Whole Horse Connection, LLC

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Whole Horse Connection, LLC

I I've always believed that the best person to improve a horses well being is that horses owner.

By using the variety of therapy modalities I am certified to teach, the horse and horse owner create a stronger bond which makes all aspects of training and competing much easier. The fastest way to make a horse trust you is to give them relief from distress and discomfort, and this can be accomplished by your own hands, or with the addition of micro current stimulation tools. Although I will treat a client's horse myself if requested, my true passion is teaching the horse owner how to treat their horses themselves. This way, the owner not only saves money, but also creates the bond with their horse personally. The owner also does not have to fit the needs of their horse with an outside chiropractor or equine therapists schedule and time frame. An additional benefit is that the horse can get relief as soon as he needs it, not a few days or weeks later, when the chiropractor will be available. This becomes a routine maintainance regimen, which will not only fix small issues before they become larger issues, but will also keep the horses muscles and fascia pliable to better fend off injury to begin with.

11/07/2023

After a 4-year hiatus that was spent pursuing independent licensure as a professional mental health therapist, Whole Horse Connection is back in business in beautiful Gold Canyon, AZ!

03/11/2019

Digestive disturbances- we all got em- including our faithful steeds-
Scientifically proven solutions?
1). Alfalfa Hay: Nadeu (2000) showed that only 50% of performance horses who were fed alfalfa hay vs 83.3% of horses who were not fed alfalfa presented with gastric ulcer lesions. It appears that the high calcium content in the alfalfa helps to inhibit gastric acid. When alfalfa is ingested, calcium absorption is increased, thus consequently, alfalfa hay could be used to prevent and heal gut lesions (Stowers, Waldron, Pryor, Hill & O'brien, 2013).
2). Yeast Addition: Since the welfare of digestive soundness is dependent on the balance of intestinal microbia, it is easy to conclude that microbial imbalances can cause colic or laminitis (Grimma, Pais & Julliand, 2018). Feeding high-grain diets have been associated with dehydration in the colon, which leads to colic and gastrointestinal distress (Blue & Wittkopp, 1981), and laminitis is a consequence of poor fiber fermentation, dehydration of digestive system, gaseous distention and colon displacement. Inflammation of the lamellar tissue in the hoof is a response to these negative factors, thus minimizing these factors by diminishing them and increasing the dosage of viable yeast to enhance the productivity of the digestive system would be far more beneficial.
3). Feeding and Time Management: About 60% of horse owners in the study constantly overfed their horses (Westendorf, Clusters, Williams, Joshua & Govindasamy, 2013). Feeding frequency also affects the gut microbiata, as generally, feeding horses three times a day vs two times a day or once a day significantly increases the protective microbials in the digestive system (Veneble, Fenton, Braner, Reddington, Halpin & Heitz, 2017).
4). Dietary Fatty Acid Supplementation: Diet is a factor that can predispose a horse to lower insulin sensitivity, and it is associated with the occurrence of laminitis, hence supplementation that would increase insulin sensitivity should be the priority to reduce the incidence of laminitis and metabolic syndrome. The direct supplementation of marine oil (algae and fish oil) increased the level of alpha-linoeic acid, arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, docosapentaenoic acid, and eicosapentanoic acid in the synovial fluid far more than traditional plant based (coconut, flax) concoctions (Ross-Jones, Hess, Rexford, Ahrens, Engle & Hansen, 2014).
5). Pectin: Crop by-products that are rich in pectin have high digestible energy, which will reach the cecum and provide the energy needed for performance and maintenance. Citrus and beet pulp contain high amounts of pectin, as well as other citrus families such as lemon, tangerine and pineapple (Frape, 2008). Good pectin fermentation occurs in the hindgut and thus promotes the viability and positive maintenance of the hindgut system, which is often neglected in the identification and treatment of debilitating ulcers.
Conclusion: Dietary characteristics are the main cause of digestive upset in equines. Feeding management, time of feeding, and dietary fatty acid supplementation will assist in avoiding metabolic disorders such as colic, ulceration and laminitis in the performance horse. Following these guidelines will reduce metabolic disorders that are triggered by depression of healthy gut bacteria and inconsistent feeding routines.

Blue, M.G. & Wittkop, R.W. (1981). Clinical and structural features of equine enteroliths. Journal of American Veterinary Medicine Association, 179:79-82.

Frappe, D. (2008). Nutrion and equine nutrition. Roca: San Palo, p 616.

