Can breathing issues cause locomotion problems?

functional anatomy
Written By Katja Porenta

While we tend to think of different systems in the body as separate things, they are all actually very connected. So, for example, the immune system is influenced by the digestive system, the fascia is influenced by the hormone system and so on. In the same vein, breathing issues can often transcend the respiratory system and start causing problems elsewhere.

The diaphragm is the main respiratory muscle.

The reason breathing issues can cause performance problems is pretty simple – breathing requires the use of breathing muscles – muscles are part of the locomotor system – problems with (any kind) of muscles will have an impact on locomotion. The main breathing muscle is the diaphragm, which is a dome shaped muscle that lies within the ribcage and separates the abdominal and thoracic cavity. What's really interesting about the diaphragm is that it shares the attachment site on the lumbar spine with the psoas muscle. So, the main breathing muscle and the oh-so-important psoas muscle are actually connected. Is it any wonder then that tension in the diaphragm, which stems from breathing issues, can lead to tightness in the psoas? And we all know that tightness in the psoas can cause a number of problems. A reduced range of motion of the spine, a camped under stance and faulty biomechanics of the pelvis are just a few of them.

The diaphragm is assisted by the intercostal muscles which lie between the ribs. If the breathing muscles are functioning correctly, they enable the horse to make full use of the range of motion in his ribcage. And since the ribs connect to the vertebrae, a mobile ribcage is a prerequisite for a mobile spine. If, however, the intercostals are overexerted and tight, the ribcage will lose its ability to bend. These horses will have a hard time laterally flexing the spine and will become very stiff to ride through the corners. So, a tight diaphragm can cause stiffness in the hindquarter and tight intercostals can cause a stiff back. Pretty simple, right?

So, if your horse is struggling with respiratory issues, make sure you take care of his whole body, not just his lungs. If you want to keep them moving well, make sure to release the tension in those crucial areas on a regular basis. You can alleviate some tension in these areas using some simple bodywork techniques , but you should get a bodyworker out on a regular basis too, to handle any deeper issues.

Associated content:
Taking care of the ribcage

Katja Porenta

I am an equine bodyworker and a biomechanics enthusiast from Slovenia. I finished my original certification at Equinology in 2012 after which I travelled around Europe to learn as much as possible from different equine professionals. I was lucky enough to learn from many different physiotherapists, osteopaths, veterinarians and trainers. Through my travels I gained a broader knowledge of not only manual therapy, but the concepts of healthy biomechanics as well. It is my belief that many problems faced by today’s riding horses stem from a general misunderstanding of what kind of animal the horse is and what happens to his body when we put a rider on top. It is every equine professional’s job to educate the equestrian public and broaden the understanding of what the horse needs in order to stay sound. I believe that teamwork is the key to success when it comes to keeping horses happy and sound, which is why I work closely with a variety of different equine professionals.

Next

What kind of bodywork does my horse need?