Equine Anatomy - Latissimus Dorsi

Muscles being discussed: Latissimus Dorsi

Location: The latissimus dorsi muscle is located in the horse’s back. This superficial muscle originates at the spine and attaches to the humerus.

Function: Allows the body to bend laterally, retracts foreleg to trunk, and flexes shoulder.

Symptoms of tension/Injury:

· Reactive when girthing, “cinchy”

· Soreness in muscle

· Shortened stride

Causes of tension:

· Injury (fall, kick to shoulder, hitting shoulder on object)

· Jumping events (landings)

· Cart/harness horses

· Racing

· Improper girth fit

How massage can help: Massage is a great way to address tension in the latissimus dorsi muscle. By breaking up adhesions in the muscle tissue, massage can help loosen up tense muscle fibers allowing your horse to have better flexion and movement. I’ll use percussion, compression, palpation, and trigger point therapy to address these issues.

Practical Horseman Magazine wrote a great article on how massage can help with soreness in a horse’s back muscles. Here is a link to the full article: https://practicalhorsemanmag.com/health-archive/relieve-your-horses-back-tightness-with-massage-11800