Grimma, P., Pais de Barros, J.P. & Juliand, V. (2010). Impact of diet on bacterial lipopolysaccharides in equine f***s and blood. Livestock Sciences, 215: 2-6.

Nadeau, J.A., Andrews, F.M. & Matthew, A.G. (2000). Evaluation of diet as a cause of gastric ulcers in horses. American Journal of Veterinary Sciences, 61:784-790.

Ross-Jones, T., Hess, T., Rexford, J.M.S., Ahrens, N., Engle, T. & Hansen, D.K. (2014). Effects of Omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on equine synovial fluid fatty acid composition and prostaglandin E2q. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 34:779-783.

Stowers, N.L., Waldron, L.A., Pryor, I.D., Hill, S.R. & O'Brien, J. (2013). The influence of two lucerne-based forage feeds. Journal of Applied Animal Nutrition, 2:1-6.

Veneble, E.B., Fenton, K.A., Braner, V.M., Reddington, C.E., Halpin, M.J. & Heitz, S.A. (2017). Effects of feeding management on the equine cecal microbiata. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 49:113-121.

Westendorf, M., Clusters, V., Williams, C., Joshua, T. & Govindasamy, R. (2013). Dietary and manure management practices on equine farms. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 33:601-606.

06/27/2018

Copper-coated horseshoe nails? Here's some real evidence....

We've heard the claims from the farriers who tout their benefits, but are they really worth the extra cost? While there are horse owners who believe they are worth it- there are an equal amount of those who say that they are not. Even professional trainers, veterinarians, and farriers can be undecided. A new research study on the topic now provides us with the scientific evidence that previously had been lacking from the picture.

In this research study, a group of horses were shod for two shoeing cycles, with one front foot having steel nails, and the other front foot having the copper-coated nails. At the end of the second shoeing cycle, the shoes were removed and the solar surface and nail holes were assessed. After analytical assessments were evaluated, it was found that the condition of the nail holes in the hoof were significantly healthier for the copper-coated nails than they were for the steel nail holes. From this evidence it was concluded that "the well-known antimicrobial effects of copper may apply to the application of copper coating of horseshoe nails in reducing the microbial damage to the horses hoof frequently associated with horseshoe nail insertion" (Hampson & Wilson, 2018).

This information might be particularly interesting for those who have horses who struggle with chips, cracks and other traumas to the hoof that have weakened the hoof wall structure. These damaged areas allow bacteria to ascend through the keratin tubules of the hoof causing the hoof wall to lose it's healthy elasticity and strength. Add this insult to the fact that horseshoe nails themselves create a shearing stress on the hoof wall, it is not surprising that some of us are left with a horse with not enough foot to nail a shoe on.

One more thing to note from this study, it stated that "Practical evidence from farriers indicates that copper may react adversely with aluminum horse shoes, resulting in damage to the hoof wall" (Hampson & Wilson, 2018). While there was no formal evidence on that theory presented, this author feels it something worth considering and discussing with your professional farrier.

Hampson, B. & Wilson, J. (2018). A comparative study on the effects of copper and steel nails on the health of horseshoe nail holes. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.06.005.

05/18/2018

Boots for Preventing Overuse Injuries- or not?

(An excerpt from: The Science Behind Equine Boots and Bandages Boots and wraps protect the horse’s limbs. But have you ever asked yourself why or how these dressings protect a horse’s leg–or if they even do?)
By Christa Lesté-Lasserre, MA | May 16, 2018
The Horse

It’s a commonly held belief that brush boots can support the large tendons running down the back of horses’ lower legs during exercise. Unfortunately, however, that might not be the case. No research has confirmed this and, biomechanically speaking, it’s difficult to explain how that could even work.

“It’s possible (although unlikely) that if the boot really somehow restricts the downward movement of the fetlock, so that it doesn’t overextend when coming down from a jump, for example, you might get some protective benefit to the tendon,” says Canada. “But even then, it would only be the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT). I don’t see how the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT, which runs beneath it) could be affected at all.”

Roepstorff is even more skeptical. “In the SDFT, the DDFT, and the suspensory ligament, you have a combined strain force of more than 1000 kg (more than 2,200 pounds) when the horse is just cantering—and much greater when he’s jumping,” he says. “Those are huge forces. You don’t support that by just putting something around it.”

It might make us feel like we’re doing something preventive for our horses’ tendons by investing in high-quality boots but, in the end, nothing they wear is likely to stop a tendon or ligament injury from happening. “Brush boots can’t protect the horse from getting overuse injuries, only traumatic injuries,” Roepstorff says.

