The equine neck and its function during movement and locomotion.

The research article explores the function of the equine neck in horse movement and locomotion, focusing on the muscular, ligamentous, and bone structures involved. It discusses how the horse’s head and neck aid in balancing during movement and how neck position can influence the whole body, including the spinal cord and nerves.

Understanding the equine neck’s function during movement

• The authors describe the horse’s neck as a significant balancing mechanism that helps in both sideways (lateral) and forward-backward (craniocaudal) locomotion and motion at stance. It integrates information from the visual, vestibular (related to balance), and proprioceptive (sensing body position) systems.
• The research indicates that the horse’s neck is crucial to its movement as its function goes beyond intervertebral motion but is a part of the overall locomotion of the horse. This is evidenced by different horses bred for various tasks having different neck conformations.

How the neck affects overall posture and movement

• According to the study, the neck not only influences motion but affects a horse’s overall posture, trunk and limbs as well, through a network of bony, ligamentous, and muscular structures.
• The neck position can be influenced easily by a rider or training aids, making it a vital aspect of training new neck and overall horse movements.

The impact of neck position on spinal health

• Moreover, changes in neck position have implications on the cervical spinal cord and the roots of the spinal nerves. The research points to both long-term and short-term neurological changes as a result of cervical vertebral disorders or maximum flexion in neck and head positioning.
• This study validates how much we still have to learn about the direct implications of horse neck movements on their neurological health.

The role of the neck during locomotion

• During locomotion, a horse’s neck stores elastic energy within passive tissues, such as ligaments, joint capsules, and fasciae. The paper explains that muscle activity is necessary to stabilise this process effectively.
• Sustaining such stabilisation is a learned trait that requires consistent muscle training. It helps prevent undue stress on the vertebral joints and potential harm to the spinal nerves and spinal cord.
• A decline in this stabilisation capability is commonly observed in older horses due to progressively weaker muscle tissue, strength, and coordination.