https://linktr.ee/peakperformanceintl

Peak Performance International LLC, Smithville, NJ (2026)

02/17/2026

When joint motion in the cervical spine is restricted, it does not just affect the neck.
It alters posture, shoulder freedom, and whole body coordination.

One of the most important muscles influenced by cervical mechanics is the longus colli, the deep stabilizer that supports the base of the neck and allows the horse to lift into self carriage.

Common signs of cervical dysfunction
Muscle asymmetry or hypertonicity
Stiffness or reduced neck range of motion
Altered head and neck carriage
Resistance through the bridle
Blocked shoulder motion
Heaviness in the contact

Why this matters for posture
When the upper cervical spine and cervicothoracic junction are restricted, the longus colli becomes inhibited.
This contributes to
• Dropping of the base of the neck
• Forward shifted weight and blocked shoulders
• Increased loading of the forehand
• Reduced ability to step under from behind

How chiropractic helps
Cervical adjustments restore joint motion and stimulate mechanoreceptors that regulate muscle tone and proprioception.
This reduces protective hypertonicity, improves neuromuscular signaling, and allows the longus colli to activate more effectively.

Restoring cervical mobility sets the foundation for meaningful progress with your Longus Colli Muscle Monday education and Therapy Thursday cervical retraction work.
Mobility first. Stability follows.

Save this post for reference.
Comment NECK if your horse drops the base of the neck or feels blocked in the shoulders.
Book a performance assessment if posture, contact, or shoulder freedom has changed.

02/16/2026

Longus Colli | Deep Neck Stabilizer & Cervical Support

If your horse travels behind the bit, drops the base of the neck, or feels blocked through the shoulders, the issue may be deep cervical stability, not flexibility.
True neck posture comes from strength in the deep stabilizers, not forced frame.

The longus colli is a small but critically important deep muscle of the ventral neck. It plays a central role in cervical flexion and stabilization of the base of the neck, supporting coordinated spinal mechanics and efficient load transfer from the forehand to the hind end.

Anatomical overview
Origin
Thoracic portion: vertebral bodies T1–T6
Cervical portion: transverse processes of C3–C7
Insertion
Thoracic portion: transverse processes of C6 and C7
Cervical portion: vertebral bodies of the cervical spine and ventral tubercle of the atlas
Innervation
Ventral branches of the local cervical spinal nerves

Primary functions
Flexes the cervical spine
Stabilizes the base of the neck
Supports postural control during locomotion

Clinical relevance
Sustained upper cervical hyperflexion strains the longus colli and contributes to dropping of the base of the neck, blocked shoulder motion, increased forehand loading, and disengagement of the hind end. Riders often describe heaviness in front, hollow topline, resistance to connection, or inability to lift into self carriage. Chronic dysfunction may contribute to loss of balance, weak topline development, spinal instability, and neurologic changes such as headshaking or uneven sweating.

Chiropractic insight
Restrictions at the upper cervical spine, cervicothoracic junction, or rib articulations inhibit longus colli activation and disrupt cervical biomechanics. Restoring joint motion, addressing soft tissue tone, and retraining neuromuscular control at the base of the neck are key to rebuilding posture and coordination.

Save this post for reference.

Comment NECK if your horse drops the base of the neck or feels blocked in the shoulders.
Book a performance assessment if posture, balance, or connection has changed.

Keep an eye out for this week’s Therapy Thursday post where I’ll share an effective exercise to help support the

02/12/2026

Therapy Thursday | Psoas Support for Pelvic Control & Hind End Engagement

If your horse struggles in the canter, drags a toe, or feels disconnected behind, the issue may be deep core dysfunction, not hindlimb strength.
True engagement depends on spinal and pelvic stability.

The psoas muscle group plays a central role in pelvic control, hindlimb protraction, and stabilization of the lumbar spine during athletic movement. Because of its depth and neurologic relationships, psoas dysfunction often presents as vague performance decline rather than focal limb soreness.

Technique | Psoas Release via Indirect Soft Tissue Support
The iliopsoas cannot be directly palpated, but its function can be influenced by addressing surrounding soft tissue tension and regional biomechanics.

