LH Equine Motion

02/18/2026

Rethinking Collection: Forehand Organization in the Research of Hilary Clayton

Modern equine biomechanics research increasingly supports what massage therapists, bodyworkers, and skilled trainers have recognized for decades: true collection develops through the horse’s ability to lift, stabilize, and suspend the trunk between the forelimbs.

Seventeen years of kinematic and kinetic investigation led by biomechanics veterinarian Hilary Clayton, BVMS, PhD, DACVSMR, MRCVS, at the McPhail Centre for Equine Performance at Michigan State University have produced some of the clearest objective descriptions of how horses organize their bodies in collection.

Clayton’s findings consistently demonstrate that collection arises from the coordination of the entire horse.

Force-plate and motion analyses show that:
• the hind limbs increase flexion
• they step further beneath the body
• and these adjustments contribute to a broader redistribution of forces

Collection, therefore, is a whole-body event.

The hindquarters provide propulsion and articulation while supporting elevation of the forehand through coordinated interaction with the trunk and front end.

Weight Distribution Explains Why Forehand Organization Is Essential

The average horse carries approximately 58 percent of its body weight on the forehand and 42 percent on the hindquarters. This inherent distribution clarifies why the development of forehand organization is central to achieving an uphill balance.

Clayton’s research demonstrated that the horse learns to direct force upward through the forelimbs, enabling elevation of the trunk. In this arrangement, the hind legs support the body and generate propulsion while the thorax remains lifted.

In simple terms:
• the hind legs push
• the forehand lifts
• the trunk is suspended between them

The Trunk and Chest Are the Keys to Elevation

Clayton’s work showed that during true collection:
• the ribcage and sternum rise between the forelimbs
• the center of mass elevates as part of this action

This occurs through active engagement of the thoracic sling, which raises the body higher between the limbs.

The Thoracic Sling as a Primary Balance System

Unlike humans, horses lack a clavicle. No bony strut joins the forelimbs to the trunk. Instead, the thorax is suspended in a muscular and fascial apparatus commonly referred to as the thoracic sling.

Clayton’s studies confirmed the importance of this system, including:
• the serratus ventralis
• the pectoral musculature
• associated stabilizing tissues

Together, these structures:
• support and elevate the trunk between the scapulae
• demonstrate high activity during collection
• underpin self-carriage

Functional integrity of the sling is fundamental to the development of collection.

This interpretation aligns closely with osteopathic and myofascial models that describe the horse as a suspended, integrated structure.

Forelimbs as Active Participants

Clayton’s work further illustrates that the forelimbs continue to bear substantial load in collection. What changes is the strategy by which that load is organized.

With effective sling function:
• shock absorption improves
• limb timing becomes more elastic
• scapular mobility increases

These adaptations help explain why collection built around trunk elevation is frequently associated with enhanced durability.

Sling Asymmetry and Crookedness

Crookedness may arise from multiple contributors, among them asymmetry within the thoracic sling, particularly in developing horses.

The serratus ventralis spreads from the scapula onto the ribs and toward the base of the neck. Differences in function between sides can influence:
• the height of the withers
• shoulder path
• trunk position

Straightness therefore develops through attention to limb alignment together with symmetrical sling activity, allowing the chest to remain centered and buoyant.

The Role of the Pectorals in Forelimb Control

Clayton also observed that the pectoral muscles increase in strength and cross-sectional area as the chest organizes upward, especially during:
• smaller circles
• accurate turns
• lateral movements

These muscles stabilize the limbs in stance and guide crossing in swing. Their development reflects a posture that is carried rather than held.

Collection as a Coordination Challenge

According to Clayton’s data, collection is supported by:
• neuromuscular coordination
• precise interlimb timing
• trunk stability
• elastic storage and return of energy

Structure and function operate together, and balance emerges from the orchestration of the entire system.

Rider Education Matters

Because thoracic elevation is not always visually dramatic, Clayton emphasized the importance of informed riding.

Her research indicates that:
• thoughtful cues assist the muscles of balance
• rider posture influences trunk mechanics
• stability in the rider encourages stability in the horse

As understanding improves, riders cultivate lift, elasticity, and coordination. Collection then appears quieter, lighter, and more sustainable.

Where Massage and Fascial Therapy Fit

Understanding that collection depends on tissue elasticity and precise neuromuscular timing naturally raises an important question: how can we prepare the system to perform these tasks more easily?

The thoracic sling represents a continuous myofascial network linking limb, trunk, neck, and sternum. Within this network, fascia contributes to force transmission, elastic recoil, and sensory communication.

For effective elevation, tissues must be able to:
• glide
• adapt to changing load
• transmit force efficiently
• deliver accurate proprioceptive information

When these qualities diminish, coordination becomes more difficult.

