Equine Thoracolumbar Adjustments

Question 1

E = Lumbar and Caudal Thoracics
Posterior (L6- T16)

(i.e. L4P / T18P)

Answer 1

DP: Either side; Shallow fencers stance; Ipsilat foot and contact hand
DC: Double pisiform
SC: SP
Stab: Horse
LOC: D-V

Question 2

E = Mid Thoracic Posterior
(T13-T15)

(i.e. T15P)

Answer 2

DP:
Either side;
If Caudal by function = Shallow fencers stance; Ipsilat foot and contact hand
If Cranial by function = Stand fencers stance facing cranially with foot closest to horse forward.
DC:
If Caudal: Double pisiform
If Cranial: Calcaneal fingers up; elbow tucked at 45 degrees
SC: SP
Stab: Horse
LOC: Transitional segment = anywhere from 90 - 45 degrees; D-V; MP determines LOC

Question 3

E = Cranial Thoracic Posterior (from +/- T13/14 - cranial)

(i.e. T6P)

Answer 3

DP: Fencers stance facing cranially with foot closest to horse forward.
DC: Calcaneal aspect of palm; fingers up; elbow locked into side; hand projecting forward at 45 degrees; Fingers pulled back!!
SC: SP
Stab: Horse
LOC: D-V 45 degrees; Cd - Cr

Question 4

E = Lumbars and Caudal Thoracics Posterior Right / Left (L6-T16)

(i.e. T16PR or L1PL)

Answer 4

DP: Ipsilateral side of listing; Fencers stance with ipsilat foot forward to contact hand;
DC: Double pisiform on a bale; DO NOT WRAP THUMB
SC: SP
Stab: Horse
LOC: D-V, L-M @ 15 degrees off midline

NOTES: When standing from a squat position you will naturally be at 15 degrees

Question 5

Mid Thoracics Posterior Right or Left (T13/14/15)

(i.e. T14 PR)

Answer 5

DP: Ipsilateral side of listing; Fencers stance
DC: Double pisiform; Ipsilat foot and contact hand
SC: SP
Stab: Horse
LOC: D-V, L-M @ 15-90 degrees off midline based on MP)

Question 6

Cranial Thoracics Posterior Right or Left (T3 - T13/14)

(i.e. T6PL)

Answer 6

DP: Ipsilateral Fencers stance; Superior leg forward
DC: Double pisiform of SUPERIOR hand (to follow angle of SPs); SP push move
SC: SP
Stab: Assistant Fencers stance on contra side on SP either side of listing with two knife edge contacts;
LOC: L-M

NOTES: LINE UP EPISTERNAL NOTCH WITH CONTACT

Question 7

Lumbar Posterior Right or Left (L1-6) Mamillary contact - Technique II

(i.e. L5PR)

Answer 7

DP: Opposite side of listing; Fencers stance with ipsilat foot and contact hand
DC: Double pisiform
SC: Mamillary Process
Stab: Horses
LOC: D-V 90 degrees

Question 8

Rib Dorsal

(i.e. T16 Rib D)

Answer 8

DP: Ipsilateral; Fencers stance with leg closest to horse forward
DC: Pisiform superior hand contact; fingers following the rib
SC: Dorsal arch of rib (Groove of iliocostalis)
Stab: Horse
LOC: 90 degrees D-V with slight external torque at end of body drop

Question 9

Rib Dorsal Caudal

(i.e. T17 Rib Dcd)

Answer 9

DP: Ipsilateral; Fencers stance with leg closest to horse forward
DC: Pisiform superior hand contact; fingers following the rib
SC: Dorsal arch of rib (Groove of iliocostalis)
Stab: Horse
LOC: D-V with slight external torque at end of body drop
Cd-Cr component

Question 10

Rib Dorsal Cranial

(i.e. T16 Rib Dcr)

Answer 10

DP: Ipsilateral FACING CAUDALLY; Fencers stance with leg closest to horse forward
DC: Pisiform superior hand contact; fingers following the rib
SC: Dorsal arch of rib (Groove of iliocostalis)
Stab: Horse
LOC: D-V with slight external torque at end of body drop
Cr-Cd component

Question 11

Intertransverse Joint (Right or Left)

(i.e. Rt Intertransverse)

Answer 11

DP: Ipsilateral Fencers stance with leg closest to horse forward
DC: Pisiform superior hand contact
SC: Transverse process on inter transverse joint (Quite far forward)
Stab: Horse
LOC: 90 degrees D-V with slight external torque at end of body drop

NOTES:
Body drop and wrist flexion

Setup elbow so locked into side; Elbow with SLIGHT bend in it

Question 12

How do you find the T17 rib contact?

Answer 12

Palpate forward one rib space from the last rib (T18).

Rib contact lies outside of the iliocostalis muscle in the second dip

Question 13

What is the anticlinal vertebra in the horse?

Answer 13

T16

Question 14

What is the intermediary zone in the thoracolumbar spine in a horse?

What happens in this zone with adjustments?

Answer 14

T13 / T14 / T15

MUST STATE = The LOC is determined by MP. It can be anywhere from 90 degrees to 45 degrees

Question 15

What are the caudal thoracic in a Horse?

Answer 15

T16, T17, T18

Question 16

What vertebrae do you count off in the thoracolumbar spine in horse?

Answer 16

T3 = First VP
T16 = First dip

Question 17

Describe the setup steps for a double pisiform caudal thoracic / lumbar adjustment on a horse

Answer 17

Stand tall with leg slightly forward n fencers stance
Hand position (flared fingers DONT WRAP THUMB); Same foot forward as contact hand
Squat straight down (DONT BEND FORWARD)
Project hands forward to find contact
Stand up - This will give 15 degrees
Move episterna notch if need to adjust LOC

Question 18

What must you not do when using a double pisiform contact?

Answer 18

Wrap the thumb!!!

Question 19

Describe the setup steps for a double pisiform cranial thoracic adjustment on a horse

Answer 19

Stand tall in fencers stance with superior hand contact
Hand position (flared fingers DONT WRAP THUMB); Same foot forward as contact hand
Line up Episternal notch
Project hands forward to find contact
Lean forward slightly

Question 20

Describe the setup steps for a cranial thoracic posterior

Answer 20

Stand tall
Fencers stance with leg closest to horse forward
Lock elbow into side
Project hand 45 degrees forward
Flare fingers up
Squat straight down
Move over to find contact ENSURING TO KEEP THE ELBOW LOCKED IN
Ensure straight posterior
Body drop

Question 21

How many thoracic vertebrae in a horse?

Answer 21

18