Creating Shoulder Suppleness

Nov 5

The Horse’s Quandary

We talk about the suppleness of the back often, but there also has to be suppleness of the shoulders.

CREATING SHOULDER SUPPLENESS

Looseness is a fundamental principle of progressive training

The shoulder and scapula areas involve many muscles. A intricate system of muscles are engaged during movement; they must be operating in balance, harmony and with fluidity in order to achieve the much sought after suppleness and elevation required as one progresses from training level to Grand Prix Dressage.

The thoracic sling, part of the suspension system also comes into play and need not be forgotten, however, will be examined at a later time. In addition there are numerous neck muscles, such as the brachiocephalicus, that also become limited in their range of motion thereby affecting the freedom of the front leg and shoulder.

In this segment I will discuss in basic terms a few of the muscles we need to become acquainted with in order to gain a primary insight into how the scapula and shoulder function, and how creating shoulder suppleness can enhance our horse’s performance.

Let’s look at few of the quintessential muscles I commonly find restricted or sore during a session of Equine Dynamic Bodywurks when addressing shoulder tightness in Dressage Horses.

Often I am called out to look at a horse that seems to be “stuck” in his shoulder, appears to have trouble turning and bending, performing good half passes and canter pirouettes, or has developed a choppy or shortened stride.

The latissimus dorsi is layered behind other muscles and located behind the scapula. It functions by contracting when the foreleg extends forward and is placed on the ground. It then pulls the body forward (over the stationary leg). The lats, as they are commonly called assist in shoulder flexion and in limb retraction and play a role in the lateral flexion of the back.

The trapezius responsible for retraction and rotation allows the glenohumeral joint to move up and forward. If you observe your horse you will notice this happens during each step. It draws the scapula forward and back. The real action serves to elevate the shoulder. This muscle inserts into the spine of the scapula.

Rhomboids draw the scapula upwards, forward and backwards. In conjunction with the cervical trapezius the rhomboids pull the top of the scapula forward as the leg is drawn back. It runs from the poll to the withers. The rhomboids help elevate the neck and withers.

The brachiocephalicus helps move the shoulder forward. The triceps flexes the shoulder joint and extends the elbow. Shoulder joint extension involves the deltoid muscle.

Another muscle, the teres minor flexes the shoulder joint. It originates on the back half of the scapula. It is not uncommon to find trigger points here.

And last but not least the supraspinatus is worthy of mention here. It extends and stabilizes the shoulder joint. The suprascapular nerve innervates it.

IMPROVING SHOULDER SUPPLENESS

A wonderful exercise I have used for many years is the ¼ turn and ½ turn on the haunches on a square, first from the walk, then from the trot and eventually from the canter. For the purposes of this article we will be concerned only with performing them from the walk.

As you come to the corner of your square you will be bringing his shoulders around the hind end with both reins. Maintain his hindquarters with your outside leg slightly behind the girth, the inside leg remains at the girth. The key here is to maintain the forward intent. The lines must be straight between each corner. If the horse anticipates the corner and starts the movement before you ask the exercise loses its effectiveness.

It improves strength and range of motion of the thoracic sling (more on this in the future) by encouraging the horse to lift his center of gravity. When he does this, it enables him to bring his front end upwards during each stride. His movement and outline becomes more “uphill and supple”, his hind legs can then come under and engage.

Another effective exercise is to walk down the long side asking your horse to move his shoulders in small degrees from left to right. You will be flexing your horse at the poll toward the opposite direction you will be moving his shoulders. For example, on the right rein, slightly flex the poll to the left and take both hands toward the right to move his shoulders over. Then go back to the correct flexion, to the right. Then take both hands and move his shoulders to the left. Continue to do this down the long side and later on try it on the centre line. This is also effective to do at the trot.