Massage and myofascial therapy support the conditions that allow coordination to emerge.

By encouraging hydration, sliding surfaces, circulation, and mechanoreceptor responsiveness, bodywork may help the horse access:
• greater trunk freedom
• improved shock absorption
• elastic joint behavior
• refined body awareness

Manual therapy prepares the conditions that allow collection to develop.

The Big Takeaway

Clayton’s research positions collection as the lifting, stabilization, and suspension of the trunk through the thoracic sling.

These findings provide objective biomechanical context for observations long shared by osteopaths, bodyworkers, and accomplished trainers:
• balance precedes power
• elevation precedes engagement
• posture reflects neurological organization expressed through tissue

Together, they continue to shape modern approaches to sustainable performance.

https://koperequine.com/the-bow-the-string-and-the-corset-how-equine-ligaments-and-myofascial-systems-support-movement/

02/18/2026

02/18/2026

02/18/2026

The semitendinosus
Why is it always the middle one??

As always the horses body is like a story book, or even sometimes an archeology site for looking at the superficial often tells us of the history of the horse as we dig deeper into the why.

Out of all the muscles the semitendinosus is probably the most common one we will see, the most massaged muscle out of them all yet a hypertrophied muscle needs others to take up the slack in order to begin not to be hench, but where would we begin, why does it feel it has to overwork, and can we really do anything about it years after the fact.???

So what is the semitendinosus??

It is part of a trio in the group of muscles we may recognise more easily as the hamstrings, these muscles like with the human are linked to the knee.
Yet the connections from the pelvis to the hock is like a scaffold incorporating many structures as it heads its way down
We often only look at origin and insertion and forget all the bits in between, humans like to think linear its easier to understand where we pull in one place and there is a clear definate line to have an affect in another, but the body has a complex connective relationship with other structures so while others may look from point A. To B. I always ask the question what about all the other structures linked into the path the muscle takes.

Origin
(Two heads) Last sacral vertebrae, Transverse process of the 1st and 2nd coccygeal vertebrae (Tail bones). Sacrotuberous ligament, caudal fascia, Ventral side of the Tuber ischium (bottom of the pelvis).

Insertion
Cranial border of the tibia via aponeurosis (a sheet of connective tissue). Crural fascia (part of the fascial sheet system ) and the tendon merges with others structures to form the Calcaneus tendon which hooks over the Calcaneous (bony part of the back of the hock which you can feel).

Function
Extends the hip and hock when the limb is weightbaring, also flexes the stifle when non weightbaring, draws the limb caudally, propulsion for forward movement.

So lets look at the origin, as you can see it connects to the tail and some pretty important pelvic comnections so how will it function if lets say a tail is off to one side, we all know tails mainly go off to the left if there is dysfunction and we then see that right semitendinosus larger, thats a little but more added to the story, but wait if one side is overworked then others will be underworked so neither is correct.

So check the pelvis, asymmetry here will create tight on one side and lax on the other, what do you do if you are a little high on one hip ?? You load your limbs unevenly, which means shoulder will load unevenly, ribcage will rotate more to one side and so on. Take a dorsal picture of your horse see how the view is from the tail to the head, is there any deviations??

How are the stifle and hocks?? Any changes going on there if the joints are limited in their range of motion then it isn’t only a joint issue all the connecting parts will also begin to limit their range of motion and when one area becomes restricted another will over compensate.

Why is it usually bulging?? Often we see this a lot on horses that may have worked early in their life with excessive force on acceleration, so think of the racehorse coming out of the gate so often when we see it its years in the making a whole system built around it so change takes along time and sometimes change is not possible but management is.

Weak glutes, will overload the semitendinosus (i think we all know this when we begin running when not fit).

Not moving, if your horse is stabled alot then has bouts of excessive work.

Repetitive strain on structures like the hock
Posture, if you horse adopts a a more forward tilted pelvis then load will be put on to the hamstrings, muscles like to move not be in one static position of either lengthened or contracted.

If the stifles have a problem then often the hamstrings will there are many muscles connected to the stifle, quality of a joint relies on quality of the muscle and vice versa and we must not forget all the connective tissue that supports this area
Weak core means Weak muscles, a hamstring group that isnt working together means the propulsion may be lacking

And remember the aesthetics of the horse is a smooth streamlined body they are not bodybuilders but like us sometimes the discipline they do will mean they will build up muscle in certain areas.

What does it mean for my horse??
Dont panic many horses do just fine, its probably the most common thing we see, horses can and do ok and often its built up over time, if you see a dramatic sudden change then often it can indicate injury but many things that horses have is their new normal and we have to help work with the body before us to make things better rather than terrifying the owner that all is lost.

