06/22/2025
Throughout my years of massaging I found one thing consistent: horses, just like humans, carry a lot of tension in their shoulders no matter the discipline. The shoulder muscles of a horse play a crucial role in movement, particularly in lifting and extending the forelimb during walking, trotting, cantering, and jumping. These muscles are located around the scapula (shoulder blade) and upper humerus and are essential for forward reach, stability, and strength. There are many muscles that make up the shoulder including the Trapezius and Rhomboideus which lift and move the shoulder. The Serratus ventralis which supports the trunk between the forelimbs. The deltoid which helps flex the shoulder and move the leg outward. Finally the supraspinatus and infraspinatus which stabilize and extend the shoulder joint. A perfect symphony of muscles that work together to allow for smooth, powerful, and coordinated motion in the forelimbs!