Equine Massage

 

LESSON SEVEN

 

PART TWO



A horse diagram with red lines

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I.   AREA BETWEEN LAST RIB AND POINT OF HIP (COXAL TUBER)                 

           

A Coloring Atlas – plates 16 and 17

   

 

      This one small area has a number of muscles attachments that are very important for the forward/backward swing of the hind legs, correct bending, lateral movements in the hind legs and canter departs.  The ones that you will be affecting the most with your massage are:

 

    1.  The muscle portion of the Tensor fascia latae

    2.  Iliacus (under the Tensor fascia latae)

    3.  External oblique

    4.  Internal oblique

    5.  Transverse abdominis

 

      Improper balance and tightness in this area can prevent the hindquarters from working correctly.  Often, what appears to be a problem with the working of the hind legs is actually tightness in this area (or in the loins).  



Techniques

 

     The best techniques will be direct pressure with thumb and finger tips, cross-fiber friction with thumb or braced fingers, and compression with a stiff rubber curry comb.  This whole area is very important, be sure to work all around the edge of the point of the hip, the area between the point of hip and the last rib and along the “ropy” edge of the Iliocostalis.  Again, adjust your pressure to the tightness or soreness of the area.




J.   AREA BEHIND THE SHOULDER

     

     1.   A Coloring Atlas – plates 16, 17, 21

     2.   Diagrams from lesson 2

 

      This area contains two very important forehand muscles – the thoracic Serratus and the muscle portion of the Latissimus dorsi.

 

 

• THORACIC SERRATUS

 

      The entire Serratus muscle, thoracic and cervical portions (in conjunction with the pectoral muscles of the chest) is active in lifting the forehand and arching the horse’s neck.  This muscle is composed of thirteen long slender “fingers” that converge into a muscle mass on the inside of the shoulder blade, at the top, just under the Rhomboid attachment.  These muscle “fingers” attach to the lowest four neck vertebrae (cervical 4, 5, 6, and 7) and the first nine ribs.  In our massage we can access all four of the cervical Serratus and those attaching to ribs 6 through 9.  Those attaching to the first five ribs are under the shoulder blade and not accessible, but your massage of the others, because of their common origin, will have a positive effect on these as well.

 

     When this muscle is working correctly, the contraction of its thoracic “fingers helps lift the front portion of the rib cage and, along with the abdominals, is a very important component in the process of lifting the horse’s back.

 

      If the Serratus is not contracting properly, the lower portion of the chest and neck sink downward and you’ll see a horse that is “on the forehand” and very possibly “down in the back” and “ewe-necked”.  

 

      Soreness in the thoracic Serratus is a common cause of girthing problems.

 

      The cervical portion of the Serratus lifts the downward curved section of the neck vertebrae (lower neck).  There will be more about the cervical Serratus in Section O—other neck muscles.

 

 

• LATISSIMUS DORSI

 

      The other important muscle in this area is the belly portion of the Latissimus dorsi.  This is a broad, flat, thin muscle.  Remember from lesson 2 that the portion that attaches to the vertebrae of the back is fascia (connective tissue) and the portion that attaches to the humerus in the lower shoulder is a tendon.  The belly of this muscle over-lays a portion of the thoracic serratus.

 

      This muscle is an extensor; its job is to stretch, allowing and supporting the forward swing of the front leg; then it contracts as the leg swings back.  Any tightness, soreness, spasms, trigger points or adhesions in this muscle will interfere with the full swing of a front leg.

 

Techniques

     Massage done over the area behind the shoulder will loosen and rebalance both the thoracic Serratus and the belly of the Latissimus dorsi.

 

     Notice that the muscle fibers of these two muscles go in different directions.  As you massage, when you’re going with the fibers of one, you’ll be going across the fibers of the other; so almost any direction in your massage will be beneficial.

 

     Start with broad strokes of back and forth friction and deep effleurage over the entire area.  Circular motions and compression are also very effective.

 

     You can usually use a good amount of pressure here unless the area is very sore.  Tools like a small stiff curry comb or Grooma work well, but the area is too “fleshy” for muscles combing to be a good choice.

 

     Soreness in this area can come from over-extension of the front legs (extended trots, jumping), but also from poor saddle fit and girthing procedures.