So what can you do, ??
First take a picture, look for weak areas where you can support. Often core, quads and glutes.
Try a range of motion with the hind limbs, see where you feel the resistance but never push past that point, work slowly over time asking for a little bit more when you feel them relax, often these horses like it when there limb is held up but get icky on the way down, learn to feel the sticky bit and just lift a little higher, don’t let the foot slam down

Look when you lift a forelimb if the horse doesn’t want to load onto the hind and rocks from heel to toe then it may indicate a little discomfort
Look for the ischium rock I have it somewhere on my videos again go slow we are not pushing on the Tuber ischium to get the pectorals moving we are going slow feeling for any resistance, as always when we feel resistance we wait until. It passes and then ask again with smaller moves
If the trio isn’t working together then we don’t only focus on the one we see we need to focus on the whole horse not one area.

Can your horse bring its hindlimb across the midline.?? I often see hindlimbs doing moves which i call helicopter legs as they look like helicopter propellers swinging out 🙂 for good a good functioning hind end your horse has to be a able to do the hokey cokey with its limbs😊

Massaging can help it often wont change years of dysfunction but it can offer some relief from the daily dysfunction, don’t go in all Bruce Lee, sore muscles need a soft touch not a hammering (ouch!!!).

And dont hyper focus in what you can see imagine the things you cant, the connections, the knock on effect for there you will be looking at the whole horse not an isolated muscle

02/06/2026

New Clients /Current please remember to fill out our intake form 72 hours prior to your appointment. Thank you

https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdocs.google.com%2Fforms%2Fd%2Fe%2F1FAIpQLSd-87guP33dlitQbQWwMfnG1PmqZX3arU_zzFmBHp1371wgHA%2Fviewform%3Fusp%3Dpublish-editor%26fbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPNDM3NjI2MzE2OTczNzg4AAEeJ8RBBFQy3ipQ_7okTATtsL6RyTNFf9v8nz2CplTobO_jm4rbg0rNzhxs60U_aem_Ty4vYZSDlaIl0QrzttzmSg&h=AT2qTd8xfNypqMPt7QjsQZPQRNe-iEitdfdC_Zi_TL5WCMsK2KV1x7HlkS6IrDp4Y2pc8Ez_cQGY18h-56oZe3rVWBmrv5nhxw9a5ODQBwxXNFSyb_ZFbAuFJ-DAIxQ&s=1

02/05/2026

Proper equipment, solutions and accessories matter !!

02/05/2026

Introducing 2026 LH Equine Motion Sponsored Riders Team —— Minnesota & Virginia

02/04/2026

Sharing for informational purposes.
Thank you to Molly Wells with Equinessence & Joyce Jackson with Animal Therapy Systems to hold a high standard of care for our equine industry, giving myself & many other students the proper knowledge, training and support needed to flourish and thrive. Protocols are in place for a reason. LH Equine Motion we stay updated on every protocol, training and materials to ensure your equine athletes are safe & receive the highest quality care !! I’m honored to be apart of such a great team with proper representation.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

01/19/2026

Book your barn for the upcoming 2026 season !! Reach out for scheduling @218-410-9465 .

01/10/2026

Why a 3-Day Acuscope Series Matters

A single Acuscope session typically provides relief that lasts 24–48 hours. That’s helpful—but it’s temporary.

When an Acuscope therapist follows manufacturer and FDA guidelines and starts care with a 3-day series, the results last significantly longer—up to three months in the body. This startup series allows the nervous system and tissues to fully respond, stabilize, and begin true repair rather than short-term relief.

Any session performed within the recommended follow-up window is considered a cumulative effect session. Each treatment builds on the previous one, reinforcing healing, improving efficiency, and extending results.

Bottom line:
• One session = short-term benefit
• Three-day startup series = longer-lasting results, deeper benefits
• Follow-up sessions = compounded gains

This approach isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing it right. When care follows established protocols, your investment goes further, outcomes improve, and the results are worth it.

01/09/2026

LH Equine Motion, LLC — 2026 Sponsorship Applications Now Open

We’re opening sponsorship opportunities for the 2026 season.
If you’re serious about our program and ready to represent with integrity, we want to hear from you.

Application deadline: February 1
All submissions will be reviewed carefully.

01/09/2026

Hello all February availability is limited for farm calls

schedule::

new beginnings arena feb 20-22 haul ins welcome with neg coggins & healthy horse

Black Diamond February 27 February 28 and March 1 for an Acuscope clinic Haul ins welcome with negative Coggins and healthy Horse

Please reach out to get your horse scheduled for the 2026 season
All Coggins can be sent to 218-410-9465

Thank you