Module 3 Thoracolumbar Equine Flashcards
Anti clinal vertebra in the horse
T15
Transitional Thoracic Vertebrae
Facet joints of T14, T13, and T12 change from sagittal to coronal over these 3 segments
most easily palpated upper thoracic vertebra
T3
upper thoracic vertebra
T11-T1
facets of upper thoracic are in the
coronal plane
in any thoracic or lumbar area, a vertebrae
may have reduced motion overall
may be stuck to the right
stuck to the left
stuck in neutral
Lumbar and Lower Thoracic (L6-T15) Posterior Right or Left Technique
PR or PL
SCP: dorsal tip of the spinous process on the side of the spinous process laterality
CP: protected pisiform of the INFERIOR hand
ST: on the side of spinous process laterality on an elevated surface sufficient to obtain correct LOC
STAB: inherent in the standing horse
LOC: PA with an LM component 5-10 degrees off of midline (up to and including the anticlinal)
Transitional Thoracic (T12-14) Posterior Right or Left Technique
SCP: dorsal tip of the spinous process on the side of the spinous process laterality
CP: protected pisiform of SUPERIOR hand
ST: on the side of spinous process laterality on an elevated surface sufficient to obtain the correct LOC
STAB: inherent in standing horse
LOC: starts at T15 with a PA and LM component 5-10 degrees off midline and transitions (T14-12) to straight LM at T11
Upper Thoracic (T11-T3) Posterior Right or Left Technique
SCP: spinous process on the side of spinous laterality stay as ventral as possible
CP: protected pisiform of the superior hand
ST: on the side of the spinous process laterality in a fencer’s stance. This may require standing on an elevated surface
STAB: stabilizer uses the heel of the hands on the spinous processes of the vertebrae above and below the one to be adjusted on the opposite side of spinous laterality standing in a fencer stance with head slightly flexed
LOC: LM
Lumbar and Lower Thoracic (L6-T15) Posterior Technique
SCP: spinous process
CP: protected pisiform of the INFERIOR hand
ST: facing the horse on an elevated surface sufficient to obtain the correct LOC
STAB: inherent in the standing horse
LOC: PA up to and including the anticlinal (L6-T15)
higher and taller than PR and PL
Transitional Thoracic (T14-T12) Posterior Technique
SCP: spinous process
CP: protected pisiform of the INFERIOR hand
ST: facing the horse on an elevated surface sufficient to obtain the correct LOC
STAB: inherent in standing horse
LOC: starts at T15 with straight PA and transitions (T14-12) to PA with a 45 degree IS component at T11
T11 inferior forearm should be almost laying on the back to get correct LOC
Upper Thoracic (T11-T3) Posterior Technique
SCP: spinous process
CP: protected pisiform of the INFERIOR hand
ST: facing the horse on an elevated surface sufficient to obtain the correct LOC
STAB: inherent in the standing horse
LOC: PA with a 45 degree IS component
Lumbar Intertransverse Joint Technique
SCP: transverse process of the cranial segment on the side of subluxation
CP: supported pisiform of INFERIOR hand
ST: next to the horse on the side of the listing on an elevated surface
STAB: inherent in the standing horse
LOC: PA with a slight downward rocking motion of the fingers
Anterior Rib Technique
SCP: Rib at sternocostal border
CP: back of the adjustor’s INFERIOR hand (the adjustor’s SUPERIOR hand holds the lead rope)
ST: grasp forearms with assistant under the thorax of the horse
STAB: inherent in the standing horse
LOC: AP
Posterior Cranial Rib Technique
SCP: dorsal aspect of the angle of the rib
CP: protected pisiform of SUPERIOR hand
ST: on the side of the subluxation facing the horse on an elevated surface
STAB: inherent in the standing horse
LOC: PA with a slight downward rocking motion of the fingers
Posterior Caudal Rib Technique
SCP: dorsal aspect of the angle of the rib
CP: protected pisiform of INFERIOR hand
ST: on the side of the subluxation facing the horse on an elevated surface
STAB: inherent in the standing horse
LOC: PA with a slight downward rocking motion of the fingers
Sternal Technique
SCP: sternum
CP: palmer surface of open hands. If subluxation covers entire sternum spread hands. If localized place one hand on top of the other
ST: opposite the laterality with adjusters knee bent under the horse
STAB: adjuster contacts the barrel of the horse iwth their shoulders and chest - knee under barrel of horse and chest stabilizing
LOC: LM pull
Manubrium Technique
SCP: manubrium
CP: heel of SUPERIOR hand
ST: In front of and on the side of the laterality
STAB: inherent in the standing horse
LOC: LM
Costochondral Technique
SCP: costochondral junction
CP: guarded thumb of the sUPERIOR hand
ST: facing the same way as the horse on the side of subluxation
STAB: inherent in the standing horse
LOC: LM perpendicular to the costochondral junction
evading contact when grooming the back
pinning ears, biting, or side-stepping away from you when being saddled
sinking, bucking or rearing when you get in the saddle
thoracolumbar
tail swishing or wringing the tail when under saddle
restricting their rolling and laying down, only rolling half way over or rolling more violently than previously
thoracolumbar issues
regularly rearranging stall bedding so they can stand in a more comfortable position
becoming difficult to catch
resistance to backing up
thoracolumbar issues
resenting lateral work often in one direction
acting stiff behind, seeming reluctant to fully engage hindquarters
becoming less responsive to rider aids as the riding session progresses - ribs
thoracolumbar issues
lack of healthy pain free pendular swing in the back and symmetry through all stride phases with movement when riding - holding the back rigid instead (like a 55 gallon drum with legs)
back rigidly or uneven movement when on a longe line
thoracoolumbar issues
fidgety, tense and unable to concentrate
low heels and/or long toes behind can alter the locomotor pattern overstressing the back muscles
thoracolumbar issues
inadequate traction behind encourages slipping in deep or click ground risking strained back muscles
mouth pain from an inappropriate bit, insensitive hands, or dental problems can cause the horse to evade mouth discomfort by elevating the head and hollowing the back
thoracolumbar issues
a roping horse may begin to stop too soon or too late to avoid sudden jarring of the saddle - not wanting to work the rope
a reigning horse may be reluctant to sit down in the slides due to pain when rounding the back
thoracolumbar issues
barrel riders
go in - shoulder lower cervical
not wanting to bend aroudn back - ribs and thoracics
leaves wide - pushing off with back end - not able to get butt to ground - sacropelvic
a sore-backed jumper may produce less thrust, jump with a fixed hollow back, rush to or away from fences, or refuse to jump combinations
a trail horse may rush up and down hills or try to go downhill sideways to escape back pain
thoracolumbar issues
a barrel horse may go wide to the barrel or go wide behind it not wanting to bend around it (squaring off the turn) and not want to stay in the pattern
mid-thoracic subluxations
stabbing gait
horse won’t bend aroudn the rider’s leg on that side
upper thoracic subluxations often accompanied with C7 subluxations
subluxations in the area of the thoracolumbar junction will often result in
an overall rear-end weakness
