~~~~Did you know that the Horse has a HYOID APPARATUS in their throat that affects ability to release to bit pressure? Its made up of 2 bones, fused together, arranged in U type shape, and the top portions are imbedded in the back of the tongue!! ( and in the soft tissue of the neck between the mandible and the larynx.) If this HYOID APPARATUS is restricted, tight, and therefore inelastic, horses have jaw and mouth discomfort relating to release of the jaw and mouth to bit pressure.********The function of the HYOID APPARATUS is to provide attachments for the muscles and ligaments of the tongue, pharynx, NECK AND STERNUM!!!! Six muscles of the sternum attach to the HYOID APPARATUS!! So, you can see how restriction, tension and tightness regarding the HYOID APPARATUS and surrouonding fascia could affect negatively the ability of the whole forehand of the horse to be supple and elastic!~~~~~~~~This is one of the BIG REASONS why riding horses in HYPERFLEXION (ie, chin to the chest, flexed at 3rd, 4th cervical vertebra, Rollkur) is BIOMECHANICALLY INCORRECT!! Exaggerated longitudinal flexion (hyper or over flexion) causes the tongue to draw up, stopping the horse from having total relaxation in the jaws and mouth. It decreases space in the throat area, making breathing difficult, while causing stiffening, holding and tightness in the forehand due to the sternum muscle attachments, BAD DEAL!!!! ~~~~~SOLUTION: Equinastics(tm) # one, # two and # three. 1) Lateral Cervical Flex 2) Lateral Cervical Flex with Hindquarter Steparound 3) The TOPLINE STRETCH (especially the Topline Stretch) In my next post I will describe how these 3 EQUINASTICS begin the release process. Incorporating mini Lateral Cervical Flexes within the Topline Stretch at walk under saddle (utilizing figures) will continue the therapy process of releasing the HYOID APPARATUS, the TMJ, and the all important structures involved with a horses harmonious response to bit pressure (the jaw, mouth, omohyoideous, sternohyoideous, TMJ, brachiocphalic muscle etc,) ~~~the 3rd pic is looking down the horses gullet from the neck. The slender bones on each side are hyoid.
Posted on: Mon, 03 Nov 2014 20:06:00 +0000