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New Muscle Monday #1 – Latissimus Dorsi

Well, it is time to jump back on the blog train after too long of an absence! Starting today, and every Monday following, I will write about one muscle in a new feature called ‘New Muscle Monday’.

Here goes #1 – as always, any comments, questions, and/or suggestions are always welcome.

latdorsi

 

NAME: Latissimus Dorsi

ACTION: Flexes the shoulder and retracts the limb.

AFFECTED BY: Saddle fit, girth/latigo issues (affects not only the muscle but the fascia as well). Pressure points, girths with elastic on one side only, knots in the
equipment, etc. can all affect this area.

OTHER INFO:

This muscle is also linked with the Spleen meridian. Problems with this muscle may mean an imbalance with this meridian. An imbalance could show with any of the following:
– weakened immunity
– stifle and pelvis problems
– stocking up
– colic/diarrhea/digestive issues/weight issues

You can see in the below image where the meridian pathway sits and how the latissimus dorsi muscle could influence it.

 

spleenmeridian

There will often times be noticable knots in this muscle, as it sits just under the skin and fascia (also known as a superficial muscle).
Horses who show signs of discomfort while being brushed/saddled may be experiencing pain with this muscle (and oftentimes in other areas as well if saddle fit is an issue).

For those of you with a keen interest in anatomy, the latissimus dorsi originates from the thoracolumbar fascia and inserts at the medial humerous.

I hope everyone is having an enjoyable autumn. With the colder weather approaching (today I saw the first hints of snow on my car!) it is even more important to have regard for your horse’s health and well-being with proper warm-ups and cool-downs, suffiencient water intake, etc. All of that and more is for another post, though!

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Saddle Fit – it’s more important than you think!

Did you know that more than half of the riding horses out there are ridden with an ill-fitting saddle?

There is a lot to consider when trying to find a saddle that fits correctly. Among other things, you must consider what job it is intended for, how it contours to the horse’s back, whether or not there is enough spinal clearance, etc.

Also ask yourself, does it fit the rider who will be using it? Does it sit level and balanced with and without a saddle pad? Is there enough ‘rock’ along the panels or too much?

It may seem a bit overwhelming at first, but that’s where I come in! As your  saddle fitter, I will go through all of the steps to ensure a correct fit for you and your horse.

I will mention two of what are some of most common issues found in saddles.

First, the use of saddle pads. Too much padding, as well as the use of ‘fixers’ such as keyhole pads and risers, usually cause bridging and/or put the balance of the saddle too far back and situates the rider leaning back and putting more pressure over the kidneys. Bridging occurs when there are pressure points at the front and back of the saddle but no or little contact through the middle.
Remember, if your saddle fits well without any pads, the addition of anything other than a normal, thin pad will change the fit of the saddle! Compare it to a pair of your own shoes. Would they still fit as well with a huge, thick pair of winter wooley socks? Probably not! The same goes for your horse and what he feels when unnecessary bulk is added underneath the saddle.

Secondly, we must remember to assess the actual soundness and structure of the saddle itself. Has it been made/manufactured with attention to detail? It is more common then you may think, saddles being made with crooked trees! An easy way to assess is to sit it on flat ground, with the pommel/horn down, and stare striaght down over the panels. Does the saddle itself look even? Are the panels stuffed evenly, or is it lumpy or obviously more worn on one side?
You can also test for a broken tree by sitting the saddle against your leg and pushing  the cantle towards the pommel, as if you were trying to fold it in half. You shouldn’t feel any give in pressure – if there is, the tree may be broken and should be taken to a saddle maker for further assessment and to see if fixing it is an option.

 

Below is an easy to read article for more handy tips!


The Perfect Fit
Finding the right saddle for your horse is a mix of high-tech and hands-on approaches.