For NorthWest Horse Source
Chiropractic adjustment, massage, and other bodywork techniques geared specifically for horses is becoming commonplace in the horse world. Not only does your horse love a great massage, but there is often a noticeable improvement in their willingness, suppleness and balance in just one to two sessions. Unfortunately, an unbalanced rider can reverse these positive effects within days of a treatment. This can become a very costly venture over time. As part of a team, it may be time to take a look in the mirror. For most riders, asymmetry, or unevenness, is a reality, which although not always painful, can be detrimental to the horse-rider partnership. This assymetry can be caused by numerous factors including an injury, poor posture, repetitive ineffective movement patterns, and/or tight or weak muscle groups. Sensitive to the weight of a fly, your horse can feel even the slightest difference in weight distribution. Their first reaction is to yield away from this pressure. For example, if the left seat-bone is applying more pressure than the right, your horse will tend to bend his barrel to the right, effectively moving away from the pressure. If your left shoulder is further forward than the right, your horse will tend to drop that shoulder to the inside. Your horse can also feel any tension you are holding in your body, whether you realize it is there or not, and respond by holding tension in their body. A balanced, supple rider is able to communicate more effectively, without fear of interference, with softer hands, quieter leg aids and a more secure, symmetrical seat. Ready to take your riding to the next level? Let's start by getting you balanced. If you discovered an imbalance during one of the exercises outlined in my last article, the most important first step is to incorporate bodywork into your training program. Just like your horse, massage, chiropractics, and other bodywork can help you to become happier, healthier, more supple and most importantly, more symmetrical. When the pelvis, back, shoulders, neck or legs are not functioning effectively, tension develops. This is a coping mechanism of the surrounding muscle groups and fascia, their way of maintaining control of the out-of-line skeletal system. The nervous system, integral to muscle function, is also involved, over-firing to compensating muscles and often impeded by the imbalanced skeletal system. As well, tightness can occur due to dysfunctional motor patterns, or an overuse of the wrong muscle groups. This can effectively “pull” the skeletal system out of balance and render the involved muscle groups constantly fatigued. Hence, the skeletal and muscular systems (including fascia and other connective tissue) can not be separated and can affect each other in a multitude of ways. This is why a combination of massage and chiropractic care, not to mention a stretch and strengthening program, works so effectively to restore balance. Massage Therapy helps to release tight muscles groups, which may be causing the structural mis-alignment. Most Registered Massage Therapists (RMT) use a combination of techniques to release tension and restore function of compensating and overworked muscles. It often is painful to work through these knots, with some residual soreness, but it will be well worth the increased range of motion, decreased tension and greater sense of balance. Your RMT should also be able to provide you with insight as to exercises and stretches that will help you to work on your specific problem areas. Unfortunately, all this work may be for naught without a visit to a chiropractor, because these muscles will eventually return to their original holding patterns if there is an imbalance in the structural system. A reputable Doctor of Chiropractic can help you find balance in your skeletal system. Many people are tentative about using a chiropractor, with good reason. There are many fabulous benefits to chiropractic care, but due to the sensitive nature of the spine there are always risks. Make sure you find someone who you feel confident with, preferably referred from a friend and consult your doctor if necessary. More often than not, you will leave your appointment feeling taller, stronger and much more balanced. This type of work can help the surrounding and compensating muscles release, restoring nervous system function, promoting relaxation and improving the function of the whole body. Other types of bodywork can also work wonders on the structural systems of the body. Reiki, Myofascial Release, Acupressure, Acupuncture, and Cranio-Sacral Therapy are only a few of the many therapies available. So how are you feeling? Hopefully, you're feeling more balanced and symmetrical. But, the true test is how you and your horse feel under saddle. Note any differences. Next time, we'll begin to put together an on-the-ground training program, focused on the 3 S's; stability, suppleness and strength. Happy trails! |