Today is post #7 in my 8-week series on the top 23 muscles that I address during a massage. Each week I’ll post between 2 and 4 mini-articles on specific muscles, or muscle groups. I’ll discuss the muscle name, location, function, methods for identifying injuries, and common cases of injury. Over the next week we’ll be talking about the muscles located in a horse’s shoulder. Today we are learning about the supraspinatus muscle!
Muscles being discussed: Supraspinatus
Location: The supraspinatus muscle is located in the horses shoulder. This muscle is deep to the deltoid (underneath). The supraspinatus originates at the scapula and inserts on the humerus.
Function: Extends the shoulder.
Symptoms of tension/Injury: *Most injuries involve trauma to the suprascapular nerve. • *Sweeney shoulder (atrophy of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles)
• *Lameness
• *Toe dragging
• Reluctance to extend foreleg
• Soreness in muscle
• Shortened stride
Causes of tension:
• Injury (fall, kick to shoulder, hitting shoulder on object)
• Poor harness fit on draft working horses
• Jumping events
How massage can help: Massage is a great way to address tension in the supraspinatus 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 compression and direct pressure to address these issues.
Disclaimer: Equine massage is not a replacement for proper veterinary care. Equilete cannot diagnose medical conditions, prescribe or recommend medications for treatment. If a horse is currently being treated by a vet for a medical condition the owner is responsible for clearing massage work with his/her vet prior to scheduling an appointment with Equilete for Equine Sports Massage Therapy (ESMT).
