The Dorsoventral Chain
Core stability
Core stability is an important concept to ensure functional movement. Core stability assists with the function of the dorsoventral chain to enhance greater spinal flexion and stabilisation. This concept adheres to the bow-and-string theory, which suggests that the equine thoracolumbar spine acts like a flexible bow, maintained in this position through engagement of the abdominals and sub-lumbar muscles, providing tension in the ‘string’. Therefore, increased core engagement increases trunk flexion, subsequently increasing vertebral flexion.
Additionally, engagement of abdominals, some of which attach to the hip joint, enhances hindlimb protraction and range of motion. Therefore, as the hindlimb generates propulsion in the horse, enhanced forward motion can be generated to transfer energy forwards. Spinal stabilisers and core musculature contribute to stabilisation and enhances energy efficiency to reduce the travel cost of movement. When aspects of this chain become damaged or imbalanced, biomechanics will be impacted. Furthermore, insufficient tension of muscle allowed the weight of the trunk to extend the intervertebral joints, and may encourage a lordotic posture.
Dysfunction of the dorsoventral chain:
- Back pain: kissing spines, high tone of muscle, muscle spasms and sensitivity will limit the ability of the trunk to flex, therefore reducing hindlimb and forelimb protraction, retraction and range of motion
- Weak core: reduced ability to engage core muscles to lift through the back, causes compensation of spinal muscles
- Overdeveloped neck musculature affects the function of the bow and string theory and encourages energy generation from the forelimb rather than the hindlimbs, reducing overall equine performance and energy efficiency
Correct balance of muscular chains
Correct balance of the equine dorsoventral chain is fundamental for equine movement.
- Maintains and improves equine posture
- Reduced risk of injury
- Prevents overextension of the vertebral column
- Reduces compensatory movement, which can cause secondary hypertonicity, pain and muscle tightness
Exercises
1. Carrot Stretches
- Increase deep spinal muscle cross sectional area, which provides increased segmental vertebral stability throughout the spine
- Relaxation of spinal muscles as they elongate, concentric contraction of core muscles as they are engaged
- Suggested to reduce lordotic posture
2. Pole work
- Individual limb loading
- Increase core engagement
- Increased core engagement, which increases thoracolumbar flexion
- Increased activation of muscle and contractile effort, promotes muscle growth to increase muscle mass. This provides greater contractile strength to enhance performance
- Increase limb joint flexion
3. Underwater treadmill
- Increased stride length and limb range of motion can be influenced through water heights which can increase engagement of core and spinal muscle
- Increased buoyancy and drag increase muscle activation and flight arc height
- Increased lumbar extension which leads to increased cranial thoracic flexion
- Lower water heights: encourage lower head carriage, which can increase thoracolumbar flexion and hindlimb protraction
- Increases greater lateral bending, rotation through the back and pelvic flexion, which increases muscle activation to contribute to increase muscle mass and stability
- Longitudinal evidence has demonstrated a significant increase in spinal and hindlimb muscle development following underwater treadmill sessions, which increases trunk stability
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