Transcript Muscles, Movement and Massage

How to keep your horse supple
Isla Millar
Equine Sports Massage Therapist
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
RDA November 2008
How to keep your horse supple
• What is suppleness
• Why it is important
• Why do problems occur
• How you can improve suppleness
• Ridden Exercises
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
RDA November 2008
What is suppleness?
bend
flexibility
range of movement
elasticity
expressive
softness
agility
athletic
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
responsive
RDA November 2008
What is suppleness?
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
RDA November 2008
How movement is created
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
RDA November 2008
How movement is created
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
RDA November 2008
Degree of suppleness possible
• Depends on individual –
- Age
- Stage of training
- Type = breed, size, build, conformation
• Anatomy
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
RDA November 2008
Degree of suppleness possible
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
RDA November 2008
Why suppleness is important
• Normal joint Range of Movement
• Correct muscle development
• Weight distribution
• Balance
• Large, swift movements
• Muscles support joints
• Muscles protect soft tissues
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
RDA November 2008
Why do problems occur
• Type of exercise / training
• Lack of fitness and conditioning
• Insufficient warm up and cool down
• Rider – technique, weight and balance
• Injury / lameness - compensatory problems
• Management and care
• Age
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
RDA November 2008
Problems caused by a lack of
suppleness
• Incorrect weight distribution
• Loss of balance
• Reduced joint Range of Movement
• Asymmetrical muscle development
• Greater strain on joints and soft tissues
e.g. tendons and ligaments
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
RDA November 2008
How you can improve suppleness
• Correct exercise / training
• Improve or vary riding
• Handling
• Turnout
• Massage & passive stretching
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
RDA November 2008
Exercise to improve suppleness
• Vary the type of exercise
• Work in line with fitness and conditioning
• Warm up and cool down
• Incorporate dynamic stretching / suppling
exercises
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
RDA November 2008
Ridden Exercises
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
RDA November 2008
How to keep your horse supple
Equine Sports Massage Therapist
Isla Millar
ITEC Dip Equine Sports Massage; ITEC Dip Sports
& Remedial Massage; ITEC Dip Anatomy,
Physiology & Massage
Telephone: 07717 175773
Email: [email protected]
Isla Millar Equine Sports Massage Therapist
RDA November 2008