13/10/2022
💫 The Life-force: breath 💫
Breath + Stride
The correct position of the head and neck is vital. Why? Because the neck is the balancer and the angle of the head influences the horses’ ability to take in air; a bend in the throat (behind the vertical) causes a resistance to airflow. Why? Because the pharynx becomes compressed and the trachea flexes and shortens. A bend in the throat - such as we see with behind the vertical, L.D.R (low, down and round) and Rolkur - is not only distressing for the pony / horse but will affect eyesight due to position of the head, cause poll tension, TMJ tension and restriction, compression of the lower cervical (neck) vertebrae, pressure on the nuchal ligament and alter the line of function.
Horses are obligate breathers, meaning they ONLY breathe through their nose - during exercise it becomes twice as difficult for horses to move air into the lungs, 50% of the total resistance in the upper airway originating in the nasal passages. Think 🤔 about your nosebands / flashes / grackles: how tight are they??
ONE BREATHE = ONE STRIDE. At the canter and gallop, horses take one breath perfectly in time with one stride. This is referred to as respiratory-locomotor coupling.
💫 ANYTHING that affects the horses breathing has the potential to SHORTEN the stride! 💫
The chest expands and contracts when breathing at:
- rest
- walking
- trotting
- And blowing hard after exercise
At the CANTER and GALLOP ALL air movement comes from the movement of the LEGS and DIAPHRAGM! Yep!
The diaphragm is a key-role during exercise. Diaphragm is derived from the Greek word ‘Diaphragma’ translated it simply means ‘partition.’ It separates the chest and the abdomen. It assists the lungs and is The Pump of the entire body. It can be observed in all the intercostal spaces (space between the ribs) from 7 to 17. Still not sure where? We sit right on top of it! The main muscle of breathing, it is intricately linked to the equines emotions and energy; just like us! 😊 Not using the diaphragm fully results in a reduced intake of oxygen and weakens the core stability.
Stress on a prolonged basis, and/or tension within surrounding structures, reduces the diaphragms mobility resulting in the alteration of its performance both respiratory and biomechanically (just like us!).
✨ PHOTO ONE: Horse A there is a moment of suspension: the pelvis tilts, hind legs brought under the body, the intestines shift backwards, forelimbs raise, scapula moves forwards and the ribs expand. Horse B the head stretches out, hind limbs raise, weight shifts to forelimbs, the contents of the abdomen shift forwards, pressing the diaphragm and pushing the air out! ✨
The phrenic nerve originates from C3, 4 and 5 (neck) vertebrae and feeds into the diaphragm.
💫 ’C3, 4 and 5 keep the diaphragm alive!’ 💫
This nerve contains motor, sensory and sympathetic nerve fibres. It also innervates the periotoneal fascia surrounding all the organs caudal to the diaphragm (behind the diaphragm). So. Intricately linked to emotion and energy!
If you’re with me still, now let us put it all together:
🌟 Poll - the muscles here are prone to one-sidedness and tension; the joint between the skull and the atlas (C1) is pivotal to the horses’ system of balance and spinal health (🤔 think bridle / head collar pressure and riders hands). The skull, the Atlas and axis (C2) are all involved in the movement of the head. The bones are shaped the way they are to provide attachment sites for the muscles that move the head. They are muscles that bring the head down to flex the poll; tilt the head sideways and pull the head backwards.
🌟 C2 - nerve function: head, tongue, ears, eyes…and HEART ❤️
🌟 C3 - nerve function: face, TMJ, ears, shoulders…and DIAPHRAGM
🌟 C4 - nerve function: neck, shoulders…and DIAPHRAGM
🌟 C5 - nerve function: shoulders, foreleg…and DIAPHRAGM
🌟 C6 - nerve function: shoulders, forelegs, fetlocks and hooves
🌟 C7 - nerve function: shoulders, forelegs, elbows, fetlocks and hooves
Bodies are moving, breathing, feeling, functioning entities. Bodies are a balanced unit. Nothing work’s singularly - it’s teamwork - and everything has its purpose. Anytime mobility is compromised, balance and function are altered.
Correct flexion of the head and correct cervical vertebrae alignment are paramount in allowing the natural biomechanics of movement…and breath! Now why would anyone want to interfere with that?
⚡️ Force is a need for control. Force is ignorance. Force is an excuse. Force is nothing more than a journey of self-fulfilment. ⚡️
Respect and celebrate the power, grace and beauty of natural movement; learn to ride WITH your horse, not against! ☺️
‘Force and Obstruction break the Perfect Biomechanics of the Body!’
Less is More!