K.    WITHERS        

   

          A Coloring Atlas – plate 17      

 

      The area over the withers has attachments for two important muscles.  One is the Trapezius of the superficial layer, which I’ll talk about with the shoulder area.  The other muscle, under the Trapezius, is the Rhomboid.  The Rhomboid covers the withers and also stretches up the crest line of the neck to the poll.

 

     The Rhomboid has two essential functions.  First, it attaches the top of the shoulder blade to the withers.  The shoulder blade hangs suspended from the withers by this muscle, making it the pivot point for the swing of the shoulder blade.

 

     Its other function, in conjunction with deep ligaments, is to support the neck along the crest line and facilitate its stretch.  Massaging the neck portion of the Rhomboid will be part of the section dealing with the neck.

 

     At the withers, the Rhomboid is a short, strong muscle; its origin attaches directly to the bones of the withers (the spinous processes or ribs 2 – 6).  Its insertion is to the top of shoulder blade, on the inside surface.

 

     Common reasons for soreness in the withers are a saddle that does not fit correctly or one that has been placed too far forward over the withers.  A saddles that is so wide or ill-fitting that it touches and puts pressure on the wither bones can lame a horse, sometimes permanently.  The presence of white hairs on the withers often indicates that there has been, or is, a saddle problem.



Techniques

 

      The muscle fibers run straight from the withers to the shoulder blade.  You can use techniques that go with or across the muscle fibers.  Working across the fibers will separate them, going with the fibers helps them stretch.

 

     Friction works very well in this small area, but compression and muscle combing are also appropriate.  Depending on whether this muscle is tight or sore, you can use either your finger tips or curry comb.

 

     One technique that I like involves reaching over the withers and pulling toward me with finger tips.  This would be using a combination of finger tip compression and rocking.

 

     Another effective rocking technique for the withers has you placing one hand on the side of the neck just in front of the withers, the other hand reaches over the withers, hooking fingers into the wither bones.  Now, push against the neck and pull the withers toward you.  Set up a rocking motion by alternating the push and pull.  

 

     These rocking techniques also loosen other muscles in the forehand and base of the neck and will help in balancing the forehand.




L.  BELLY LINE  

       

    If you have “An Atlas of Animal Anatomy for Artist” by Ellenberger, Dittrick and Baum, there is a very good diagram showing a view of the belly/chest of the horse.

 

     This section deals with massaging the entire underline of the horse, but I have divided it into chest muscles and abdominal muscles.

 

(L – 1)  Chest muscles – behind, between and in front of the forelegs

(L – 2)  Groin and abdominal muscles

 

    The major muscles of the belly line, both pectorals and abdominals, are flexors—their job is to contract.  

 

• L – 1    THE CHEST MUSCLES (pectorals)

 

         Three of the horse’s four pectorals are in this area (the fourth is in front of the shoulder blade).  These pectorals are flexors that support the rib cage from the bottom and both stabilize and allow movement of the front legs.  Frequently these muscles, as well as the abdominals, are tight in an extended state and do not contract properly.

 

         When these pectorals are in that extended state, without good capacity for contraction, they allow the rib cage to settle downward, preventing them from doing their part in elevating the forehand for collection.  Your job will be to loosen these muscles so that they can contract and extend correctly.

 

         The three pectorals all have their origin along the edge of the breast bone (sternum) and all three attach at different places on the humerus.  You will find different names for these pectorals in various anatomy books.  For my purpose of describing them for you and to simplify and avoid confusion, I will talk about them in relationship to the forelegs.  You can choose which of the anatomical names you wish to use for them.  (I am describing these muscles just on one side of the horse, but you understand that they occur on both sides.)

 

         There is a pectoral behind the forelegs, one between the forelegs and one in front of the forelegs.

 

Massage Techniques

A.  Pectoral behind the forelegs – this is a fairly long muscle that starts in the area near the elbow and runs back along the belly line to the end of the rib cage.  The muscles fibers also run in this direction.

 

                   1. First, with finger tips, use deep pressure where this muscle attaches to the breast bone (sternum).

 

                   2. Next, with your hand or rubber curry, use deep effleurage or broad (rather than finger tip) friction over the entire surface of the muscle, going with and across the fibers.