Temperature Effects
For all the good we hope to achieve through applying wraps and boots to our horses, there’s one important effect that has been scientifically tested—and we still don’t really know whether it’s a good thing or a bad thing.

What we do know is that covering the legs with this kind of equipment causes a temperature increase of up to 30%, probably by trapping the heat inside, says Simone Westermann, DrMedVet, of the University of Veterinary Medicine, in Vienna, Austria. Her team’s study results showed that exercising without boots led to very little temperature increase in the legs compared to covered legs.

While boots and wraps might have some tendon-warming benefits on very cold days, the temperature increase could be damaging to tendons in certain situations. “It cannot be excluded that heat development under a tendon boot during strenuous exercise could be detrimental to the tendon cells,” she says.

Roepstorff agrees. “In vitro (in the lab) studies have shown that extreme temperatures (48°C/118.4°F) decrease survival of tendon cells dramatically. At the same time core tendon temperature has been measured to 45°C (113°F) during high-speed locomotion” he says. “They literally start to melt.”

The consequence is that you don’t need much of an increase in temperature to reach the breakdown stage. “The main cause for tendon injuries (is) of course the force, but I think the heating effect of boots and bandages could increase risk as well,” says Roepstorff.

But don’t panic and throw out the boots just yet. More research is needed to determine the exact advantages, if any, and disadvantages. In the meantime, being aware of the science behind boots and wraps, and recognizing that tradition isn’t always right, is a good start.

“We are living with a lot of presumptions about what these things do, but we don’t really know,” Roepstorff says. “And I’m not sure it’s always good. Clinically we do indeed see a number of injuries due to ill-fitted bandages and protection boots.”

02/09/2018

ACTIVE TRIGGER POINT SYNDROME (aka: the energy crisis syndrome)
In 1981, Travell and Simons introduced the "energy crisis theory" in regards to a condition manifested by having reactive trigger points. Have you ever wondered what reactive trigger points are, why they hurt so much, and why they are so exhausting to have? Pain itself is a mentally exhausting condition to endure - but pain caused by chronically contracted muscle fibers is physically draining, as explained through the "energy crisis theory."
Active trigger points can be felt as small, hard knots in the soft tissue. These "knots" are an overlapping layers of a muscle fiber(s) that have become stuck together, and no longer have the ability to slide across each other to release and lengthen the muscle. Basically, they are what is holding a contracted muscle in contraction. According to Dommerholt, Mayoral de Moral & Grobi (2006), "The swollen, contracted filaments (fibers) actually get stuck in the Z band because of the gel-like titin molecules ratcheting the fibers in place and preventing detachment." Recent studies of the bioelectrical output of these active trigger points demonstrate that the body discharges electrical frequencies 10-1000 times more than normal to maintain them, so now we see why they can be so exhausting and physically draining. Also, its been shown that these areas are deficient in calcium and ATP. (Quick description of ATP: ATP is the energy containing molecule found in every living cell - it is what holds the energy that fuels all of life's processes. It is known as the "energy currency of life" (Knowles, 1980). To have an abundance of ATP is to have an abundance of wealth- in terms of energy and good health).
If you follow the arrows in the second illustration, (sourced from: Starlanyl & Sharkey 2013) you will see how this cycle begins with a stressed muscle fiber releasing excess calcium and bioelectricity into the body, which causes a circulation dysfunction (decreased ATP, decreased circulation in restricted areas, etc), which inhibits oxygen and nutrients from being able to go where they were intended to go- electricity always chooses the path of least resistance, and so will detour around restricted areas. This essentially means that circulating energy will go around the restricted area and take all of it's cargo (nutrients) around with it. Not only does this leave those areas of tissue in a depleted state with no hope of regenerating to full potential, but now the body is using more energy to maintain the braces (knots) that it created around the injured area, which leads to more pain and dysfunction, and more creative compensating mechanisms, which work, until the whole system has a catastrophic break down.
This syndrome also explains why it is important to evaluate the condition of the soft tissue when assessing a lameness. Muscle wasting can occur overtime if these restricted areas and active trigger points are not addressed. Many times, after the primary cause of an injury is relieved, the horse will still be "off" because the compensatory braces within the tissues surrounding the original injury have not been released. Unfortunately, it will never occur to the horse to perform their own rehab exercises and stretches throughout their healing process, and so they get conditioned to believing that their limb only goes so far- and they do not have the cognitive ability to "think" about making it reach further. It takes a skilled physiotherapist to identify and address these remaining compensatory patterns in order to restore the correct functional range of motion and proper locomotion in their gait.
Cheng, N., Van Hoof, H., Brockx, E., Hoogmartens, M.J.,
Knowles, J. R. (1980). "Enzyme-catalyzed phosphoryl transfer reactions". Annu. Rev. Biochem. 49: 877–919. doi:10.1146/annurev.bi.49.070180.004305. PMID 6250450.
Mulier, J.C., De Dijicker, F.J., Sansen, V.M. & De Loecker, W. (1982). The effects of electrical currents on ATP generation, protein synthesis, and membrane transport of rat skin, Clinical Orthopedic (171), 264-272.
Dommerholt, J., Mayoral de Moral, O. & Grobli, C. (2006). Trigger Point Dry Needling. Journal of Manual & Manipulation Therapy, 14(4).
Travell, J.G. & Simons, D.G. (1983). Myofascial Pain & Dysfunction. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Photo credits: Starlanyl & Sharkey 2013, Niel Asher Education 2018.

