Resistance bands, dynamic mobilization, and balance pads may all look like they're not actually “doing” much, but these tools have been shown to improve a horse's postural stability and spinal muscle characteristics.
Postural stability protects the horse's spinal column, helps to maintain balance, and allows the horse to respond to destabilizing forces and reduces risk of injury.
Dr. Katherine Ellis and researchers from Colorado State University sought to determine the relationship between muscle strength and postural sway in horses. The scientists focused on the thoracolumbar multifidus muscles, which run next to the vertebra for the length of the spinal column, reports The Horse.
Multiple human studies have shown that damage or disease on the spinal cord has shown reduced multifidus cross-sectional area (CSA). The muscles become painful and then atrophy from lack of use, leading to a chronic cycle of pain and muscle impairment. The humans had reduced postural stability and increased postural sway, especially when combined with prolonged periods of rest.
Ellis hypothesized that the same would be true for equine patients on stall rest and that targeted exercises should be able to strengthen the muscles and allow horses to return to work while avoiding reinjury.
The scientists used seven horses enrolled in CSU's rehabilitation program, and had each complete core-strengthening exercises with balance pads, dynamic mobilization, and resistance band systems. The horses were ultrasounded at the beginning and end of the 12-week study. The team specifically measured thoracolumbar multifidus muscle CSA. They also collected postural sway information using force platforms, both with and without proprioceptive balance pads.
They found a significant increase In CSA between evaluations on both the lame and not-lame sides of the horse. They also found a moderate to strong negative correlation between CSA and postural sway variables, which means that as the multifidus CSA increased, the horse's stance was more stable.
The team concluded that an equine rehabilitation program which includes core strengthening can help improve spinal muscles and postural stability.
Read more at The Horse.
The post ‘Using Your Core’ Also Helpful For Equine Rehabilitation Patients appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