 

                   3. If the muscle is very tight, do some muscle combing with one of the tools.

 

B.   Pectoral between the forelegs – this is a short, broad muscle that goes from the inside of the humerus to the breast bone.  If it is tight, its attachment on the inside of the elbow can inhibit the forward swing of the humerus.  You will want to pay attention to releasing tension at this point.

 

                   1. Use finger tip deep pressure where this muscles attaches to the breast bone.

 

                   2. Do friction on the inside of the elbow, up along the inside of the humerus and across the muscle between the humerus and breast bone.

 

                   3. This muscle also goes down into the foreleg, attaching to the radius.  

 

C.   Pectoral in front of the forelegs – looking at the horse from the front you’ll see it as a “fleshy” muscle—what we think of as the chest muscle.  

 

                   1. Use deep finger tip pressure along the breast bone attachment.  You will be able to feel the front point of the breast bone—work from that point down to the front legs.

 

                   2. Do friction where this muscle attaches to the humerus.

 

                   3. Do kneading in the fleshy part of the muscles.

 

      Once these muscles have been loosened by massage, there are some finger pressure techniques that I use to confirm that the muscles can now contract properly and lift the forehand.  These techniques also allow the horse to become aware of new possibilities in the way its muscles can work.

 

Techniques for Raising the Chest.  

      The following maneuvers will raise the horse’s back behind the withers (under the saddle).  You will be working on the pectoral behind the front legs.

 

    1. Stand facing the horse’s side.  Starting where the muscle     attaches at the end of the rib cage, put your fingers into the muscle a few inches away from the breast bone.  Use your thumb or braced fingers to push up into the muscle, then push forward, going toward the front of the horse.  Your pressure needs to be up as well as forward.  You want to feel like you’re actually pushing the back up; and you want to see the back rise, even if only a small amount—but you would like to see it rise a lot.  If the horse’s back doesn’t give some lift, do more massage work on these pectorals, especially muscle combing, and try again.

 

    2. Now, go to the other side of the horse and reach just across the mid-line of the belly (your fingers will be on the side you have been working on).  Push up into the muscle with your finger tips and then pull toward you.  Repeat this, moving your fingers forward along the edge of the breast bone from mid-belly to the front legs.  Again, you want to feel and see the area behind the withers (under the saddle) rise.

 

    3. Repeat this on the other side.

 

Technique for Raising the Withers.  

     For this maneuver you will be working on the pectoral between the front legs.  It requires that you use both hands.  When it is combined with the techniques for raising the horse’s back behind the withers, the entire forehand will elevate.

 

        1. Place one hand at the back edge of this muscle, put the other at the front of the muscle.

 

         2. Using thumb pressure, one hand is going to slide into the pectoral, coming from the back; the other will slide between the legs, coming from the front.

 

        3. Press upward into the muscle and then push your thumbs toward each other.

 

        4. Your thumbs should meet between the front legs with upward pushing pressure.

 

         5. Push up with both thumbs.  This upward pressure should cause the horse to lift its withers.  You should feel and see the withers rise.

 

         6. Repeat on the other side.

 

     These chest muscles can be extremely tight on many horses.  If these techniques do not lift the forehand, go back and do more massage work on the muscles.

 

• L – 2    GROIN AND ABDOMINAL MUSCLES

 

      I have left describing massage in the groin and belly muscles until now because of safety considerations.  Many equine massage routines do not deal with this area at all, but doing so is very important for bringing all of the parts of the horse together into a working whole.  It cannot be ignored.  But it is important for you to know how to work in this area safely.

 

     When a horse feels a touch in the belly, kicking at that touch is a common reaction; be prepared for that.  Some horses will just pick up a foot, some will kick up toward their belly, some will kick out at you.  With horses that you do not know, it is safer to let the horse get accustomed to pressure on its belly line by first working in the chest area (as well as on the adductors) before going to the abdominals and groin.  But once the horse is comfortable with pressure in this area, you can do either chest or abdominals first, depending upon what seems appropriate for the horse’s problem.  Whether you work on this area in a first massage is really a judgment call based on a horse’s degree of soreness, where the major problem is and the sensitivity level of the horse.  If they’re defensive about this area at first, they will usually let you work there in your second session.

 

     We are dealing with three major muscles in this area – the Internal oblique, the Rectus abdominis and the lower edge of the External oblique.

 

            A Coloring Atlas – plates 16 and 17.

