Fluid Transitions Equine Massage Therapy

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https://www.scienceofmotion.com/doc/straightness_forum.html The Science of Motion Straightness Forum. Starting May 15 General L’Hotte defines straightness as t...he hind legs following precisely the track of the front legs. When the horse is straight, the hind hooves follow exactly the lines followed by the front hooves. Alexis L’Hotte sees straightness as a way to achieve proper forward transmission of the hind legs’ thrust. The idea is theoretically correct but practically too simplistic and demands a deeper understanding of how the muscular system of the thoracolumbar spine manages the hind legs’ thrust into a uniform direction. This knowledge was not available in the 19TH century. The propulsive power of the hind legs is delivered to the thoracolumbar spine through the sacroiliac joint. If the thoracolumbar spine were straight, as in this picture, it would be conceivable that the hind legs in line with the forelegs could transmit thrust forward in a straight line. To create this picture, I had to align each vertebra and tape them on the other side. This is not reality. Perfect muscular symmetry does not exist. Please click link to read on and view more images.

My oldest and one of my first clients. Goes all The way back to EQ100 externship.

Cervical Vertebral Compressive Myelopathy Brian S. Burks, DVM, Dipl. ABVP Board Certified in Equine Practice Wobblers Syndrome. These horses have trouble walki...ng, giving rise to the name colloquial name wobbler. More scientifically, the term is cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVCM). As the name implies, the cervical (neck) vertebrae are misaligned or malformed, causing impingement (stenosis) of the spinal cord in the neck. This disorder belongs to a group of diseases known as Developmental Orthopedic Disorders, which occur in younger, fast growing horses, often from six months to three years of age; however, CVCM can occur in older horses as well- even in their 20s. Males, Thoroughbreds, Tennessee Walking Horses, and Warmblood horses are overrepresented. The neck consists of seven cervical vertebrae of several distinct designs. The atlas is wide and has flat processes. As its name implies from Greek mythology, the atlas holds up the head. The axis has a boney protuberance called the dens that fits into the atlas and allows rotation of the head. There is a narrowing of the vertebral canal due to this misalignment and malformation of the cervical vertebrae, causing a progressive compression of the spinal cord. Type I CVCM- the vertebral column is fixed in flexion (static) at the site of malarticulation/malformation. This usually occurs at C2-C3, but can appear at other sites. This type is uncommon and may present at birth. Type II CVCM- symmetrical overgrowth of the articular processes causes spinal cord compression during neck flexion (more cranial vertebrae) and/or extension (more caudal vertebrae), causing dynamic compression of the spinal cord. This occurs most commonly in nursing foals or weanlings, and the lesions are typically found in the mid cervical region. Type III CVCM- there is asymmetrical overgrowth of one articular process that leads to spinal cord compression from boney proliferation or soft tissue hypertrophy. It is most common in mature horses, but can begin in 1-3 year old horses. The lesion is most common in the distal neck at C5-C6 and C6-C7 and is a static lesion. Other authors have divided this disease into two types, those being static and dynamic. Individual horses may have either static or dynamic compression, or the can occur simultaneously. As stated above, the disorder belongs to the DOD group of diseases, with similarities to OCD lesions. Nutrition plays a large role in the development of disease. Excessive carbohydrates, along with micro- and macro- mineral imbalances (zinc, copper, calcium and phosphorus, respectively) are thought to lead to DOD in the horse and other species, such as the canine, where CVSM is common in Doberman pinchers and Rottweilers. There may also be a genetic component to any of the several DODs, including CVSM, where it is not uncommon to see progeny present with this disease that one or both parents may have been afflicted. Breeding of such horses is to be discouraged. The disorder may also be due to trauma, although in some cases this can be difficult to discern; the trauma may have arisen from subtle neurologic deficits, or trauma may incite the neurologic changes. The latter is more common in older horses with a history of poor performance, inability to progress with training, lameness, reluctance to bend, neck stiffness, tripping, and even behavioral issues. Young thoroughbred horses are most likely to present with dynamic lesions of the neck. These horses are associated with periods of rapid growth, causing enlargement of physes (growth plates) and angulation of adjacent vertebrae and malformation of articular processes from osteochondrosis. Static lesions are most common in Thoroughbreds, Tennessee Walking Horses, and warmbloods, although any breed can be affected. There is often osteoarthritis of the cervical facet joints, with boney proliferation that can bridge the joint, locking the vertebrae into place, or directly impinging the spinal cord. Physical examination of such horses is often unremarkable. There may be limb abrasions due to interference, or the toe may be dubbed off from excessive toe dragging. Young horses may have signs of DOD, including physitis, joint effusion from OCD lesions, and flexural abnormalities. There may be neck pain, atrophy of neck muscles, and lack of feeling near to affected vertebrae in older horses with joint abnormalities. There may also be focal sweating, palpable abnormalities of the vertebrae, and reluctance to raise or lower the head, or to bend the neck side to side. Most horses are diagnosed between one and two years of age. Affected horses present with symmetric ataxia, spasticity, and weakness. The progression is often insidious and can be mistaken for a lame horse. The hindlimbs are usually one or two grades worse than the forelimbs, due to where the spinal tracts run in the central nervous system. Cranial nerves are unaffected. In young animals, CVSM presents with bilaterally symmetrical ataxia and weakness; older animals are more likely to present with asymmetric signs as there is degenerative joint disease of the articular facets. General proprioceptive deficits (the knowledge of where the limb is in space and time) may