Evaluation of intersegmental vertebral motion during performance of dynamic mobilization exercises in cervical lateral bending in horses.

This research aimed to examine the differences in angles of intersegmental bending in various parts of the spine in horses performing three dynamic mobilization exercises that involved lateral bending of the neck. The study concluded that these exercises do affect different parts of the vertebral column, and as the horse’s chin moved further back, the bending in the rear cervical and thoracolumbar regions increased, which could help strengthen the core muscles.

Methodology

• The researchers used eight healthy horses for this study.
• The technique used involved marking specific points on the horse’s body, including the head, cervical transverse processes, and spinous processes.
• A motion analysis system tracked these markers while the horses were standing in a neutral position as well as performing three different exercises that involved lateral bending to the left and right sides.
• The exercises were called chin-to-girth, chin-to-hip, and chin-to-tarsus mobilization exercises.
• The end positions’ intersegmental angles for each exercise performed to the left and right sides were then compared.

Findings

• The changes observed in the intersegmental angles were most significant at C6, especially during chin-to-hip and chin-to-tarsus exercises.
• These exercises also resulted in more significant lateral bending from T6 to S2, more than what was observed during chin-to-girth mobilization or while standing in a neutral position.
• The angle at C1 showed significant bending in the chin-to-girth position but not with the more rearward positions.

Conclusion

• There were observed differences in the amount of bending in various parts of the vertebral column during the dynamic mobilization exercises.
• The study suggests that when a horse’s chin moves further back, it results in increased bending in the rear cervical and thoracolumbar regions.
• This observation might be an indication that the more rearward positions could be particularly effective for activating and strengthening the core muscles used to bend and stabilize the horse’s back.