 

• Internal oblique

     The Internal oblique goes from the point of the hip down to the center of the belly line in the area we call the groin.  It is triangular in shape and acts as a “sling”, supporting the intestines.

 

• Rectus abdominis

      The Rectus abdominis is a strong flexor and is important for the support of the horse’s back.  I have not seen an equine anatomy book that has a good diagram of the Rectus abdominis; they all show just the abdominal fascia that covers the entire abdominal area, with a cut-away showing the Internal oblique.  Diagrams of the human Rectus abdominis will give a good picture of what this muscle also looks like on the horse.

 

     It’s composed of two long muscles on either side of the center line of the belly.  They run the length of the belly from attachments on the rib cage to the front of the pubic bone.  In massaging the Rectus abdominis you will be working through the abdominal fascia.  The only portion of the Rectus abdominis we cannot access easily is that which is under the sheath or teats.  

 

     When the Rectus abdominis is working correctly, the contractions lift the horse’s back and pull the pelvic bone down.  This allows the hind legs to swing forward under the body, giving them more thrust and power.

 

• The External oblique

     This is a very thin muscle that covers the sides of the horse’s rib cage.  Its lower edge connects to the abdominal fascia.  Tightness along the lower edge of this muscle inhibits the movement of the rib cage and the expansion of the lungs.  This edge is the tight line we see in horses that have heaves.     

 

Techniques

      The skin in the abdominal area is sensitive, the only place were tools would be appropriate would be along the lower edge of the External oblique.

 

      I have two positions I use when standing next to a horse to do massage in the groin.  One is to stand close, next to the hind leg, either facing the horse or facing somewhat forward.  I will have one forearm (the right if I’m working on the left side) lying on the horse’s side just above the stifle.  In this way I can exert downward pressure on the stifle if the horse tries to lift the leg or kick.  Sometimes I will stand forward of the stifle, facing the horse’s belly, so that I can bring a hand into the forward portion of the belly and work backward.  You’re more exposed to a kick from a hind leg when you’re in this position so it’s best to wait to use this approach until the horse is comfortable with belly line work.  

 

Work in the Groin (Internal oblique)

 

        1. You will have already done work around the stifle when you worked on the quadriceps, so start by touching the outside of the stifle, then slide your hand to the inside of the stifle, allowing the back of your hand to touch the abdomen. This is the horse’s introduction to your touch.  The muscle under the fascia here is the Internal oblique.  You will use your finger tips, the heel of your hand or the back of your fist in your work.

 

        2. Using with finger tips, you will first do connective tissue massage on the fascia.  Start near the stifle and move up the groin with a gliding pressure, moving toward the pubic bone area.  Remember—this is the techniques where you want to feel like you’re moving toothpaste around in a tube.  Repeat until you feel the area soften a little.

 

        3. Now, working in the same area, use more pressure in order to affect the muscle under the fascia.  You can use the heel of your hand, the fist or heavier finger pressure.  When the horse responds to this pressure, you will feel the area lift slightly.  

 

        4. Next, using the same gliding pressure, start next to the stifle and work forward toward the rib cage and downward toward the belly line.  You can now use heavier pressure—use as much as the horse allows.  I will stand either with my shoulder against the stifle and work toward the rib cage, or sometimes I find it easier to stand more toward the shoulder, facing to the rear, and work from the rib cage toward the stifle.  The choice will really depend on how the horse responds to what you’re doing.

 

Work on the External oblique

        1. Work along the lower edge of this muscle using deep effleurage, compression and broad stroke friction.  Start at the point of the hip and work toward the elbow.  You can use heavy pressure along this line and a stiff curry comb works well.

 

Work on the Rectus abdominis

        1. Do connective tissue massage first, using finger tip pressure along the length of the muscle from its rib attachments to the sheath or teats.  In a male horse, you can usually work along the sides of the sheath.  A mare might allow you to do some pressure work between the teats.

 

        2. Next, you will use heavier, upward pressure that will affect the muscle, using your thumbs, fingers or fist.  

 

       3. The last thing that you will do in this area is ask the horse to lift its back behind the saddle.  (Your work on the pectorals lifted the back under the saddle.)  You’ll use the same technique as you did for lifting the chest and withers.  Stand on one side of the horse, reach across the center line of the belly and, with finger tips, push up into the muscle and pull toward you.  You can use one or both hands to do this.  Do this in a number of places along the belly line.  Rocking the torso at the same time can help the lift.




