28/08/2024
Now that our giveaway winner has been announced, let’s talk about the answer!
In my experience, the most common areas I find tension in are generally the shoulder and back, but of course all horses are individual and so carry their tension as such! So, let’s break it down into 4 areas:
🐴 The Neck:
This is also a very common area for tension due to the self carriage we ask a horse to give us, which without the proper muscle development through the back and core, creates tension through a false frame. Even during correct work, we see generalised tension across the neck and into the shoulders.
🐴 The Shoulder:
This might be the single most common area across all types of horses! The shoulder is very often tight in horses who work on the forehand, and even in those who don’t we see tension through the subclavius from general work.
🐴 The Back:
With saddles on their backs, horses often feel tension in this region from supporting the rider. Ill fitting saddles increase this tension in specific points, creating hard knots that block muscle development - also causing compensation in other areas!
🐴 The Hind Quarters:
The hamstrings often carry tension from the “push” we ask from behind, the impulsion we ask for in all disciplines. As such, this is also common in all kinds of horses!
