07/07/2023
๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ - ๐ ๐๐๐ฐ๐น๐ฒ๐
Muscles control every aspect of movement - both internal and external. They form the largest tissue mass in the horse's body.
There are various types of muscles performing a wide variety of tasks all working in a similar way. Electrical impulses instruct the fibres to contract and shorten, then relax and lengthen.
There are 3 types of muscle:
๐ญ. ๐ฆ๐บ๐ผ๐ผ๐๐ต ๐บ๐๐๐ฐ๐น๐ฒ - This is an involuntary muscle which functions automatically. It surrounds and is found in all internal tissues and organs. Smooth muscle responds to stimuli from the autonomic nervous system. It is responsible for pushing food through the digestive system and for the physical control of the bladder and bowel. It is also found in the vascualr and reproductive systems.
๐ฎ. ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฎ๐ฐ ๐บ๐๐๐ฐ๐น๐ฒ - A highly specialised, strong, thick muscle that is fatigue resistant. Beating around 100,000 times a day throughout the horse's lifetime. This muscle co-ordinates the propulsion of blood in and out of the heart.
๐ฏ. ๐ฆ๐ธ๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐๐ฎ๐น ๐บ๐๐๐ฐ๐น๐ฒ - There are over 700 different skeletal muscles in the horse. The brain sends a signal to the muscles via nerves which then convert chemical energy into movement.
The function of skeletal muscle is to:
๐ Support the skeleton and create movement
๐ Maintain joint stability and posture
๐ Control range of movement
๐ Protect the skeleton and internal organs from trauma
๐ Contribute to thermoregulation by shivering