M.   SHOULDER

      

       A Coloring Atlas – plates 16 and 17

 

There are five important muscles in the shoulder area.

        1. Supraspinatus

        2. Infraspinatus

        3. Deltoids

        4. Triceps

        5. the fourth pectoral

 

    1. SUPRASPINATUS and 2. INFRASPINATUS

 

     These muscles lie on the surface of the shoulder blade, one on either side of the spine of the shoulder blade and are covered by the Trapezius and the Deltoid.  These are long muscles that are almost totally attached to the shoulder blade.  Their insertion is to the head of the humerus, which is just a short distance away.  This means that there is only a small portion of these muscles that has the capacity for good contraction and extension.  Their major job is to support and stabilize the shoulder joint as it opens and closes.  They are subject to both stress points and trigger points.

 

Techniques

      It is easy to work on these muscles through the Trapezius and Deltoid.  There are a number of massage techniques that work well here.  Because there is bone behind them, you can separate the muscle fibers by pushing the muscles against the bone.  Compression and deep effleurage are good techniques for doing this.  Friction and muscle combing are also effective techniques for this area.  Work primarily up and down these muscles, rather than across—go with the muscle fibers.  You can use your hands or tools.  Use deep static pressure on any small areas of intense soreness such as trigger and stress points.

 

    2. DELTOID

 

      The Deltoid is part of the superficial layer and over-lays the Infraspinatus.  It is also involved with stabilizing and controlling the opening and closing of the shoulder joint.  Its fibers run in the same direction as the Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus

 

Techniques

     All of the massage that you do for the Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus will also be affecting the Deltoid.

 

    4. TRICEPS

 

     The Triceps is an extensor muscle.  It stretches as the muscles in the chest (flexors) pull the humerus forward.  Its contraction returns the humerus to its normal anatomical position.

 

Techniques

      The Triceps is a large, fleshy muscle that will respond well to compression (especially “compress and glide”) and kneading.  You can go across the fibers and with the fibers.  You may find small, sore spots (chunky peanut butter) in the muscle.  If so, use deep, static pressure as for stress and trigger points.

 

    5. 4th PECTORAL

 

      I discussed three of the pectoral muscles under Section L (Chest Muscles).  This fourth pectoral lies just in front of the shoulder blade and runs in the same direction as the Supraspinatus and Infraspinatus.  This is a very strong muscle whose contraction is important in opening the shoulder joint and pulling the bottom of the shoulder blade forward.  Its origin is on the breast bone (sternum) along with the other three pectorals.  It wraps around the shoulder joint and inserts on the top portion of the shoulder blade.  In horses that are tight in their shoulders and lower neck, it will feel like a tight, hard “rope” in front of the shoulder blade.

 

Techniques

     This is not an easy muscle to massage effectively.  The massage that you do on the portion in front of the shoulder will be preparation for getting this muscle to release, but you won’t really see result until you release tension in the chest and lower neck.  On the portion in front of the shoulder blade do compression and friction, going across as well as with the fibers.  The massage that you do along the breast bone (sternum) for the other pectorals will also loosen this part of this 4th pectoral.

 

 

N.   RHOMBOIDS—NECK SECTION

      

     A Coloring Atlas – plate 17

 

      As the horse’s neck arcs out into space, it needs strong support muscles and ligaments to keep it from being dragged down by the weight of the head.  The Rhomboid is one of the muscles that do this job.

 

      The part of the Rhomboid muscle across the withers not only forms the attachment for the top of the shoulder blade, but also forms the attachment for its neck portion as it stretches all the way up the crest line.

 

      The Rhomboid connection to the shoulder blades as well as to the crest line of the neck explains why tight, restricted shoulder movement and stiffness in the crest line seem to go together.  Riders often find that if they can get the shoulders moving, the neck will loosen and stretch; or, if they can get the neck to stretch, the shoulders will swing better.

 

Techniques

      The neck portion of the Rhomboid is an easy muscle to massage.  It is part of the second muscle layer, but the superficial muscle that covers it, the Trapezius, is quite thin.

 

     You can massage across or with the fibers.  Friction across the fibers will be very effective in the portion closest to the withers.  When going up the crest line, massage with the fibers, using deep effleurage, “compress and glide” or broad stroke, back and forth, friction.  A stiff rubber curry is very effective on this muscle.

