Equine Biomechanics, Structural Integration Therapy and Restoring Optimal Athleticism, Part 1

April E. Johnston, MSc.

Riders are often in search of ways to help their equine partners be more comfortable, athletic, and competitive. When horses struggle with balance, declining performance, lack of suppleness, soreness, and intermittent lameness, owners try a whole host of remedies. New tack, different shoes, new training technique, supplements and alternative medicine may result in a temporary improvement followed by resumption of the problem. In the end, the frustrated owner often gives up on their dream with their equine partner, and either changes their expectations or moves on to a new horse.  There can be an overlooked culprit of many of the symptoms described above: myofascial connective tissue system (see our equine myofascial release course) adhesions and the resulting compensatory movement patterns. In this series of articles, I will explain some basic biomechanics of the ridden horse, the role of connective tissue, and why the best training, well fitted saddles, talented farriers and well known successful alternative practices like chiropractic and massage may be only part of the solution in addressing this issue. In addition, I will explain the purpose and protocol for Equine Structural Integration Therapy and how it differs from other modalities.

The Classic Equine in Motion and the Importance of Proper Muscle Development

Classical equitation principles emphasize the enhanced expression of the horses’ three natural gaits, walk, trot, and canter. The underlying principles of classical equitation are focused around the ability of the horse to engage the spine and hindquarters as the primary means of propulsion and movement. When a horse is carrying itself in this way, it is reflected throughout the body. There is a graceful rainbow-shaped overall arch to the horse’s frame. The back is lifted, the hindquarters are gathered directly underneath or even slightly in front of the croup, and the shoulders and neck are carried lightly by the power generated from the barrel and hind end. The neck is gracefully arched, with the poll at the highest point, and the shoulders, because they are not bearing the full brunt of the horses’ weight, appear unburdened and free to move with graceful long strides. 

The weight of the horses’ barrel is naturally designed to be suspended from the spine, that is, the spine holds up the weight of the barrel. Equestrians ask their horse's spines to become weight bearing structures, which is out of sync with the spine’s normal function. This makes the horse's back highly vulnerable to strain and injury. To develop the topline muscling that will allow the horse to safely carry a rider with graceful and powerful forward movement, the belly must contract, lifting the back and the neck conversely lowers down and out as the back lifts, and the hind legs are able to reach fully under the body and powerfully move the horse forward. The long back muscles along either side of the spine do not lift the back but rather are involved with the forward propulsion of the horse with the movement of each hind leg. All riders who work on their equitation usually have this picture in their minds' eye; it is the light self-carriage and impulsion we all work towards. 

Horses that are not fully utilizing their “rear wheel drive” system often have overdeveloped under muscle on the neck, or simply a complete lack of muscular development in the neck.  Under-neck muscling will indicate a horse with considerable back and pelvic tension.  When the head is held high, the back must drop down, and the hindquarters cannot effectively engage, leaving the horse unable to achieve self-carriage. The gaits are choppy and short due to the hind legs inability to reach under the horses’ barrel.  These horses are often referred to as “upside down” and are the horses that must relax into their work and take a great deal of skillful riding during exercise to be able to release their toplines. Upon physical exam, these horses will have chronic soreness in the spine behind the saddle area (sensitive even to light grooming), are cinchy/girthy, and have very tight upper necks and polls.  The connective tissue system's role is imperative in supporting body alignment and movement or it will support Imbalance!

The resulting musculature and posture of any body, horse or human, indicates patterns developed in the connective tissue (ligaments, tendons, and fascia) that reinforces and supports a given body position. Most people understand the concept of muscle memory, however, a more accurate representation of this phenomena is referred to as “fascia memory”. One might ask, “Why is this distinction important, and what does it have to do with releasing my horses' maximum athletic potential?” It is important because releasing myofascial compensation patterns (think, “fascia memory”) is not often able to be addressed with massage and chiropractic alone. If not specifically addressed, the fascia of the body will continue to restrict and bind free movement of the horse within hours or days after the equine massage therapist or chiropractor leaves your barn. This is one reason why horses (and people) tend to “go out” in the same places over and over. Likewise, even when a rider engages in a training program emphasizing correct biomechanics, they find their horse (and themselves) are usually consistently stiff and tighter on one side than another. Again, fascia, not muscle weakness, is the most often the culprit. 

In my next article, we will explore fascia compared to “connective tissue” and the importance relating to your horse’s overall balance and movement. 

April Johnston is a former research scientist who re-trained as an equine structural integration practitioner in 2008. She has been teaching equine bodywork since 2010. In 2015 she and Dr. Kelleyerin Clabaugh, DVM co-founded The Equine Institute, which has three science-based programs in equine fascial integration therapy, veterinary technology education and horse owner education.  More about April and The Equine Institute can be found at www.equineinstitute.org.