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Natural rigaidity of the horse’s backbone.
Abstract: The functional anatomy of the thoracolumbar (TL) spine is considered in relation to the horse's ability to perform at speed and to jump. The morphological features quite clearly show the relative inflexibility of the equine back and this was confirmed by some experimental studies. Fresh post mortem specimens from 5 Thoroughbreds were used to estimate the limits of dorsoventral movement of the TL spine from mid-thoracic to the cranial lumbar (T10-L2). The individual spinous processes could be moved a mean 1.1-6.0 mm on maximum ventroflexion and 0.8-3.8 mm on dorsiflexion. The overall flexibility of the back was found to be 53.1 mm. Caudal to the mid-point of the back (T13) there was virtually no lateral or rotatory movement of the spine possible. The pathogenesis of some of the common causes of back trouble are discussed including the so-called vertebral subluxation and its treatment by chiropractic manipulation. From an anatomical viewpoint, this condition appears to be a misnomer and may simply be attributable to muscular imbalance leading to aspastic scoliosis.
Publication Date: 1980-07-01 PubMed ID: 6447593DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1980.tb03393.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article discusses the functional anatomy of a horse’s thoracolumbar (TL) spine, highlighting its relative rigidity and its implications on the horse’s athletic performance. The study used post-mortem specimens from thoroughbreds to gauge the TL spine’s range of movement, and discusses potential causes and treatments of common back ailments in horses.
Understanding the Thoracolumbar Spine in Horses
The first part of the study details the functional anatomy of the horse’s thoracolumbar (TL) spine, more commonly known as the area from the horse’s mid-back to its lumbar region. Specifically, the paper examines how the structural features of the equine back contribute to its relative inflexibility.
- The morphological characteristics of the equine back, which hint towards its inflexibility, are described and this notion is corroborated by various experimental studies.
- In order to determine the range of movement, fresh post-mortem specimens from five Thoroughbreds were used. Measurements were taken from the mid-thoracic to the cranial lumbar region (T10-L2).
Range of Motion in the Horse’s Back
The researchers found that:
- On maximum ventroflexion (downward bending), the individual spinous processes could be moved by an average of 1.1-6.0 mm.
- On dorsiflexion (upwards bending), the average movement was 0.8-3.8 mm.
- The total flexibility of the back was approximately 53.1 mm.
They further noted that there was little to no lateral or rotational movement in the horse’s spine past the midpoint of their back.
Common Back Troubles in Horses
The authors then discuss common causes of back problems in horses. They focus particularly on vertebral subluxation, a condition that is often treated by chiropractic manipulation.
- They argue that this condition might be misnamed from an anatomical perspective, as it might largely be due to a muscular imbalance leading to spastic scoliosis (a type of spinal curvature caused by muscle spasms).
- The paper doesn’t refute the existence of these conditions, but instead suggests a reinterpretation based on the anatomical evidence presented.
Cite This Article
APA
Jeffcott LB, Dalin G.
(1980).
Natural rigaidity of the horse’s backbone.
Equine Vet J, 12(3), 101-108.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1980.tb03393.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Back Pain / physiopathology
- Back Pain / veterinary
- Horses / anatomy & histology
- Horses / physiology
- Spine / anatomy & histology
- Spine / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Pilati N, Pressanto MC, Palumbo Piccionello A, De Angelis Corvi F, Beccati F. Impinging and Overriding Spinous Processes in Horses: A Narrative Review. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 13;15(18).
- Jones KE, Angielczyk KD, Pierce SE. Origins of mammalian vertebral function revealed through digital bending experiments. Proc Biol Sci 2024 Jul;291(2026):20240820.
- Baudisch N, Singer E, Jensen KC, Eichler F, Meyer HJ, Lischer C, Ehrle A. Influence of surgical intervention at the level of the dorsal spinous processes on the biomechanics of the equine thoracolumbar spine. Equine Vet J 2025 Mar;57(2):492-501.
- Smirnova KP, Frill MA, Warner SE, Cheney JA. Shape change in the saddle region of the equine back during trot and walk. J R Soc Interface 2024 Jun;21(215):20230644.
- Simonato SP, Bernardina GRD, Ferreira LCR, Silvatti AP, Barcelos KMC, da Fonseca BPA. 3D kinematic of the thoracolumbar spine in Mangalarga Marchador horses performing the marcha batida gait and being led by hand-A preliminary report. PLoS One 2021;16(7):e0253697.
- Spoormakers TJP, Graat EAM, Serra Bragança FM, Weeren PRV, Brommer H. Rater agreement for assessment of equine back mobility at walk and trot compared to quantitative gait analysis. PLoS One 2021;16(6):e0252536.
- MacKechnie-Guire R, Pfau T. Differential rotational movement and symmetry values of the thoracolumbosacral region in high-level dressage horses when trotting. PLoS One 2021;16(5):e0251144.
- Dietrich J, Handschuh S, Steidl R, Böhler A, Forstenpointner G, Egerbacher M, Peham C, Schöpper H. Muscle Fibre Architecture of Thoracic and Lumbar Longissimus Dorsi Muscle in the Horse. Animals (Basel) 2021 Mar 23;11(3).
- Jones KE, Gonzalez S, Angielczyk KD, Pierce SE. Regionalization of the axial skeleton predates functional adaptation in the forerunners of mammals. Nat Ecol Evol 2020 Mar;4(3):470-478.
- Jones KE. New insights on equid locomotor evolution from the lumbar region of fossil horses. Proc Biol Sci 2016 Apr 27;283(1829).
- Cerda IA, Casal GA, Martinez RD, Ibiricu LM. Histological evidence for a supraspinous ligament in sauropod dinosaurs. R Soc Open Sci 2015 Oct;2(10):150369.
- Nowroozi BN, Brainerd EL. Regional variation in the mechanical properties of the vertebral column during lateral bending in Morone saxatilis. J R Soc Interface 2012 Oct 7;9(75):2667-79.
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