 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
Muscles - The Short Course
A muscle is a collection of fibers attached at both ends (origin and insertion) to bones
by tendons. The belly of the muscle is where the action is. Upon request, the belly of
the muscle contracts (folds over and upon itself), or releases (unfolds) to provide
movement.
During this process a few of these fibers may spasm (contracted fibers unable to
secure their own release - a knot) and cease to perform. You may not realize that
anything is wrong as other neighboring fibers will take over to compensate. Because
those fibers are now working harder to do the job for both they will eventually spasm
too.
Physics
Visualize constructing a horse with a tinker toy set using pulleys ad cables to facilitate
movement. Each movement would require the interrelated movement of all. Likewise,
muscles work in pairs and groups to coordinate movement. As spasmed fibers
multiply, the muscle ceases to function requiring another to compensate for it. The
story continues until finally whole muscle groups are compensating resulting in
performance problems associated with pain and refusal on the horse's part. The
sooner these soreness behaviors are identified and corrected, the sooner the downhill
progress may be stopped. So how do we keep these spasms from happening?
Physiology
Energy is required for motion. The muscle fibers get their energy from ATP
(adenosine triphosphate), which is formed by joining oxygen and glucose from food
sources. The key is oxygen which is delivered by blood circulation. When the body is
using fuel and oxygen properly and waste products are being disposed of properly, it
is working aerobically.
When the body is not in condition or during intense competition, the muscles
frequently are working anaerobically (the muscles are not getting adequate oxygen
and by products are not being disposed of). This results in the formation of lactic acid
which is absorbed causing fatigue, spasms, and the consequences thereof.
Muscles with spasms provide resistance that others must work harder to compensate
for. The more muscles that are not functioning properly, the higher the workload for
the rest, and the faster their breakdown as other spasms further increase the
resistance leading to overall tied up muscles and fatigue.
Why Massage?
Spasms are an inevitable consequence of muscles at work for a variety of reasons.
The purpose of training and conditioning programs is to ask muscles to work in a
learned fashion at a stressful level. Competitive horses who experience a high level of
vigorous activity are candidates for preventive massage. Since soreness behaviors
are, as the result of an cumulation of spasms, preventive therapy makes good sense.
The purpose of massage is to identify spasms or stress points and relieve them
restoring the muscle to normal free movement. Over stretched and over stressed
muscles as the result of accidents and injuries, as well as competition, can be
addressed restoring motion and relieving pain immediately in many cases. Spasms
will not relieve themselves with rest or exercise. They must be manually relieved
through various techniques. The sooner soreness behaviors are recognized and
muscles relieved the better, not only for performance and safety, but for the general
comfort of the horse.
Some Common Questions
My horse is young, he doesn't need a massage does he? Young horses in
training are learning a new work ethic, as well as how to use their bodies in new, often
unnatural ways. This not only stresses muscles, but also stifles, hocks, tendons,
knees, etc. The colt's long-term prospects will be greatly enhanced by the relief
brought by massage to overstressed and stretched muscles. Western pleasure and
dressage horses are particularly vulnerable due to the isometric nature of their
disciplines.
How often does a horse need a massage? When his performance or disposition
changes he is telling you it is time. That may be six weeks or six months.
Are you sure he doesn't need a chiropractor? Bones are out of place because the
muscles on either side have unequal tension. Until the tension is equalized a
chiropractic adjustment is short-lived.
A muscle is a collection of fibers attached at both ends (origin and insertion) to bones
by tendons. The belly of the muscle is where the action is. Upon request, the belly of
the muscle contracts (folds over and upon itself), or releases (unfolds) to provide
movement.
During this process a few of these fibers may spasm (contracted fibers unable to
secure their own release - a knot) and cease to perform. You may not realize that
anything is wrong as other neighboring fibers will take over to compensate. Because
those fibers are now working harder to do the job for both they will eventually spasm
too.
Physics
Visualize constructing a horse with a tinker toy set using pulleys ad cables to facilitate
movement. Each movement would require the interrelated movement of all. Likewise,
muscles work in pairs and groups to coordinate movement. As spasmed fibers
multiply, the muscle ceases to function requiring another to compensate for it. The
story continues until finally whole muscle groups are compensating resulting in
performance problems associated with pain and refusal on the horse's part. The
sooner these soreness behaviors are identified and corrected, the sooner the downhill
progress may be stopped. So how do we keep these spasms from happening?
Physiology
Energy is required for motion. The muscle fibers get their energy from ATP
(adenosine triphosphate), which is formed by joining oxygen and glucose from food
sources. The key is oxygen which is delivered by blood circulation. When the body is
using fuel and oxygen properly and waste products are being disposed of properly, it
is working aerobically.
When the body is not in condition or during intense competition, the muscles
frequently are working anaerobically (the muscles are not getting adequate oxygen
and by products are not being disposed of). This results in the formation of lactic acid
which is absorbed causing fatigue, spasms, and the consequences thereof.
Muscles with spasms provide resistance that others must work harder to compensate
for. The more muscles that are not functioning properly, the higher the workload for
the rest, and the faster their breakdown as other spasms further increase the
resistance leading to overall tied up muscles and fatigue.
Why Massage?
Spasms are an inevitable consequence of muscles at work for a variety of reasons.
The purpose of training and conditioning programs is to ask muscles to work in a
learned fashion at a stressful level. Competitive horses who experience a high level of
vigorous activity are candidates for preventive massage. Since soreness behaviors
are, as the result of an cumulation of spasms, preventive therapy makes good sense.
The purpose of massage is to identify spasms or stress points and relieve them
restoring the muscle to normal free movement. Over stretched and over stressed
muscles as the result of accidents and injuries, as well as competition, can be
addressed restoring motion and relieving pain immediately in many cases. Spasms
will not relieve themselves with rest or exercise. They must be manually relieved
through various techniques. The sooner soreness behaviors are recognized and
muscles relieved the better, not only for performance and safety, but for the general
comfort of the horse.
Some Common Questions
My horse is young, he doesn't need a massage does he? Young horses in
training are learning a new work ethic, as well as how to use their bodies in new, often
unnatural ways. This not only stresses muscles, but also stifles, hocks, tendons,
knees, etc. The colt's long-term prospects will be greatly enhanced by the relief
brought by massage to overstressed and stretched muscles. Western pleasure and
dressage horses are particularly vulnerable due to the isometric nature of their
disciplines.
How often does a horse need a massage? When his performance or disposition
changes he is telling you it is time. That may be six weeks or six months.
Are you sure he doesn't need a chiropractor? Bones are out of place because the
muscles on either side have unequal tension. Until the tension is equalized a
chiropractic adjustment is short-lived.
| Sport Horse Therapeutic Equine Massage Clinics/Workshops/Individual Therapy |
WHY MASSAGE?
| There can be an appreciation of massage and it's benefits only after understanding why it is necessary. We must start at the beginning with muscles. Skeletal muscles amount to 60 percent of the horses total body weight and provide motion. Logically muscles are also the source of motion problems. |