Myofascial Kinetic Lines in Horses - Important Trunk Transitions
Earlier this year Gillian Higgins from Horses Inside Out hosted Dr. Vibeke Elbrond for a day long seminar on Important Trunk Transitions: Functional Anatomy, Myofascial Integration and Dysfunction.
Vibeke was one of the team that has brought to us the research on the Myofascial lines in horses and is one of the authors of the incredible book, Equine Myofascial Kinetic Lines in Horses – For Professionals. Along with Dr. Rikke Schultz and Dr. Tove Due.
The first time I became aware of this work was at the Horses Inside Out conference in 2020, when Vibeke lectured in person about the Myofascial Lines, you can read more about this in my previous blog.
Since then I have heard Vibeke speak a number of times and have studied the book well, although it is extremely in depth & detailed, and there is always more to learn and understand. I was looking forward to this seminar as it was to focus on the transitional areas of the horse including how the myofascial lines cross these areas and how this then has an effect on the rest of the body.
When I was studying for my original Equine Massage Practitioner training we learnt about the transitional areas Vibeke discusses in this webinar, however they were in that course referred to as ‘Major Stress Points’.
These transitional /major stress point areas in the horse are:
· The Cervicothoracic junction (CTJ)
· The Thoracolumbar junction (TLJ)
· The Lumbosacral junction (LSJ)
I thought I would use this blog to talk a little about each of these areas and how Vibeke’s work on the Myofascial Kinetic Lines can be used to add another perspective to assessment and treatment of the horse.
Cervicothoracic Junction
The Cervicothoracic junction is where the Cervical (neck) spine meets the Thoracic (upper back) spine. The Thoracic spine is the part of the back that has ribs attached to it.
The very mobile Cervical spine ‘transitions’ here into what is a much less mobile thoracic spine. The CTJ is deep within the horse’s chest, between the shoulder blades and very difficult to palpate on most horses not only due to the shoulder blades but also due to the muscle mass in the area.
Imbalances in the forelimbs can affect this muscle mass, also known as the thoracic sling muscles, which are part of the horses’ core stability muscles, and vice versa, if the core muscles are weak it can cause overloading of the front limbs.
Issues like ataxia can come from an unstable CTJ as well as hyper extension of the neck.
Vibeke says that hyperextension of the neck could cause contraction of the scalene muscle, causing compression onto the brachial plexus, which is a large bundle of nerves, hence leading to possible nerve irritiation. And that most front limb issues are related to the CTJ.
If issues at the CTJ are suspected, Vibeke recommends the following diagnostics:
· Observing the static horse
· Palpating the structures surrounding the CTJ, both superficial and deep
· Motion testing
The Myofascial lines that pass this region are:
· Superficial Dorsal Line
· Superficial Ventral Line
· Lateral Line
· Deep Dorsal Line
· Deep Ventral Line
· Spiral Line
· Front Limb Line
Vibeke usually finds that the Deep Ventral Line is the tightest in this area and recommends treating this line first and then working through each layer of compensation one at a time.
To learn more about which muscles are on each line, so you know where to work, I would recommend either Vibeke’s book, or Gillian’s All About Fascia seminar, which also covers Myofascial chains.
Thoracolumbar Junction
The Thoracolumbar Junction is where the Thoracic spine meets the Lumbar spine.
This is where the last rib is, typically just behind where the back of the weight bearing part of your saddle of your ridden horse will be.
This is a very busy area in terms of anatomy. The fascia beneath the skin here, known as the Thoracolumbar fascia is very sensitive.
This area can be affected by your horse’s tack, gastrointestinal issues and other visceral (organ) issues, as visceral fascia also connects into this area. As well as postural issues, extended posture and potentially kissing spine.
The abdominal muscles are key to supporting the Thoracolumbar region, along with the psoas muscles, deep within the pelvis, which help to give the region stability.
This area of the horse can be locked short or locked long. Multifidus, the complex muscle that stabilizes the spine is part of the Deep Dorsal Line and should be considered when assessing and treating this area. As well as Psoas, deep within the pelvis.
Myofascial Lines related to this area are:
· Superficial Dorsal Line
· Deep Dorsal Line
· Functional Line
· Superficial Ventral Line
· Deep Ventral Line
· Spiral Line
· Forelimb Retraction Line
Vibeke shares that we should be mindful of the pectoral muscles which are part of the Superficial Ventral Line, as damage to these by a girth for example can affect the TLJ.
The Deep Ventral Line, which also crosses this area, relates closely to the somatic system. This is part of the nervous system which is responsible for all the functions the horse can consciously influence, including moving their head, legs, tail and other body parts. This line includes muscles such as Psoas, the Diaphragm, Longus Coli and Sternomandibular. It is a very emotional line and also includes the tail. You will understand the benefit of this when we start to talk about the Lumbosacral junction.
Another issue that can affect this area involving the Spiral Line is High Heel, Low Heel syndrome. There are lots of places you can read more about this. But grazing with one limb forward des affect pelvic balance and put stress onto this transitional area. Working on the Spiral Line can help with these symptoms.
Lumbosacral Junction
The Lumbosacral Junction is where the Lumbar spine meets the Sacrum. This is further back on the horse and is in the area often referred to as the Croup. This junction is a hinge joint with a large range of movement and is the joint that gives your horse the ability to tilt their pelvis and get their hind limbs underneath them. It is a stable, energy conserving region which aids in transfer of the forces from the hindlimbs, forward through the body.
This area has a lot of strong collagenous structures and includes muscles such as Psoas Minor which is very small but very tendinous. The Thoracolumbar fascia extends into this area. The fascia here can often be thick and tight, but it should slide and glide and be flexible.
This area can be affected by the Middle Gluteal muscle, as this also overlaps into the lumbar region. Gelding scar tissue can also affect this region, often causing lumbar pain. Or in mares, ovary dysfunction.
The muscles of the tail attach as far forward as the Lumbosacral junction and so tail work can be very beneficial for the lumbar region as well as further forward into the body due to the connections into the Deep Ventral Line.
Lines related to this area:
· Superficial Dorsal Line
· Superficial Ventral Line
· Lateral Line
· Deep Ventral Line
· Deep Dorsal Line
· Spiral Line
· Functional Line
Hopefully this blog gives you an idea of how we can look at the horse with different eyes, using our knowledge of the lines to treat areas of dysfunction but also, as you can see, many of the lines pass through all the transitional areas, so as we work on the horse releasing one area, we will also be indirectly working on other areas.
This is why it is so important to test – treat – retest and observe, observe, observe!
In the seminar itself Vibeke went into sooo much more detail in all of this, including methods for treating the lines, which I have not included in this blog. It is quite mind blowing and can really change the way you approach your therapy sessions whether you are trying something with your own horse, or working as a professional on a client’s horse.
I would highly recommend taking the time to check out Vibeke’s book if you haven’t already, and look out for more seminars or courses coming up with her hosted by Horses Inside Out.
Thank you for visiting my blog 😊
Jess