01/09/2018

A SCIENTIFICALLY PROVEN PRACTICAL SOLUTION AND REMEDY FOR THE STRESSED OUT HORSE
Every horse owner has experienced those seemingly never-ending moments when their horse has become stressed. Scientifically, a horse is perceived as "officially stressed" when the cortisol levels in their blood or saliva increase, and also when their heart rate increases. Behaviors seen in the stressed out horse include actions such as rolling, rearing, barging, weaving, pawing, kicking and specific positioning of the tail, neck, ears and mouth (Oke, 2016).
A recent study has re-confirmed the results of another study done in 2012 on the positive influences of lavender aromatherapy on the stressed out horse. According to the newest study, after subjecting a sample of horses to a stressor (in this instance trailering) and then administering them with a 20% lavender oil and 80% distilled water aromatherapy treatment using a diffuser, resulted in a decrease in both cortisol levels and heart rates of the treated horses as compared to the trailered horses who did not receive the treatment. Specifically, according to the researchers, "Both the control and treatment horses showed significant increases in average heart rate and serum cortisol levels when trailered, indicating that trailering is a form of stress on the animals.... Overall, our results show that cortisol levels were suppressed in stressed horses that received lavender aromatherapy... In addition to cortisol repression by lavender aromatherapy, there is evidence of heart rate repression correlated with lavender aromatherapy" (Heitman, Rabquer, Heitmen, Streu & Anderson, 2018).
In the similar study from 2012, stressed horses were exposed to humidified air with the same 20% lavender oil treatment and concluded that their results "demonstrate that lavender aromatherapy can significantly decrease heart rate after an acute stress response and signal a shift from the sympathetic nervous control from the parasympathetic system" and also "equine practitioners could use lavender aromatherapy to reduce nervousness among horses in the examination area, or for treatment following performance competition to possibly hasten recovery time" (Ferguson, Kleinman & Browning, 2012).
These studies show that using lavender aromatherapy could be a cost effective way to help manage the effects of stress on a horse.

Ferguson, C.E., Kleinman, H.F. & Browning, J. (2012). Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy on Acute-Stressed Horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 33. 67-69.
Heitmen, K., Rabquer, B., Heitman, E., Streu, C. & Anderson, P. (2018). The Use of Lavender Aromatherapy to Relieve Stress in Trailered Horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2017.12.008.
Oke, S. (2016). All Wound Up: Is Your Horse Stressed Out? the Horse. 10(2).

