To put more information into this newsletter I have decided to link the myofascial and muscle chains together as they work together. You will see a link between them, for example, the Extensor Chains follow the Superficial Dorsal Line and the Flexor Chain follows the Superficial Ventral Line.
We will have a look at the Extensor and Flexor Chains today, which are responsible for creating movement. They create a circle of muscles which allow the body to support our weight and create balanced movement when worked correctly. If there is a weakness or pain in this circle, there will be compensation which will cause problems to manifest in another part of the body away from the problem that started the dysfunction in the body. Another thought to think about is when we are on our horses do we join the circle of movement and energy? If so, should we be doing exercises to strengthen our core and stability to work together with our horse and help keep the circle of energy going around and through us?
Extensor Chain
Also known as the Dorsal Chain, makes up what we call the top line of the horse. It is comprised of the muscles above the spine and behind the hip. It is our main driving force for the horse to move forward.
When strengthening your horse's top line, we need to be thinking about correct posture, as demonstrated in the picture above. We want our horse's head low so that the muscles over the neck will be engaged also when the head is lowered the horse's back is automatically raised creating a good posture for the muscles to work correctly. Exercises shown to the right are working on improving the posture so that when working our horses forward they are engaging their muscles correctly. the two at the top are moving the horse's weight back and forth to engage stability muscles and the bottom picture is a stretch of the dorsal ventral line.
Once we have good posture, hill work is a fantastic exercise to strengthen the Extnosor Chain.
With this knowledge, can you think of other exercises that you can do for strengthening?
Flexor Chain
Also known as the Ventral Chain, makes up the bottom line. It is comprised of the muscles that are underneath the spine, in front of the hip and the abdominal muscles. These muscles are part of what we call the core muscles, aiding in support and maintaining a correct posture of the back.
Once again we want to be building core and stability strength through weight shifts and carrot stretches. Another good exercise is backing up which helps stretch the Dorsal Chain but also engages the Ventral Chain.
Engagement exercises like half-halts, transitions and walking over poles are other good exercises but what do we need to keep in mind?
POSTURE!!!
Have a think on what you can add to your daily routine that can help improve your horse's posture to build strength upon. Remember, having a strong foundation makes everything else easier!!
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