Top 3 Dysfunctions

The top three dysfunctions I see in horses (performance and non):

​#1 The most common pattern of dysfunction I see in performance horses is a thoracic torsion. This occurs when the scapulas are sitting in an unbalanced manner with the sternum being pulled laterally. There are several causes for this torsion, but I always find dysfunction in the hyoid, diaphragm, and signification fascial adhesions supporting this holding pattern. Over time, this will result in asymmetrical muscle development. This is easy to spot when looking from the front of the horse and eyeing the point of shoulders, or you can look from the top and look at the tops of the scapulas. The typical pattern is the left scapula is up/back and the right scapula is down/forward, causing the thoracic vertebra to shift to the right and causing the sternum to shift (all directions are from the point of view of the horse). Why is this the typical pattern? Based on the foals I have worked with; I believe a lot of this happens in utero. Also, we tend to be very one-sided handling our horses. The horses I have seen who the opposite pattern, typically have sustained some type of significant injury involving a fall.
 
#2 The second most common pattern I see in performance horses is a horse that is stuck in adduction. Meaning that their thoracic cavity is compressed medially and there is very limited external rotation or abduction of the front legs. Why is this a problem??? Well, if your horse is doing any lateral movement (making a corner, spinning, turning a barrel, turning period) then this will effect how your horse can properly use their body. When movements cannot be made as the body is designed, the body FINDS a WAY! This means that structures not intended to be used for turning will be used. Unfortunately, this can lead to serious injuries including but not limited to deep digital flexor tendon tears, suspensory ligament tears, nerve impingement, extreme muscle and fascial adhesions, and a compensatory gait pattern.
How do you know if your horse is stuck? Watch this video.
 
#3 The third most common pattern of dysfunction I see in performance horses is a cranial shear. A myriad of events can lead to a shift in cranial bones. Direct physical trauma, imbalances in the teeth/hooves, imbalances in other parts of the body, environmental and chemical exposure, emotional trauma.
How can asymmetry affect your horse?
Asymmetry in cranial bones can create excessive pressure in the head (headache), disrupt communication in the nervous system, cause lameness, reactivity in the head, spookiness, entrap nerves that can cause head shaking syndrome, and contribute to endocrine and metabolic dysfunction. One thing I want to stress is that this shear IS affecting your horse’s entire body…even the way they move and their posture.

Take heart, the cranial bones are NOT fused, and we can rebalance them to restore balance and proper function in your horse’s body. In the picture below, you can see the lines of what are called sutures. I like to refer to these as “expansion joints” (probably because of my engineering background 😊) These sutures are flexing and extending as cerebral spinal fluid is being pumped throughout your horse’s body. The pumping of the cerebral spinal fluid is supporting your horse’s nervous system…in essence, their whole body. So, if there is a disruption in this communication, you can see how this is detrimental to your horse’s health.