12/28/2017

STRETCHING- back to the basics.
Stretching exercises for horses have faced some scrutiny in the past couple of years, and probably for good reason. However, when done properly, stretching exercises have been proven to increase the healthy elasticity of muscles, tendons, and ligaments and allow for more precise and quicker movements while also avoiding the likelihood of sprains, strains and tears in the soft tissue structures (Porter, 1998). Also, a regular stretching routine increases joint range of motion by creating willingness in the tissue to lengthen with less force (Taylor, Dalton, Seaber & Garrett, 2002). Other benefits of stretching include regaining proper balance (right to left, and front to rear proportions), better overall body awareness, and enhanced proprioception and coordination of limb placement (Frontera, Slovik & Dawson, 2006).
So after considering the benefits that are gained by a regular stretching routine, when can a stretching routine work against your horse? One of the latest criticisms against stretching is one stating that regular stretching can decrease a horses maximum thrusting power. This is based off of a study performed on rabbits and quail that shows that normal muscles stretched for 2 hours per day for several days will actually cause what is known as "stretch-induced hypertrophy," also known as decreased muscle mass and loss of contractile power, aka, "thrust" (Leterme, Coedonnier, Mounier & Falempin, 1994). For this reason, it is recommended that a stretch only be held at the end point for 10-30 seconds, starting with the shorter time and working up to the upper limit as tissue response increases (Thacker, Gilchrist, Stroup & Kimsey, 2004) during a stretching maneuver. Also, it is important for the one who is doing the stretching to be able to feel where the "end point" of the anatomical limit of the area being stretched is, since stretching beyond this point can cause muscle strain and tearing (Kirkendall & Garrett, 1999). Because of this, it is wise that a horse owner who wishes to implement a stretching routine into their conditioning program seek training from a qualified equine therapist who can teach them some general anatomy and biomenchanical concepts that will keep their routine working for them and their horse, and not against them.
In summary, if a horse owner at a minimum adheres to a weekly routine utilizing a few basic stretching exercises, they would be able to not only maintain a more supple and pain free horse (by relieving spasms and tightness accumulated through the work week) but also they would be able to compare from one week to the next, the normal range of motion for their horse. This practice would also allow the horse owner to be aware of any sudden deficiencies in their horses normal range of motion, and hopefully address them and resolve them, before the horse's innate protective mechanisms have a chance to set up a long term, chronic pattern of myofacial resistance and tightness.
References:
Frontera, W.R., Slovik, D.M. & Dawson, D.M. (2006). Exercise in rehabilitation medicine, 2nd ed. Human Kinetics Publishers, 33-43.
Kirkendall, D.T. & Garrett, W.E. (1999). Muscle strain injuries: Research findings and clinical applicability. Medscape General Medicine 1. http://www.medscape.com.
Leterme, D., Coedonnier, C., Mounier, Y. & Falempin, M. (1994). Influence of chronic stretching upon rat soleus muscle during non-weight-bearing conditions. Pflugers Arch. 274-279.
Porter, M (1998). The New Equine Sports Therapy. Lexington, KY: The Blood-Horse, Inc.
Taylor, D.C., Dalton, J.D., Seabar, A.V. & Garrett, W.E. (1994). Biomechanical and histological assessment of a controlled muscle strain injury treated with peroxicam. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 558-561.
Thacker, S.B., Gilchrist, J., Stroup, D.F. & Kimsey, D. (2004). The impact of stretching on sports injury risk: a systematic review of the literature. Medicine Science of Sports Exercise. 371-378.

10/27/2017

When someone tells you that their treatment modality has the ability to "increase blood flow" in certain areas of your horse, remember that this "increase" doesn't help much if the fascia covering the muscles and the blood vessels within them is restricted and tight. However, if we release fascia through the work of manual manipulation, (which includes having the knowledge of where the restricted area is located, i.e. not just attempting to "release" everything haphazardly in hopes that something might work), the blood flow is automatically improved because there is more space for the blood and all of it's supporting elements to flow through. Essentially, the treatment should start with identifying areas of restricted tissue through a visual assessment of movement patterns and physical palpations, followed by releasing the restrictions in the fascia- also known as "unwinding" the fascia, and lastly mobilizing stretches that will stimulate the horses brain into become aware of their new and improved range of motion. Take home message: The generic claim of "improving circulation and blood flow" is not useful if the pathways for blood and energy are restricted, or if the horse is not aware that the restriction has been released with the intent to improve his range of motion.
Here is a great definition of what fascia is, written by Carol M. Davis, DPT, EdD, MS, FAPTA, Professor Emerita.
"Fascia is a continuous web of tissue that covers everything in our bodies. You’ve seen it when you lift the skin off of a piece of raw chicken. It’s that thin, translucent tissue that stretches between the skin and the flesh. It actually penetrates into the flesh.
Fascia covers everything in the body, muscle fibers, bone, organs, blood vessels, the spinal column and brain in the form of dura mater that is part of the craniosacral system, and every cell. Normally the fascia is elastic-like, flowing and moving with the body, but injuries, traumas, repetitive motion, even restricted movement (such as wearing a cast or sitting too long—or being confined to a stall) can cause ‘restrictions’ in the fascia—spots that toughen, thicken, or become ‘dehydrated.’ These restrictions inhibit the natural fluidity of the fascia as it supports the body and moves with the body, and is actually the cause of tight muscles. Picture this: every fiber of muscle is coated with fascia. For the muscle to work properly the fascial planes need to be able to slide over one another. A ‘restriction’ causes the fascia to lose its ability to glide and it sticks, preventing the muscle from working properly.
Fascial restrictions in horses can be caused by injuries, restricted movement such as stall rest, poor collection techniques, training in repetitive patterns, and other training or management techniques that stress the horse.
According to research papers presented at the International Fascial Congress, the only therapeutic activity that releases fascial restrictions are sustained holding techniques that are applied by a trained therapist for a prolonged period of time."
From: Carol M. Davis, DPT, EdD, MS, FAPTA, Professor Emerita
Department of Physical Therapy,
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

