwards, adducts and abducts them, sometimes with a minimum of inversion or eversion of the hoof depending on the demands of the rider.

Please make an important note of:

❖ The location of the center of gravity sitting in front of point B, the crossing of the diagonals of compensation between the shoulders and hips

❖ The very busy crossings, points A and C in figure 13.11, over Cervical vertebra #2, 3, and 4 of the neck area

❖ You can quickly see that the withers are a key anchoring area of the equine anatomy. There are an equal amount of lines of compensation on either side of the withers; however, the withers anchor 12 lines of compensation plus the respective transversal lines.

❖ The two mastoid processes of the skull receive six lines of compensation from the other points of anchor plus the respective transversal lines.

❖ The hips receive six lines from the other points of anchor plus the respective transversal lines.

So when there is some restriction developing in any articulations and the associated muscles and fascia, you need to check on all the articulations.This thorough checking will allow you to better determine the source of primary or secondary compensation.

This process will also contribute to a much better overall massage and lasting benefits.

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A

C

Center of gravity

B

13.11 External Lines of Compensation

Summary with the Center of Gravity

Internal Lines of

Compensation

As shown in figure 13.12, a horse’s center of gravity is located along the median plane at the level of the middle of the eighth rib. It is well known that during locomotion the horse chases its own center of gravity.This leaves one wondering about the internal forces at play inside the core of the body cavities and along the spine. Unfortunately, no scientific equine research on this particular topic is available, but common sense prevails.

Lines of Compensation

293

Figure 13.12 is a projection of the possible internal lines of compensation linking the center of gravity to the skull, shoulder, and hip articulations. Keep in mind that as these 6 lines of compensation converge at the same time to the center of gravity, they constantly influence each other in the overall determination of the horse’s balance.

Figure 13.13 is another projection of the internal lines of compensation, this time including both the transversal and the side lines of compensation.

Center of gravity

13.12 Internal Lines of Compensation

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Center of gravity

13.13 Internal Lines with Transversal and Side

Lines of Compensation

Internal Compensation from the Skull

The neck is an important section of the body as it governs the initiation and direction of the horse’s locomotion. Many of the equine disciplines such as dressage, jumping, polo, and reining really put a fair amount of stress over the neck structure. Any interference with the center of gravity will affect the neck’s deep ligaments, such as:

❖ The ligamentum nuchae

❖ The supraspinous and the infraspinous ligaments
Lines of Compensation

295

❖ The anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments

❖ The interspinous ligaments of the spine

It would also be seen in the neck flexor muscles, such as:

❖ The longus capitis

❖ The longus colli

❖ The sternocephalicus

❖ The brachiocephalicus

And the neck extensor muscles, such as:

❖ The splenius

❖ The trapezius

❖ The rhomboideus

❖ The longissimus cervicis

❖ The iliocostalis

Internal Compensation from the

Shoulders

The shoulders are another very important section of the body as they give the horse stability by supporting the neck, providing suspension, providing steering, and translating the power coming from the hind legs into locomotion. Again, any interference with the center of gravity will affect the shoulder muscle structure, especially its medial aspect, such as:

❖ The subscapularis

❖ The serratus ventralis cervicis and the serratus ventralis thoracis

❖ The rhomboideus

As well as other shoulder muscles like the:

❖ The latissimus dorsi