How to perform
Address tone in the lumbar paraspinals, abdominal wall, and proximal hip flexors
Support normal pelvic mechanics through gentle soft tissue release
Avoid direct pressure over deep abdominal structures
Work within the horse’s comfort and tolerance

Why this works
Reducing surrounding soft tissue restriction improves pelvic motion and decreases protective tone that inhibits normal psoas function. Over time, riders often notice improved canter quality, reduced toe dragging, and more consistent hind end engagement.

Clinical considerations
Avoid aggressive techniques in the lumbar or abdominal region. Horses with acute pain, recent abdominal surgery, or neurologic deficits should be evaluated before attempting psoas related techniques.

Chiropractic considerations
The femoral nerve exits between L3–L6 and courses through the psoas region. Altered psoas biomechanics can contribute to femoral nerve irritation, impacting quadriceps, sartorius, pectineus, and adductor function and altering pelvic limb mechanics. Restoring lumbar and pelvic mobility improves neuromuscular signaling and enhances the effectiveness of soft tissue support.

Save this post for reference and reassess hind end engagement in your next few rides.

Comment CANTER if your horse struggles to engage or maintain quality in the canter.

Book a performance assessment if hind end connection or pelvic control has changed.

02/10/2026

Lumbosacral Adjustment | Restoring Psoas Function & Hind End Connection

The lumbosacral joint (L6–S1) is the mechanical bridge between the lumbar spine and pelvis.
This region directly influences psoas function, pelvic control, and how effectively your horse can step under and generate power from behind.

When motion is restricted at L6–S1, the psoas major and minor are placed under abnormal strain at their lumbar attachments. This alters neuromuscular signaling through the lumbar plexus and disrupts coordinated hindlimb engagement.

Common signs of lumbosacral restriction
Pain or tightness in the lower back
Difficulty stepping under or maintaining quality in the canter
Toe dragging or uneven push off
Loss of impulsion or connection back to front
Resistance, stiffness, or behavioral changes

Why this matters for psoas function
The psoas stabilizes the lumbar spine and controls pelvic motion.
If L6–S1 is restricted, the psoas cannot coordinate spinal stability with hindlimb protraction, leading to compensation through the SI region, gluteals, and hamstring chain.

How chiropractic helps
Restoring motion at the lumbosacral junction improves
• Lumbar spine mechanics
• Pelvic control
• Neuromuscular signaling to the psoas
• Hind end engagement and propulsion

This sets the foundation for meaningful progress with your Psoas Muscle Monday education and Therapy Thursday psoas support work.
Mobility first. Strength follows.

Save this post for reference.

Comment PSOAS if your horse feels disconnected behind or struggles to step under.

Book a performance assessment if hind end engagement or lumbar comfort has changed.

02/09/2026

Ocala availability this week | Limited openings + Wellington dates coming up

I’m in Ocala this week with a few remaining appointment spots for performance horses in training, competition, or coming back into work.

My work focuses on evidence-based chiropractic and manual therapy to:
• Improve movement quality and efficiency
• Reduce compensatory strain that limits performance
• Support injury prevention and long-term soundness
• Complement veterinary and training programs

Each session includes biomechanical and neurological assessment, gait analysis, soft tissue work, and targeted chiropractic care to address subtle asymmetries before they become bigger performance issues.

I will also be in Wellington later this month and will be opening limited appointment slots there as well.

If your horse has felt uneven, tight through the back or shoulders, inconsistent in contact, or slower to recover between rides, feel free to message me to see if this would be a good fit.

Please DM or call to check remaining availability.

02/09/2026

Psoas | Deep Core Stabilizer

If your horse struggles to step under, resists the canter, or feels weak behind, the issue may be deep core control, not hind end strength alone.
True engagement starts with spinal stability.

The psoas muscle group is a powerful deep core system made up of the psoas major and psoas minor. Together, these muscles play a critical role in spinal stability, pelvic control, and coordinated hindlimb engagement. Because of their depth and relationship with the lumbar spine and pelvis, psoas dysfunction often presents as vague performance decline rather than obvious focal soreness.