10/09/2017

The scientific facts behind vibrational therapy (i.e. Theraplate, Pony Plate, etc).
"This kind of vibration did neither lead to activation of major limb or back muscle groups nor to warm-up effects, comparable to walk and trot" (Buchner, Zimmer, Haase, Perrier & Peham, 2017). "There are indicators that when whole body vibration is used for a long period of time, adaptation to it may take place and it will have a potential negative impact on certain musculoskeletal injuries" (Halsberghe, 2017). "The results suggest in normal exercising horses, whole body vibration does not further increase bone mineral content, increase markers of bone metabolism, or increase stride length" (Maher, Spooner, Hoffman & Haffner, (2017).
From a non-scientifically tested point of view, it has been repeatedly noted by the highest level of professional trainer that "there has been no significant increase in performance after vibrational therapy has been added to the training program." Because of the cost of the vibrational therapy platforms, scientific research has been goaded into testing the viability of the manufacturers claims. Unfortunately, for the consumer, not many of the manufactures claims have stood up against scientific evidence.
Buchener, H.H.F., Zimmer, L., Haase, L., Perrier, J. & Peham, C. (2017). Effects of whole body vibration on the horse: Actual vibration, muscle activity, and warm-up effect. Journal of Veterinary Science 51, 54-60.
Halsberghe, B.T. (2017). Long-term and immediate effects of whole body vibration on chronic lameness in the horse: A pilot study. Journal of Veterinary Science 48, 121-128.
Maher, K., Spooner, H., Hoffman, R. & Haffner, J. (2017). The effect of whole-body vibration on bone density and other parameters in the exercising horse. Journal of Veterinary Science, 71.

08/17/2017

Pandiculation- aka: "Beyond the Yawn," and "Yes, we actually do know how to stretch ourselves, when we want to."
Despite our very best efforts to stretch our horses in order to get them ready for competition or other planned activity, sometimes how we "stretch" them isn't exactly what our horses consider to be "stretching." Pandiculation is a behavior common to all living creatures, in horses it is defined as "the extension of the legs, the raising and stretching of the limbs and the throwing back of the head and trunk" (Fraser, 2010). Through the act of pandiculation, the horse strengthens the connection between the sensory motor cortex of the brain and the muscle. Not only is there an active participation of the brain during pandiculation, but there is also an active participation of the entire myofascial system, which comprises the fabric that gives definition and order to the musculoskeletal system of the horse. According to Fraser, (2010), "the stimulus to pandiculation can be assumed to be feedback from stiffness. In addition, the phenomenon at times may be in response to a period of asymmetry in horses."
Why is it important to consider pandiculation when we think about "stretching" our horses? Consider this: "Stretching" is passive - meaning that during our "stretching" of the horse, the horse is not actively using the muscle, the muscle is merely being pulled upon. Also, according to scientific research, traditional stretching "causes deficits in strength, power output, and muscle activation" (Marek, Cramer, Fincher, Massey, Dangelmaier, Purkaysatha, Fitz & Culbertson, 2005). This research indicates that even though our performance horses are accustomed and well mannered enough to oblige to our "stretching" routines, these routines may actually be decreasing their performance level if they are merely used to "stretch" the muscles. The savvy "stretcher" will have the feel to know if their horse is actively engaged (pandiculating) in the stretching routine, or if they are simply in the "yea, whatever- just pull my leg however you want it" automated response mode. As with anything else we do when we interact with horses, we have to make sure that they are with us, and in to the activity, as much as we are - because if they aren't, it isn't very beneficial.
Fraser, A.F. (2010). The Behavior and Welfare of the Horse, 2nd ed. Oxfordshire, UK: Cambridge University Press
Marek, S.M., Cramer, J.T., Fincher, A.L., Massey, L.L., Dangelmaier, S.M., Purkaysatha, S., Fitz, K.A. & Culbertson, J.Y. (2005). Acute effects of static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching on muscle strength and power output. Journal of Athletic Training, 40(2).

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