The Driving Force of your Horse

The Driving Force of your Horse.

The Hindquarters are the powerhouse of the horse, created by the muscles of the hindquarters and upper hind limb, the large powerful muscles of the hind limb extend the hip, stifle and hock joints to create push over the planted limb to create movement. 

Pushing unequally or lack of push or engagement from the hind end  may be due to an underlying discomfort or muscular weakness in one or both limbs.

This can be indicated by not only unequal muscle development over the hindquarter, hind limb or lumber but also by a lack or performance in one direction, jumping to one side, a resistance to work truly straight, having a preferred canter lead or behavioural issues under saddle.

A horse which pushes unequally from behind, with also transfer the force forward unequally, resulting in compensatory movement and loading patterns and secondary back pain.

The Hind quarters Muscles  

 

The Gluteals, which there are three, Superficial,  flexes the hip and abducts the limb.  medius ( middle)  extends the hip and abducts the limb  and deep( profundus) abducts the thigh, these provide forward propulsion and strength and can be up to 12inches in depth.

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The Hamstrings run down the back of the hind limb and are made up of the Semitendinosus,  semimembranosus   and bicep femoris .

These create movement by moving the hind limb and creating propulsion. 

The Semitendinosus extends the hip and hock and flexes the stifle, semimembranosus extend the hip and adduct the limb,

The bicep Femoris , generally extend and abduct the limb

 

 

Muscle Atrophy, is defined as a decrease in the mass of the muscle. 

 This can be due to pain, compromised function,  injury, disease or a neurological issue

 

 



Hind quarters week 1 visit , Muscle Atrophy in the medial gluteus bilaterally and the left Bicep femoris.


 

Indications of muscle atrophy
 

Muscular strength , power and endurance are distinct properties that effect the horse's performance.

strength training is used to improve the strength, power or endurance of the muscles. Improvement of muscular strength enhances performance , reduces injuries through stabilizing the joints effectively and preventing muscular strains.

 

Suppling exercises increase the range of motion by reducing tension and resistance, promoting movement with ease for your horse and less prone to strain.   

Hind end week 3, already improved muscle coverage and performance.

Strong, Healthy muscles enable your horse to look, feel good  and perform at there best.  

Recommended further reading. 'Conditioning Sport Horses' by Hilary M Clayton



Hind Quarters  week 6  visit