 

     Horses usually enjoy this crest line work and you’ll see them stretch their necks as you go up the muscle.

 

     You may find sore or hard spots as you go.  These could be trigger points, scar tissue or adhesions—often from fights or play with other horses.  Deep cross-fiber friction is the best technique for scar tissue and adhesions; static pressure for trigger points.

 

     This muscle is an extensor and it should stretch fully from its anchor at the withers, but on some horses you may see a dip just in front of the withers.  This dip indicates a tightness in the muscle (and the ligaments underneath) at that point that prevents the complete outward arc and stretch of the neck.  This dip can vary from a slight curve to a deep, sharp dip.  The deeper the dip, the more significant is the constriction.

 

     After a general loosening of the entire Rhomboid, you can use deep friction with thumb and fingers and muscle combing to do specific work on this constriction.  After this deep work that separates the muscle fibers, you can finish with some rocking.  But you need to know that the massage work is only part of the solution to this problem.  These muscles and ligament are incredibly strong and do not change easily.  Lifting the chest and back and teaching the horse to move forward from behind is the only way to get this area to truly stretch, and this takes time.  Usually, it will take six months to a year before you will see this area fill in.  You will need to be able to explain this to your client.      

 

 

TRAPEZIUS

 

      I have not discussed massage for the Trapezius because it is a thin muscle whose primary job is to hold the shoulder blade against the rib cage.  Problems that affect the swing of the shoulder blade are almost always going to be in the deeper level.  If there is some restriction in the Trapezius, it will usually get worked out as you massage the deeper muscles.  This is true for the thoracic (rib cage) portion of the Trapezius (the part under the saddle) as well as the cervical (neck) portion.




O.  OTHER NECK MUSCLES

     

     A Coloring Atlas – plates 16 and 17

 

      The three muscles in the rest of the neck (not crest line muscles) on which I concentrate my massage are:

 

        1. Brachiocephalicus

        2. Cervical Serratus

        3. Splenius

 

     These are large muscles with important functions and they are readily accessible for massage.

 

     There are many other muscles in the neck that are important for its correct functioning, but most are deep and not accessible for direct massage.  As the massage loosens and rebalances the ones we can access, it will also have a positive effect on the deeper ones.

 

    1. BRACHIOCEPHALECUS

 

       All through this course I have stressed the many similarities between horse and human anatomy and suggested that you try placing and moving your own body in the same way as a horse in order to experience some of the stresses and tensions the horse’s body may be feeling.  But I cannot find any muscle in the human body that corresponds to the Brachiocephalicus.

 

      This is a long, fairly wide muscle that has its origin at the poll, just behind the ear.  It goes down the neck vertebrae, passes over the shoulder joint and inserts on the humerus, about mid-way between the elbow and the shoulder joint.  To hold it in place over this distance, it has attachments on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th neck vertebrae and on the shoulder blade.

 

      This muscle is a flexor; when it contracts, it pulls the shoulder and head closer together and arches the neck.  A horse standing or just moving in natural posture does not give you a good chance to see this muscle at work.  Horses that are “working through their backs” will show this muscle contracting as the top line of the neck stretches.  Two ways to see this muscle working to its maximum are to watch horses jumping large fences (particularly in the take-off phase) and in high collection.  

 

      The crest line muscles are the extensor companions to the Brachiocephalicus.  If they are tight and do not lengthen well, it will interfere with the correct working of the Brachiocephalicus.  This muscle also works in concert with the Serratus to elevate the chest.

 

Techniques

      This is a broad muscle that is readily accessible to massage from its origin to its insertion.  You can use any number of techniques on it.  The best would be those that push into the muscle and then move up the neck from the shoulder to the poll.  Some of these could be:

 

    1. deep effleurage up the entire neck, separating muscle fibers by pushing the muscle against the neck vertebrae

 

        2. regular compression and compression of the “press and glide” type

 

    3. back and forth friction, working up and down the muscle,  going across the fibers as well as with the fibers

 

      A stiff curry comb or Grooma type tool works very well on this muscle, especially when separating muscle fibers by pressing the muscle against the bones of the neck.