cause the limbs to be in bizarre locations, such as widely placed or standing on the opposite foot. Toe dragging and extensor paresis may occur (noted during tail pull) are often present. Such horses have exaggerated movements, may overreach, stumble, and circumduct the limbs. Clinical signs may worsen during head elevation or walking down a hill. During circling, the inside limb may pivot instead of being picked up and placed properly. Truncal sway is common in later stages of disease. The horse may exhibit spastic movement. Deficits are exaggerated during circling, over obstacles, and up and down hill sides. Differential diagnoses for CVSM include protozoal myelitis, equine degenerative myelopathy, equine herpesvirus-1, viral encephalitides, rabies, and hepatoencephalopathy. Other congenital malformations may also exist, including occipitoatlantoaxial malformation, atlantoaxial instability, atlantoaxial malformation, butterfly lesions, hemivertebrae, etc. Additionally, spinal cord compression can occur due to trauma, vertebral fractures, intervertebral disc protrusion, aberrant parasite migration, spinal neoplasia, and other abnormalities. Diagnosis of CVSM is based upon signalment, history, a detailed neurologic examination, elimination of other causes of neurologic disease, imaging modalities, and post mortem examination, which remains the ‘gold standard’ for diagnosis. Routine blood work (CBC, Biochemical assay) is usually unremarkable. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis is important to rule out other diseases, including protozoal myelitis, hematoma formation, abscesses, and neoplasia. It can also be tested for viral encephalitides. Radiographs (x-rays) should be obtained to evaluate the spinal column for malformations, misalignments, and flaring of the epiphyses of the vertebral bodies, where there is new bone pushing into the spinal canal. Degenerative joint disease can also be evaluated. Plain radiographs can also be used to evaluate the intravertebral minimum saggital diameter of the spinal canal and the maximal height of the vertebral body. The ratio of these measurements should be greater than 50% in normal horses. An intervertebral measurement can also be used and should be greater than 48.5%. To confirm focal spinal cord compression, contrast myelography is used, under general anesthesia. Contrast agent is introduced via a spinal tap at the atlantoocciptal space, after CSF is removed in an equivalent volume to the contrast agent to be used. Radiographs are then taken in neutral, flexed and extended positions. The dorsal dye column is compressed by more than 50% at the site of compression, while the ventral dye column is completely attenuated. In some horses, compression may be unilateral, making ventro-dorsal views important for surgical planning. Both CT and MRI can be used for the evaluation of spinal stenosis in people. These modalities are limited in the adult horse as their size inhibits placement within the imager all the way to the C7-T1 junction. MRI is quite useful in humans and canines for the diagnosis of spinal compression, but has not thus far been accurate in the equine; there has been poor correlation between the site of compression and spinal cord histology. Treatment of CVSM is difficult and can be unrewarding in some cases. Medical treatment includes various anti-inflammatory medications, such as corticosteroids, NSAIDs, and DMSO. In the case of cervical facet disease, the joint can be injected with a mixture of sodium hyaluronate and corticosteroids. Medical treatment of CVSM may be used primarily for stabilization prior to surgery. Horses less than one year of age may undergo strategic diet manipulation. In this case, both protein and carbohydrates are restricted, with the aim of allowing the bone of the spinal canal to enlarge and no longer impinge the spinal cord. Although there have been no large, randomized, controlled studies, anecdotally, I have seen this work. Vitamin and mineral supplementation is important in these foals. Balancing the calcium:phosphorus ratio and providing zinc and copper is important. Vitamin E and selenium are recommended to help protect the central nervous system tissue. In horses older than one year of age that have spinal cord compression, surgical treatment is the best option, except in the case of cervical facet inflammation where compression is not great and there are minimal neurologic deficits. Surgical treatment is used to stabilize the vertebral column and stop the repetitive trauma to the cord. This involves the placement of a titanium basket between two adjacent vertebrae after removal of bone from both vertebrae. This stops the motion of the bones. In selected cases of a mass impinging upon the cord, a dorsal hemilaminectomy may be used to remove part of the upper portion of the vertebrae. Horses that have multiple sites affected and severe, chronic clinical signs, have a poor to grave prognosis. Humane destruction is advised. On the other hand, horses with less severe signs and a single affected site may return to full athletic function following surgery. This procedure is most successful in horses with acute clinical signs. Horses with persistent neck pain associated with cervical osteoarthritis but no evidence of fractures are well suited to cervical intervertebral fusion surgery. Prior to any surgery, horses are required to have a contrast myelogram to show the compressed area. Adverse reactions have occurred in up to 30% of horses, with a mortality rate of 2%. There may be worsening of neurologic signs and seizures are the most common complications. For diagnostic purposes, a saggital diameter ratio can also be used to avoid the complications of myelography. Fox Run Equine Center www.foxrunequine.com (724) 727-3481 Providing top quality medical and surgical care for horses.

https://thehorsesback.com/the-blown-out-pelvis-or-the-spru/

To feel correct contact "Imagine a fishing line. When the horse is behind the hand or empty, the contact feels like the fishing line is just hanging on the... water [image on left], but once you get the horse pushing into the bit, the contact you feel is like a draw on your back, elbows, forearm and handjust like a fish taking the line [image on right]." Mica Mabragaña Illustration by Sandy Rabinowitz This image first appeared in the Fall 2020 issue of Practical Horseman magazine.

Does your horse have this very common problem? The high/low heel syndrome: https://drkerryridgway.com//06/low-heel-high-heel-syndrome/

In the event you need emergency help.