18/09/2024
Understanding Your Horseās Breathing.
Today, I want to discuss an essential yet often overlooked aspect of equine health: the horseās diaphragm. What is it, why is it significant, and what happens when tension or pain arises? How can we help?
This topic is particularly close to my heart because my mare, Paris, has faced ongoing diaphragm-related issues. It took me a while to understand that tension in certain muscle areas was impacting her diaphragm, causing her to frequently hold her breathāespecially during challenging exercises. This tension spread throughout her body, significantly affecting her performance and well-being.
The diaphragm is a dome-shaped, musculotendinous structure located in the center of the body. It separates the thoracic cavity, which houses the heart and lungs, from the abdominal cavity containing organs like the stomach, intestines, liver, and kidneys. By stabilizing these organs and connecting soft tissue to the skeleton through fascia and muscle, the diaphragm plays a crucial role in overall function. It has both direct and indirect links to the heart, lungs, abdominal muscles, sternum, ribs, and hip muscles (particularly the psoas group). The diaphragmās flexibility and elasticity are vital for effective breathing and overall body function.
When a horse inhales, the diaphragm contracts downward, creating negative pressure that allows the lungs to expand and draw in air. However, if the muscles around the diaphragm are tense, its flexibility and elasticity are compromised. This restriction prevents the lungs from fully expanding, leading to irregular breathing patterns. Such irregularities can result in reduced oxygen supply to the blood, which ultimately affects all vital organs and tissues, diminishing performance and impacting overall metabolism. Additionally, a lack of oxygen affects muscle function, creating a vicious cycle: tension restricts the diaphragm, causing irregular breathing, which leads to oxygen deprivation, further pain, and increased tension. Itās crucial to recognize these breathing irregularities and address their root causes rather than simply trying to push through them.
Tension in or around the diaphragm is especially noticeable during the canter. While we often assume that horses breathe similarly to humans by expanding and contracting their chests, they actually have a different breathing mechanism. At rest, in walk, and in trot, horses do utilize chest expansion. This is most apparent when they are blowing hard after intense exercise. However, during canter and gallop, all air movement relies on the diaphragm. If tension restricts the diaphragmāperhaps due to tightness in the backāit becomes particularly evident in the canter. Signs of this tension may include the horse holding its breath or making muffled grunting sounds instead of maintaining steady, rhythmic breaths that correspond with their strides.
When a horse carries tension in or around its diaphragmāwhich is quite commonāit struggles to fully relax its body. It often feels as if the horse is holding back; I certainly felt that my mare was always on edge. The canter was especially problematic, and it was only when I focused on what felt āoffā that I realized the issue was related to her breathing. During transitions, it seemed like she took a deep breath but never released it, leading to a canter that was nearly impossible for me to sit comfortably. Instead of moving forward, we felt like we were going more "up," with her chest lifting and her back hollowing out. It lacked the fluidity of a free, forward canter, and instead, it felt as if she was awkwardly skipping. Plus, with her holding her breath, she couldnāt sustain the canter for more than a circle.
Other signs that the diaphragm isnāt functioning properly may include the horse kicking or pinning its ears back when touched around the stomach or chest. You might also notice signs of stress or irritability during saddling or girthing. The horse may be hesitant to respond to forward aids and often feels tense, never truly āletting goā during rides, which can manifest as a lack of suppleness. Additionally, you might find that the horse is reluctant to bend, making it difficult to achieve and maintain a relaxed hind end, as well as struggling with lateral movements.
What Can We Do to Help?
To address breathing difficulties in horses, itās essential to recognize that these issues can stem from both mental/ emotional stress and physical tension. Keep an open mind when analysing the causes, as psychological and physical factors can be intertwined.
Take some time to observe when you notice breathing problems and look for patterns. For instance, with my mare Paris, her breathing issues were particularly evident during the canter, especially on the left rein. It worsened when I asked her for a shorter frame and was more pronounced in the presence of other horses in the arena.
By reflecting on these patterns, we can start to differentiate between psychological and physical factors. For Paris, the presence of other horses clearly stressed her, so I took steps to help her feel more comfortable around them. The fact that her breathing was worse on one rein likely indicated a physical imbalance, as horses tend to favour one side.
Paris is a sensitive horse with a soft mouth and has always hesitated to take up contact, which suggested previous experiences with harsh handling. The shorter frame also changes the muscle dynamics required for forward movement, potentially contributing to her tension.
A straightforward check is the long back muscle, which runs alongside the spine from the withers to the rump. This muscle is crucial for self-carriage and can indicate overall back tension. If itās sore or stiff, there may be other tension points. A healthy, supple back is vital for the diaphragm's function. Additionally, tension in the chest and upper abdominal area can restrict diaphragmatic movement, though trigger points in these areas may be harder to identify.
If you suspect tension in your horse but can't pinpoint the cause, consulting a qualified equine therapist can be very beneficial. Be sure they explain their findings and provide you with exercises to help between sessionsānever hesitate to ask questions!
While we canāt look inside the horse or directly ask what's wrong, we can observe patterns to identify potential triggers and causes.
As for Paris, we continue regular bodywork, stretching, and targeted training. Now, my coach and I pay close attention to her breathing during rides, which has made a significant difference. The mare who once wouldnāt canter on her own now eagerly offers canters, and her favorite trick is a playful flying change!
www.sonovettherapy.com.au