 

      You may feel tight spots in this muscle as you work over the lower neck vertebrae.  This is rarely a problem in the Brachiocephalicus, but rather it is usually in the cervical attachments of the Serratus.

 

      If a horse reacts to your work on this muscle with acute sensitivity and pain there is a good possibility that the neck vertebrae are out of alignment and a chiropractor needs to look at the horse.  Loosening the neck muscles may sometimes correct minor misalignments, but if the sensitivity persist suggest that the owner call a chiropractor.

 

      There is important work to be done at the poll attachments of the Brachiocephalicus, but I’ll discus this with the massage work on the head, jaw and poll.

 

CERVICAL SERRATUS MUSCLES

       

        A Coloring Atlas – plate 17

 

      The cervical portion of the Serratus attaches to the lower four neck vertebrae (C 4, 5, 6 and 7) and is a very important part of the complex of muscles that lift the forehand and extend and arch the neck.  It does its part by contracting and lifting the curve in the lower neck vertebrae.  With most muscles, correct function is usually inhibited by the muscle being overly contracted and too tight.  This is not the case with the Serratus.  When the Serratus “fingers” are not working correctly, they lack tone and do not contract to lift the lower neck vertebrae and the rib cage.  If you see hollow areas in the lower neck, just in front of the shoulders, you will know that this muscle is slack and lacks tone; it is not engaging and doing its job.

 

     This muscle is also very important for lateral flexion and bending in the lower neck.

 

      Review section J (Area Behind the Shoulder) for a more complete description of this muscle and its function.

 

SPLENIUS

 

     The Splenius is a broad muscle whose origin is at the withers.  It fans out to fill the space on the side of the neck above the cervical Serratus.  It attaches to the poll at the occipital bone (behind the ears), to the Atlas (1st vertebrae) and to the 3rd, 4th and 5th vertebrae.  It is important for both lateral and longitudinal flexion of the upper portion of the neck and the head.  I will discuss its function in more detail in the section on the head, but the general massage work that you do for the neck will loosen the bulk of this muscle.

 

Techniques

      There are three types of massage that you’ll do on the sides of the neck in the space between the vertebrae and the crest line.

 

        1. You will do general massage for the entire area.  This will cover the Splenius in the upper portion as well as the Serratus in the lower part.  You will be affecting many other muscles, but these two are large, close to the surface and are major support muscles.  You’ll use deep effleurage, circular or back and forth friction, compression, compress and glide and perhaps some muscle combing.  You can do all of these with your hands or with tools

 

       I usually start at the base of the neck and work upward toward the head.  This general work will loosen the muscles and prepare them for both longitudinal and lateral flexion.  This approach would have you working across the fibers of both the Serratus and Splenius.

 

         2. The second type of massage you’ll do will be to release constrictions and possible adhesions where the Serratus and Splenius attach to the neck vertebrae.  This will be particularly important for the Serratus attachments.  You’ll use direct thumb and finger cross-fiber friction and deep, static thumb and finger pressure along the top edge of the neck vertebrae where these muscles attach.  You may need to use a lot of pressure against the vertebrae.

 

         3. The third is a group of techniques you’ll use for lateral flexion in the base of the neck.  These techniques will be various types of Positional Release and Rocking.  Review these  techniques from lesson 6.  Do the Positional Release first and finish with the Rocking.

 

    Positional Release

 

     A horse with tight Serratus muscles usually has the lower part of its neck braced on both sides.  You’ll see this as “lumps” on the sides of the neck where the Serratus attach to the vertebrae.  The two Positional Release techniques that I’ll describe will release this tension.  Positional Release and Rocking should be done after the other neck massage work.

 

     Positional Release #1 – This form of Positional Release is shown in photos in lesson 6.  The horse will need the freedom to bring its neck around toward its side, so it will need to be untied.  As my example, I’ll describe Positional Release on the left side.

 

      Face the left side of the horse’s neck.  With your left hand on the halter, put your right hand (fingers or fist) along the top edge of these lower neck vertebrae (C-4, 5 and 6; you can’t reach 7).  Push the neck away from you as you bring the horse’s head around toward you.  You will need to hold the horse’s head in place as you push the neck away.    

 

      Be prepared to have to use a lot of pressure in pushing the neck away.  Use some deep pushing pressure with thumb or fist and some short stroke friction to get this portion of the neck to yield.

