CORE TRAINING Two valuable exercises developed specifically to improve core strength in horses are‘ dynamic mobilisation exercises’( DME) and‘ myotactic reflex exercises’( MRE) that include rounding and lateral bending exercises. In horses, good posture includes rounding the back and lifting through the withers. Dynamic mobilisation exercises( DME) are core strengthening exercises for horses that target postural muscles to promote balance and self-carriage. DMEs differ from passive stretches as they require concentric contraction as well as isometric contraction to maintain balance. DMEs include rounding and lateral bending exercises for core muscle activation, and myotatic reflexes- such as belly and pelvic lifts. Belly lifts cause flexion in the thoracic area, whilst pelvic lift / tuck flexes and lifts the lumbar and lumbosacral( LS) joints. Belly and pelvic lifts rely on the horse’ s response to pressure applied to specific anatomic areas, by bending of specific intervertebral joints through activation of the long mobilizing muscles. www. jenquine. com
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MEET THE MUSCLES:
A. B. C.
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Deep under the skin and surface muscles, lie the core muscles that play a crucial role in supporting and stabilizing the spine, enabling movement and maintaining posture. The core muscles include the large longissimus( named for it’ s long length from the withers to the sacrum), which supports the spine and allows it to extend and to flex laterally, and the multifidus( so called for its multiple sections). Lying deep within the spine and running from the skull to the pelvis its role is to support and stabilise individual vertebrae and prevent overload and excessive stress on the longisimmus.
Working together, the deep muscles prevent excessive movement between vertebrae; extend, laterally flex and rotate the spine, and contribute to the transmission of power generated by the hindquarters to the rest of the body. Strong, well-functioning deep, core back muscles are essential for athletic performance, injury prevention, and overall soundness in horses.
Underneath the body, running along the horse’ s belly, is the rectus abdominus( RA), one of the main muscles responsible for creating dorsal flexion and rounding the back. It is extremely important for stabilising the back and strengthening the RA can improve back flexion and hind limb protraction – and potentially reduce back pain and promote long career longevity in working horses.
CORE TRAINING Two valuable exercises developed specifically to improve core strength in horses are‘ dynamic mobilisation exercises’( DME) and‘ myotactic reflex exercises’( MRE) that include rounding and lateral bending exercises. In horses, good posture includes rounding the back and lifting through the withers. Dynamic mobilisation exercises( DME) are core strengthening exercises for horses that target postural muscles to promote balance and self-carriage. DMEs differ from passive stretches as they require concentric contraction as well as isometric contraction to maintain balance. DMEs include rounding and lateral bending exercises for core muscle activation, and myotatic reflexes- such as belly and pelvic lifts. Belly lifts cause flexion in the thoracic area, whilst pelvic lift / tuck flexes and lifts the lumbar and lumbosacral( LS) joints. Belly and pelvic lifts rely on the horse’ s response to pressure applied to specific anatomic areas, by bending of specific intervertebral joints through activation of the long mobilizing muscles. www. jenquine. com
MRE involve bending of specific joints in the spine and include thoracic / belly and pelvic lifts that target muscles involved in balance and self-carriage. There is a relationship between muscle mass and muscle strength. The crosssectional area of the muscle is the total of all the little muscle fibres and is related to muscle power and larger muscles have a greater capacity for powerful contractions. Both symmetry and the cross-sectional area of the multifidus muscle and rectus abdominis can be increased with DME and greater flexion of the lumbosacral joint can be achieved with pelvic lift exercises. Pelvic lift exercises benefit lumbo-sacral joint flexion.
The thoracolumbar spine, supported in front by the forelimbs and behind by the hind limbs, tends to sag in the middle, pulled down by the considerable weight of the abdominal contents. The additional weight of the rider added to the horse’ s back, necessitates a strong back with smooth, well-muscled coupling over the loin to the croup and taut abdominal muscles. When ridden, the movement cycle is more extended compared with the unridden horse. Extension of the intervertebral joints brings the dorsal spinal processes closer together and impingement and overriding of the dorsal spinous processes occurs most frequently and is most severe in the area directly below the rider’ s seat. The likelihood of developing clinical signs associated with impingement is ameliorated when intervertebral extension is reduced. The chin-to-chest mobilisation exercises are associated with increased cranial thoracic flexion.
When performing DME, the horse controls the range of motion, which is in contrast to passive stretches that may move the joint outside the comfort zone. It is recommended to start with the chin-between fetlocks then chin-between carpi exercises and progress to the chin-tochest mobilisation to allow gradual strengthening of the muscles that are used to achieve the progressively more flexed positions. Working closely with your veterinarian is important as cervical DME may be contraindicated in horses with osteoarthritis in the spine.
CORE STRENGTH Core strengthening exercises are a progression from the DMEs and are based on the horse’ s response to pressure applied to specific anatomic areas. The position can be held for several seconds by maintaining the stimulus. After each exercise, the muscles are allowed to relax for a few
2026 AQHA YEARBOOK ~ MAY / JUNE ISSUE