Releasing the key areas
Three important junctions in the horse’s spine are key to healthy back mobility. Here are some gentle techniques to help release any tension in these areas.
The poll responds well to very gentle pressure.
In order for the horse to be able to carry a rider in a healthy manner, his spine has to have just the right combination of flexibility and stability. The joint between each vertebra has to be able to move in an optimal, controlled way. While this is true for the entire spine, there are three key areas that are more sensitive to restriction. These are the poll-atlas connection, the cervico-thoracic junction and the lumbosacral joint. Here are some easy techniques you can do for each of these areas to help with optimal mobility of the spine.
The junction between the skull and the first cervical vertebra is a very important one. Restrictions here impede the horse's sense of balance, negatively impact his teeth and throw the entire neck musculature out of whack. Since this is a very sensitive area, we need to be very gentle, especially if we suspect there might be issues there. Stand beside the horse and take hold of the halter with one hand. The hold should not be too tight, the horse has to be able to move his head, if he wants to. Place the palm of the other hand on the poll, just below the crownpiece of the halter. Just let your palm rest there while the horse relaxes. Without increasing the pressure, imagine your hand melting into the muscle tissue underneath. Breathe deeply and relax your shoulders. A gentle touch can go a long way on this sensitive area, so be patient. Most horses will relax into this and start to close their eyes. If your horse has trouble with tolerating touch in the poll area, consult a professional.
The cervico-thoracic junction sits just behind the scapula so it's not easy to access directly. However, we can address it indirectly in many different ways. Here's an easy one. Stand next to the horse, facing the hind end. Put each hand on the base of the neck, as if you're trying to embrace the cervical spine with your palms. Let your horse relax into this feeling. As he relaxes, start to move the vertebra between your hands gently left to right. This does not have to be a big move. Find a rhythm that works for your horse to relax. If he stars to nod his head left and right in rhythm with your rocking motion, you're doing it right. Again, this is a gentle, but powerful move, so be patient and give your horse enough time.
The third technique will address the lumbosacral junction, an area that's often restricted or overworked. Find the sacral tuberosities (the top of the pelvis) and place the palms of your hands next to each other just in front of them. Then start to gently move your palms perpendicular to the spine, but in a way that you are only moving the skin over the lumbosacral area. Imagine the skin gliding over the muscles. When your horse relaxes, you can add a little stretch along the spine. In addition to moving your hands up and down, you also start to think about moving them apart, stretching the skin underneath. During all of this, your hands stay in the same position, it's only the skin that moves. This does wonders for the connective tissue surrounding this area.
All of these techniques are very gentle and address both the soft tissue and the nervous system. If your horse has serious issues, this won't be enough, you will need to find a professional to help you, but as a general preventative measure, these moves can be a wonderful addition to your horse's training regime.