 

      The aim is to release the tension where the Serratus attach to the vertebrae.  You’ll be pushing the neck away from you, out to the right, causing the right side to stretch around to the left.  When this stretch occurs, the head will come around toward the horse’s left shoulder or ribs without you having to hold it there.  This releases the tightness on both sides.  The left side (because of the massage work) has gained the capacity to contract and the right side lengthens.  Repeat on the other side.  Try to get the horse to hold this position for 5-10 seconds.

 

       Sometimes the horse will start circling, just go with it and keep the pressure on.  The circling helps the release.

 

      Positional Release #2 – This is essentially the opposite of Positional Release #1 in that the horse will bend its neck away from you.  I did not show photos of this in lesson 6.

 

     For this, again (as my example) you’ll stand on the left side of the horse, facing the left shoulder.  You are going to reach under the neck with one of your hands; you can use either hand to do this, whichever is most comfortable for you.  If you reach under the neck with your right hand, your left hand will be on the horse’s halter, but instead of pulling the head toward you it will be there to encourage the head to go to the right as the neck begins to bend to the right.  If you use your left hand to reach under, use your right hand to stabilize the withers and keep the horse from moving.

 

     Now, with the one hand, reach under the neck and “dig in” with you fingers on the upper edge of C-4, 5 and 6.  Pull toward you; you’ll probably have to use a lot of pressure.  The horse should arch its neck around to the right, bringing its nose around to its shoulder or ribs.  Try to get the horse to hold the position for 5-10 seconds.  Occasionally, the horse will stretch the neck down to the right, rather than around.  It’s not quite as good a stretch, but it may be the best the horse can give.  Do this exercise from both sides.

 

     This technique requires a lot of finger strength, but there are a couple of reasons for doing it.  First, because the horse’s neck is bending away from you, it will be able to stretch around in a long smooth arc without your body being in the way.

 

     Second, since the neck vertebrae have only muscles and ligaments (no bones) for support, it is very easy for the vertebrae to be pulled out of alignment.  This misalignment usually requires a chiropractic adjustment; but occasionally the misalignment may only be slight and caused by an uneven tension between muscles that hold the vertebrae in place.  This particular technique will sometimes release that tension and you will feel and hear the vertebrae settle back into place.  It’s not something you are trying to do—we DO NOT do chiropractic adjustments—but it does happen sometimes.  So, if you hear this “pop”, don’t worry that you’ve done something wrong.  Usually the horse will tell you it was a good thing by chewing and giving a big sigh.  If the misalignment is in the vertebrae themselves, not caused by muscle imbalances, this technique will not correct it.

 

    Rocking

 

    Rocking is a technique that can be used effectively to break up tension and bracing between the different parts of the horse’s body and can be used at any time during a massage.  Because the neck is “hanging out in space”, rocking can be quite effective at loosening neck tension.  It is particularly effective at loosening the joint between the last neck vertebra and the first vertebra of the rib cage.  It also makes a nice finishing touch at the end of a massage.  Below are two different forms of rocking that I use often on the neck.

 

     Rocking #1 – Stand near the head of the horse, facing the neck.  Place a hand on either side of the lower neck where you see the neck braced; usually this will be where the neck joins the shoulder or over the “lumps” of the 3rd and 4th vertebrae.  Push the neck back and forth with your hands, setting up a nice smooth rhythm that gets the whole neck rocking.

 

      Rocking #2 – This form of rocking moves the base of the neck in relationship to the shoulder portion of the rib cage.  It’s meant to loosen the junction between the last neck vertebra (C-7) and the first thoracic, or rib, vertebra (T-1).  Restriction at this joint does not allow independent movement between the neck and rib cage and inhibits bending and lateral flexion of the neck.  

 

     My example is from the left side of the horse, but because this sometimes works better from one side than the other, do it from both sides.  Stand on the left side of the horse, facing the shoulder. Hold the underside of the neck, somewhere in the lower half, with your left hand.  Lay your right forearm diagonally across the left side of the horse’s rib cage, grasping the withers with your right hand.  You want to set up a rocking motion between the lower neck and the withers by pushing and pulling between these two points.  If the withers don’t move, use your forearm to move the rib cage.  Occasionally, with very stiff horses, I’ve used elbow pressure in the space between the ribs to get the rocking started.        

 

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