Here is an illustrated list of potential pain/stress areas that both Manolo and Debranne Pattillo of Equinology INC find to be sensitive or painful when doing bodywork or checking horses while training as Manolo does. These are indicative of issues that need addressing before tenderness becomes soreness becomes pain becomes unsoundness becomes lameness.
In the image above, Manolo is demonstrating his “metric system” for evaluating posture by looking at the angles of the horses profiles and shoulders:
a: temporomandibular joint
b: poll – directly behind the ears
c: head obliques and other “head” (capitis) muscles
d: cervical portion of rhomboid and trapezius muscles
e: muscles converging at the base of the neck and at the neck/shoulder intersection (serrated cervical muscle, multifidi of the neck, brachiocephalicus, subclavius muscle)
f: muscles at and behind the shoulder joint (often found with “h”)
g: biceps brachii; on the cranial surface of the check (front); pectoral muscles next to sternum
h: flexor of the shoulder; tensor fasciae antebrachii and the long head of the triceps brachii
i: ascending pectorals
j: rear (caudal portion) and pocket of the withers; shelf of ribs at the scapula intersection
k: transverse abdomen muscle and hip flexors
l: multifidi of the trunk (especially lumbar) and muscles over the thoracolumbar epaxial muscles
m: middle gluteal trigger
n: cranial edge of biceps femoris and semitendinosus
o: ischial segments of the biceps femoris
p: superficial digital flexor and gastrocnemius
q: accessory gluteal
r:caudal nerve
s: mid-shelf of the rib
t: last rib
u:subclavius
Y: saddle fitting point (illiocostalis and scapula junction)
X: rider
To learn more about equine bodies and wellness please visit Equinology
For a downloadable version of this information, please click here: Equinology and Manolo Stress Point
Our friend Dr. Fiona Mead, Azur Holistic Veterinary Services made the following suggestions:
“Check out these points on your own horse by gently palpating or striping over the areas indicated. If you horse reacts on several repetitive touches, there could well be a problem. Why repeat it? Because it could just be sensitive to touch to start with. If the reactivity gets worse with multiple striping/touchings, this increases the likelihood of a muscle soreness or issue being present. Be careful if your horse goes to bite you in any of these areas – some are less tolerant than others, potentially because they are more sore and cannot stand to be touched in any way! Depending on the sensitivity of your horse, if you start too softly, you could annoy the horse and they think you are like a fly that needs removing from the area. Be purposeful but gentle in your touch. If you know your horse to be sensitive, start more gently.”
