Every rider knows this feeling. The horse is somehow stiff, tense, and no longer moves smoothly. However, it is not lame, just less supple. When you touch different points on its back, neck, or hindquarters, the skin and tissue feel tight, too tight. This may be because the horse's muscles are tense. However, it is often due to the connective tissue, the fascia. When it is stuck together, tension arises.
Fascia is connective tissue containing collagen, fine elastin fibers, and various other connective tissue cells. It runs through the entire body like a delicate network. Fascia can be viewed as a large organ. It performs many important functions in the body, essentially connecting everything together, providing support, and creating stability in the body's systems. It also ensures smooth movement. Movement is lubricated by water located between the fibers. Fascia also supports the muscles in their work. It can store energy and generate the appropriate movement dynamics, which in turn relieves the muscles. It also helps to remove waste products and supports the immune cells in the fascial tissue in detoxification. All this shows how far-reaching the function of fascia is, even for metabolism.
Irritated fascia can swell, become inflamed, and stick together. The fine nerve endings of the body's system also extend into the connective tissue, which is why inflammation there is perceived as pain.
The adhesions should therefore be treated with specific massage techniques or treatments by an equine osteopath. You can certainly learn a few effective hand movements to massage and loosen the tissue yourself from time to time.
There are also various massage aids available, such as massage balls. These fit comfortably in the hand and have protruding nubs all around. With a ball like this, you can easily massage your horse's neck or croup or gently circle it over the saddle area. A little tip: feel free to use the ball on your own neck as well, because we riders also have fascia that needs attention.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace veterinary advice. Please contact your veterinary practice directly.
Endoscopy is an imaging, minimally invasive procedure in which body cavities and hollow organs can be viewed and examined using an endoscope. Endoscopes are either rigid or flexible and have a light source and a camera at the front that transmits the image directly to a screen.
Imaging diagnostics refers to all diagnostic procedures that use diagnostic devices to generate two- or even three-dimensional images of the inside of the body. These images can be used to detect disease-related changes, among other things.
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