What is the Iliopsoas? The ilioposas in horses is made up of 3 muscles * Psoas Major * Psoas Minor * Iliacus
Check out Gillian Higgins study of the Iliopsoas group for detailed and 3 - dimensional videographic view of the anatomy!
This model was sculpted by Gillian Higgins as an aid for her teaching and anatomy and biomechanics lectures. Learn more about it at www.HorsesInsideOut.com - Want to know more follow the links at the end of this article!
The Iliopsoas is a strong and prime hip flexor, with a functioning role in stabilising the thorocolumbar junction, lumbar vertebrae, the lumbosacral junction and sacroiliac & hip joints. It contributes to bringing the hind limb under the body, creating flexion and rotation of the pelvis. It is made up of slow twitch, Red type I fibre, meaning they contract relatively slowly, producing low power contractions over long periods and are slow to fatigue.
The fact that such fibers can function for long periods without fatiguing makes them useful in maintaining posture, producing isometric contractions, stabilizing bones and joints, and making small movements that happen often but do not require large amounts of energy. They do not produce high tension, and thus they are not used for powerful, fast movements that require high amounts of energy.
Iliopsoas dysfunction/injury...... Not heard of that before??
Iliopsoas dysfunction / injury is not widely spoken about in the equine world, but its all over the canine and human world. In fact I see Iliopsoas dysfunction in my human patients every week! In canines / humans such injuries arise from excessive stretching during highly athletic activities or from slipping, excessive training and bracing, splaying legs etc. Therefore, it is highly unlikely that horses are not also exeriencing such injury or dysfunction!! I mean we've all watched our horse's through hands over our eyes galloping around a wet field skidding about!! Dr. Audrey DeClue, from episode 35 of her podcast "The horse first" speak at length about this injury, its presentation and likely influence on further musculoskeletal issues such as Shivers, Stringhalt, hock, stifle, Sacroiliac & fetlock dysfunction, Proximal suspensory injuries and lower back pain/ kissing spines.
Causes can come from slipping, falling, seasonal > deep muddy paddocks and somersalts. However, Dr Audrey DeClue states that the most prevalent cause of such injury is pushing young horses too young, compressing them into an advanced frame too soon or jumping too high, too often whilst these horses are still develeloping. There is no avoiding the statistics on these injuries and shiver/stringhalt occuring more prevalent in slow maturing warmbloods / draught breeds.
What are the signs?
A shortened / restricted / dysfunctional Iliopsoas can present as the following ...
Postural
Camped out appearance
.Externally (outwardly) rotated hind limbs
Roached back appearance in the lumbar (behind the saddle)
Wide stance / base wide hind limbs
Movement
Toe drag - Unable to move without dragging toes > messy stable where horse has not picked up feet is observed.
Toe tick - Where the horse ticks the ground at the start of the flight arc, where push, flexion & limb protraction is compromised/weakened by dysfunction
Toe stab - Toe first landing, with a toe pushed into ground then heel.
Interference - Brushing hind limbs and injury to inside of hind limb. The opposite limb to the one with injury has likely dysfunction. Cannot pick up limb and bring it fowards, as protaction and rotation of pelvis is compromised.
Transitions / half halt difficult - especially canter
Lacking in movement forwards and difficulty engaging or connection - heavy in the hand and on the forehand.
Canter issues - Peggy / upright canter - Pelvic region unable to flex and / or "cross cantering" - changing leads
Difficulty backing up - unable to back up in 2 gait rhythm and not backing up straight. Backing up more to the left or right shows dysfunction in the Iliopsoas on that side.
Jumping - shape is flat, jerky and often shows a twist in the hind limbs to one side.
How to treat?
Iliopsoas injuries in humans are difficult to treat and rehabilitate but not impossible. Due to there function its difficult to limit movement to therapeutic levels. However, it is possible. Dr Audrey DeClue recommends the following -
* Soft tissue therapy / Iliopsoas release
* NO hill work - this causes continual bracing through a dysfunction muscle, strengthening the dysfunction and further causing issues
* Long and low is NOT your friend - when lowering of the neck tightens the nuchal /supraspinatus ligament, opening up the lumbar spinal processes - overstretching the Iliopsoas injury and making the condition worst.
This is also where Celeste - Leilani Lazaris's revolutionary "Balance Through Movement Method" also plays a role in rehabilitation. Celeste speaks of Iliopsoas dysfunction being exacerbated by thoracic sling dysfunction and the over use / bracing of the under neck muscles. Her work through the 3 Pillars
#1 Independent Mobility of all 4 limbs
#2 Spinal Integrity
#3 Activate the correct muscles to produce more desired movement
It allows the horse to discover how to create lift and strength in the thoracic sling, how to make mistakes and create relaxation throughout their body and adopt a healthier posture, including the Iliopsoas muscle. An all round physical therapy for your horse both on the ground and ridden.
Find out more -
Want to find out more through the podcast - Iliopsoas injury through Episode 35 > Iliopsoas Injury in Sports Horses by Dr Audrey DeClue
Jean Marie Denoix > Biomechanics and Physical Training of the horse. https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Biomechanics_and_Physical_Training_of_th.html?id=7-PMBQAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=kp_read_button&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&gboemv=1&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q&f=false
Horse has treatment with me - prepared to be chatted to death about Celeste's work - in the meantime find out more through the "Balance Through Movement Method" masterclass course
Accesible anatomy & physiology - Gillian's Higgins Horses inside out https://www.horsesinsideout.com/post/the-pelvis-and-iliopsoas
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