How to fix your horse’s crookedness with horse massage techniques
A one-sided deviation is a common problem in horses across all disciplines and levels. When a client raises concerns about this issue, I often pay attention to the longissimus costarum muscle—a small, narrow muscle in the back that lies along the outer edge of the large back muscle called the longissimus dorsi. The longissimus costarum muscle extends along the lateral sides of all the ribs and is attached to the thick fascia in the lower back and the forward end beneath the shoulder blade, and it connects to the last cervical vertebra. When palpated with the fingers, it feels like a 1-inch ridge beneath the longissimus dorsi. There are various reasons for stiffness in the longissimus costarum muscle, so a careful assessment must be carried out to determine the horse’s problem. If muscle stiffness appears to be the cause of the problem, there are three techniques that the Wilson Meagher Sports Massage method uses to address this discomfort. For more information, Practical Horseman+ members can watch the video below featuring expert Jo-Ann Wilson. For more information: click here to read an article about the longissimus costarum muscle and these sports massage techniques. To get more sports massage tips from Jo-Ann Wilson, click here. About Jo-Ann Wilson Jo-Ann Wilson is a licensed massage therapist, instructor, author, and researcher who has spent more than 30 years serving horses and riders at all levels and in all disciplines. She was a longtime associate and partner of Jack Meagher, a pioneer of sports massage, and is the director of Wilson Meagher Sports Therapy, which offers educational and clinical programs in the Wilson Meagher Sports Massage method. She has served as an athletic therapist for the U.S. and Canadian eventing teams at several Olympic, World, and Pan American Games. Wilson also offers online video instruction on her website and YouTube channel and holds live workshops. For more information, visit sportsmassageinc.com. Wilson recently wrote and published her book titled "Keeping Horses at Their Best: A Hands-On Guide to Equine Sportsmassage." Portions of this article are adapted from her book. To purchase a copy, click here. Source: Practical Horseman – Health