Anatomical overview

Psoas major
Origin
Last two ribs
Lumbar transverse processes

Insertion
Lesser trochanter of the femur
Primary functions
Protracts and externally rotates the hindlimb
Flexes the hip
Stabilizes the spine when the limb is fixed
Psoas minor
Origin
Last thoracic and first lumbar vertebrae
Insertion
Ilium

Primary functions
Flexes the pelvis
Unilaterally tilts the pelvis
Innervation
Lumbar plexus and lumbar spinal nerve branches

Clinical relevance
Psoas dysfunction is commonly related to altered spinal mechanics or nerve irritation within the lumbar plexus. It may present as hindlimb weakness, toe dragging, resistance in the canter, spinal stiffness, and reluctance to engage from behind. Riders often describe a horse that feels disconnected back to front or lacks power without obvious limb lameness. Because of their depth, the psoas muscles cannot be palpated like superficial muscle groups, making lumbar and pelvic biomechanics essential to assess.

Chiropractic insight
Restrictions in the lumbar spine, lumbosacral junction, or pelvis can alter psoas function and lumbar plexus mechanics. Restoring joint motion and neuromuscular coordination is key to reestablishing true hind end connection and spinal stability.

Save this post for reference.

Comment CORE if your horse feels weak behind or disconnected through the back.

Keep an eye out for this week’s Therapy Thursday post where I’ll share practical strategies for assessing and supporting the psoas.

01/29/2026

These words came directly from a recent podcast conversation, but they reflect how I approach every horse and rider I work with.

Performance, soundness, and longevity are not one-time fixes. They’re built through consistent care, proper biomechanics, and understanding how the horse and rider function as a system.

Ongoing chiropractic care helps:
• Maintain proper movement and alignment
• Support recovery between training and competition
• Catch small issues before they become bigger problems
• Protect long-term soundness and performance

My goal is not just to help horses feel better in the moment, but to help them stay moving well over time. That consistency is what makes the biggest difference.

If you’re already on the schedule, thank you for trusting me with your horse’s care. If it’s been a while since your last visit, this is your reminder that maintenance matters.

Reach out anytime to get back on the books or plan your next session.

01/28/2026

Cold weather is one of the biggest hidden colic risks.

With temperatures across the Northeast dropping into the single digits most nights this week, hydration often becomes an overlooked but significant risk factor for horses.

Horses naturally drink less water in cold weather, especially when water is icy, unpalatable, or partially frozen. Research shows that when water temperature is maintained around 45–65°F, horses can drink up to 40 percent more water per day compared to near-freezing conditions. This difference alone can have a meaningful impact on digestive health.

Reduced water intake is consistently linked to a higher risk of impaction colic, particularly during winter months when forage intake is higher and overall movement may be reduced. Limited water access has been identified as one of the strongest management-related risk factors for colic.

Adequate hydration is essential for:
• Normal gut motility
• Efficient digestion and feed passage
• Thermoregulation
• Circulatory and neuromuscular function

Research also shows that subclinical dehydration, dehydration without obvious outward signs, can impair gastrointestinal function and fluid balance before clinical illness becomes apparent.

5 Ways to Encourage Water Intake in Cold Weather:

Offer clean, unfrozen water frequently
Use heated buckets or tank heaters
Add warm water to feed or mash
Offer loose salt free-choice
Add salt or an electrolyte to feed or mash

Studies evaluating salt form show that horses provided loose salt drink significantly more water than horses with access to salt blocks alone, making loose salt a more reliable option during winter.

Reminder:
If using heated buckets or tank heaters, regularly check water temperature, electrical safety, and cleanliness. Horses may avoid water that tastes off or is associated with equipment issues.

01/27/2026

Performance starts with correct movement patterns.

Regular chiropractic care helps improve mobility, balance, and neuromuscular function while supporting recovery and long-term soundness. When the body moves correctly, horses are better able to train, compete, and stay comfortable through the demands of work.

Appointments fill quickly, especially during travel weeks. If you’d like to get on the schedule and support your horse’s performance from the ground up, reach out to reserve your spot.

Contact us to schedule!

11/10/2025

ASMR sunday reset, but make it barn edition. 🐴☔️

There’s no better way to close out the week than slowing down and taking care of the ponies.

Peak Performance International LLC

02/17/2026

02/16/2026

02/12/2026

02/10/2026

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

01/29/2026

01/28/2026

01/27/2026

11/10/2025

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