Angie Nagmeldin - Equine Active Wellness

31/10/2025

🐴 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗱?
𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗕𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝘆…

You know that horse who’s absolutely fine to clip — until you reach that one spot?
Usually, it’s the neck, or just in front of the shoulder.
Now, I’m not talking about horses who are frightened of the sound or feel of clippers — that’s a genuine fear response, and they benefit from gentle desensitisation and confidence-building.
I’m talking about the horses that have always been good — until the clippers hit a specific area and they suddenly react.
Ever heard the phrase “𝒀𝙤𝒖’𝒓𝙚 𝙜𝒆𝙩𝒕𝙞𝒏𝙜 𝙤𝒏 𝒎𝙮 𝙣𝒆𝙧𝒗𝙚𝒔”?

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜.

⚡ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗰 𝗜𝗻𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻
The thoracic inlet (C6, C7, T1, and the sternum) and surrounding tissues are some of the most complex and sensitive regions in the horse’s body.
This small area is a passageway filled with nerves, blood vessels, and fascia — all working closely together to connect the neck, chest, and forelimbs. The brachial plexus lies nearby, and any compression in this region can send sensations into the armpit and down the front limb.
This means that even small vibrations, tugging, or pressure during clipping can trigger significant discomfort.

🧠 𝗔𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝗕𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆
𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗹𝗲𝘅𝘂𝘀

This vital network of nerves originates from the lower cervical and first thoracic spinal nerves (C6–T2). It controls movement and sensation in the shoulders, forelimbs, and chest.
In the thoracic inlet, it lies within the thoracic sling — surrounded by fascia and muscle.
When clippers vibrate or pull the skin in this area, those sensations can easily irritate these sensitive nerves.

𝗦𝘆𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗻

Running alongside the spine, the sympathetic chain includes the cervicothoracic (stellate) and caudal cervical ganglia, which influence the horse’s fight-or-flight response.
When vibrations disturb these structures, the horse can experience a heightened stress response — which may look like twitching, head-flinging, or defensive behaviour.

𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗩𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘀

The subclavian artery and veins pass through this narrow space to supply the forelimbs and chest. Compression or excitation in this area is very, very common in horses that I see.
Because nerves often run alongside these vessels, any vibration or traction here can create discomfort throughout the entire neurovascular bundle.

𝗙𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

This region forms part of the horse’s thoracic sling — the fascial network linking the neck, trunk, and forelimbs.
Fascia is rich in sensory nerves, so tension in one area can be felt along the entire fascial line.
When clippers pull on the skin and hair, that tension can travel through the fascia, creating a deep, radiating ache.

😣 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝘂𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲𝗮

𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩 𝘕𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺:
With the brachial plexus and sympathetic ganglia located here, the area is packed with sensory nerve endings. The horse is simply more sensitive here than in other areas.

𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘗𝘢𝘪𝘯:
Because nerves and fascia are interconnected, discomfort in the chest can be felt in the neck, shoulder, or even down the forelimb.

𝘍𝘢𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘛𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨:
Clippers don’t just cut hair — they tug slightly at the skin, pulling on the fascia beneath. This tension sends sensory signals through the fascia, which can feel like a deep ache or irritation.

𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘈𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯:
One uncomfortable or painful clipping session can create a lasting memory. The next time the clippers appear, the horse may react before they even touch the skin — not out of defiance, but out of remembered discomfort.

🩶𝗦𝗼, 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗗𝗼?

If your horse reacts when being clipped, particularly around the neck or chest, it’s worth looking deeper.
✅ Rule out fear of noise or vibration.
✅ Check for fascial or postural tension through the neck, shoulders, or sternum.
✅ Seek manual therapy — myofascial release or osteopathy can relieve restrictions and restore comfort.
✅ Always ensure clippers are sharp, cool, and used with gentle pressure.
✅ And above all — listen to what your horse is telling you.

𝗠𝘆 𝟮-𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀.
𝗜𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲, 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 “𝗺𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆” 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗿𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗼𝗿 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝗽.

➡️ 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲:

𝙄𝙢𝙖𝙜𝙚: 𝘚𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘴 > T𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘊-8 r𝘦𝘧𝘦𝘳s 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘢𝘦.

26/10/2025

17/10/2025

10/10/2025

07/10/2025

The Fascial Sleeve of the Horse’s Forelimb: When a Structure Within the Sleeve is Compromised (part 2)

Part 1 - https://www.facebook.com/share/p/17DcgFWtGe/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Because the fascial system is continuous, if one element (muscle, tendon, ligament, joint, or thoracic sling connection) is weakened, the entire sleeve must adapt.

General Effects
• Force Redistribution: Neighboring tissues bear excess load.
• Altered Glide: Adhesions or swelling reduce smooth sliding, creating stiffness.
• Reduced Elastic Recoil: The limb loses its “spring,” appearing heavy or short-strided.
• Compensatory Posture: The thoracic sling, shoulder, and spine absorb stress, creating secondary soreness.

Examples

Extensor Muscles & Tendons (e.g., Common Digital Extensor):
• Impaired extension → dragging or shortened stride.
• Flexor system overworks to decelerate the limb, straining the suspensory and check ligaments.
• Gait becomes flat, choppy, or uneven.

Flexor Muscles & Tendons (SDFT, DDFT, Accessory Ligaments):
• Reduced elastic rebound in the lower limb.
• Overload on the suspensory apparatus and annular ligaments.
• Compensatory tightness radiates into the carpus, shoulder, and thoracic sling.

Phalanges (Coffin, Pastern, or Fetlock):
• Pain alters foot placement and breakover.
• Fascial chains stiffen (digital sheath → carpus → shoulder).
• Opposite limb may overload, risking bilateral problems.

Pectorals (Part of Thoracic Sling):
• Weakness/pain limits ribcage suspension.
• Horse appears downhill, drops the sternum, and overloads the forehand.
• Fascial tightening across the chest reduces reach and concussion absorption.

Why This Matters

Because fascia is a tensional network, weakness in one node affects the whole. While short-term adaptations prevent collapse, long-term they lead to:
• Secondary strain and soreness (often in back or hind end)
• Reduced stride efficiency and spring
• Chronic compensation patterns that outlast the initial injury

👉 In essence: when any structure in the forelimb fascial sheath is compromised, the problem is never purely local. The entire forelimb-to-thoracic sling system is affected, with compensations rippling throughout the body.

25 of the Most Interesting & Important Properties of Fasciia - https://koperequine.com/25-of-the-most-interesting-important-properties-of-fascia/

17/09/2025

Simple one to help understand every bone is shaped for the job it needs to do, which in turn every thing surrounding and moving the bone is also unique and does have its limits 😊
We often just think of the neck as one piece without seeing the unique shapes created for specific tasks
Its worth thinking about when we are asking our horses for a range of motion at a specific place, we can ask but they may not be able to do and why understanding the structures and their limits is crucial for anyone who works with horses
Page 109 and still going arghhh!!!!

06/08/2025

06/08/2025