The relationship between rider and horse is based on mutual understanding and harmonious communication. Yet one often underestimated aspect plays a fundamental role in this relationship: knowledge of myology.
By exploring this discipline, riders can better understand their mount, optimize its performance, prevent injuries and establish a more respectful and lasting relationship.
Horse myology: learning about an essential organ
Muscles account for between 50 and 60% of a horse’s body mass. They are the most vascularized tissue, endowed with a great capacity for regeneration, and are considered an organ in their own right.
In addition to their motor role (for movement, jumping, dressage…), muscles are involved in vital functions such as respiration and digestion, as well as
thermoregulation. Myology offers riders a precise understanding of these complex tissues. Such knowledge enables early dysfunctions to be identified, and equestrian practices to be adopted that are more respectful of the horse’s physiology.
Understanding the neuromuscular pathologies of the horse to better prevent them
Numerous neuromuscular diseases affect horses, manifesting as irregular gaits, stiffness, cramps after work, or great fatigability.
These disorders, often linked to overwork, lack of recuperation or dietary imbalances, can compromise the animal’s health and performance.
By understanding your horse’s myology :
– you can identify the early signs of muscular pathologies;
– you can adapt training to avoid overload;
– you can propose effective, targeted recovery.
These preventive actions help to keep your horse in good health and avoid costly injuries, both physical and financial.
The impact of lifestyle and training
Horses muscles evolve according to their lifestyle, training and growth.
For example:
– A young horse needs progressive training to develop balanced musculature and prevent joint overload.
– An aging horse benefits from adapted training to maintain quality musculature, slow aging and reduce the risk of neurological diseases.
– Sporting horses require an in-depth understanding of their muscular functioning to optimize preparation and recovery.
In short, muscles play a vital role in an animal’s posture and overall balance, whatever its activity or age. Insufficient or poorly developed musculature can lead to harmful compensations, sources of pain and counter-performance.
The 5 major motor muscle groupsprevent them
To better understand muscle function, it’s essential to know the five major motor muscle groups:
1. The extensor or levator muscles, which open up an articular axis.
2. The flexor or depressor muscles, responsible for closing a joint axis.
3. Rotator muscles, which perform rotational movements.
4. Abductor muscles, involved in moving a limb away from the body axis.
5. The adductor muscles, which bring a limb closer to the body’s axis.
By understanding these groups and how they work, the rider can adapt his approach and refine his work to the specific needs of his horse.
Horse myology: an asset for all riders
Whether you’re an amateur rider or an equestrian sport professional, knowledge of myology transforms your practice.
Here are a few concrete examples of its benefits:
– Improving sporting performance: by adapting training to develop powerful, enduring muscles.
– Injury prevention: by identifying fragile areas and working on targeted muscle strengthening.
– Strengthening the rider-horse relationship: by respecting the animal’s physical limits and offering optimal working conditions.
Investing in an understanding of myology means choosing a more responsible, respectful and high-performance equitation.
Discover the CAMAYA book
To deepen your knowledge of horse myology and benefit from practical advice tailored to your discipline, Julia Prével’s book is an essential reference.
Accessible and richly illustrated, it offers a clear and comprehensive vision of the horse’s muscles, how they work and the best practices for caring for them.