| In most recent years, much research in fitness | | | | active flexibility exercises, as well as manual static |
| training has discovered the value of core training. | | | | stretching of the limbs (for 30+ seconds each) |
| The body's core includes the four main abdominal | | | | both front and back. |
| muscles, the pelvic floor muscles, and the erector | | | | The Transverse Abdominus are located in the |
| spinal muscles which support the spine. | | | | flank and run Dorsal to Ventral or up and down in |
| Collectively, these muscle groups keep the back | | | | the flank area and are the deepest abdominal |
| straight and strong. | | | | muscles protecting the vital organs. Because they |
| The four abdominal muscles, the Rectus | | | | are also main movers in running, bucking, rolling, |
| Abdominus, Transverse Abdominus, and Internal | | | | bending, and stabilization, they are often quite tight |
| and External Obliques do much more than support | | | | and can benefit from flexibility exercises, as well. |
| the back. These four muscles compress the | | | | The Internal Obliques are lined with a very non |
| abdomen to aid in moving the contents of the | | | | elastic abdominal fascia to protect the internal |
| various visceral organs through the body | | | | organs. They originate at the iliac crest (hip) and |
| efficiently. These activities include urination, | | | | are inserted at the lower ribs 9-12. They are |
| defecation, birthing, and constant inhalation and | | | | responsible for rotation of the trunk. |
| expiration. If the core muscles are weakened or | | | | The External Obliques are yet another layer which |
| injured, possible dysfunction in the visceral organ | | | | the fibers run in the opposite direction of the |
| performance could result. Additionally, when these | | | | Internal Obliques. They originate at the iliac crest |
| same core muscles serve in the skeletal capacity, | | | | and insert at the lower ribs 5-12. They work |
| they cause the body to move forward and back, | | | | together with the Internal Obliques to rotate the |
| up and down, and to bend from side to side. No | | | | trunk. |
| other muscle group provides such a diverse group | | | | Like an accordion, these core muscles contract |
| of functions. | | | | and release with each step to pull the legs |
| The Rectus Abdominus, which is considered the | | | | forward, aid in breathing, and maintain stability to |
| main abdominal muscle, originates in the chest and | | | | the trunk. Because they are attached to the ribs, |
| inserts at the 4-9th costal cartilages, runs the | | | | the femur, and the hip, they are prone to |
| length of the belly and attaches to the femur via | | | | overuse and and can suffer athletic injury just like |
| the accessory ligament. In layman's terms, this | | | | the limbs. |
| means that when your horse hunches his back to | | | | In core strength and flexibility training for your |
| bring the hind legs under, one of the main movers | | | | horse, care should be given to a proper warmup |
| is this giant muscle. The Rectus Abdominus is | | | | before implementing difficult strength work. |
| used more than all of the other abdominal | | | | Strength training should include, hill work, long |
| muscles combined. | | | | trotting, and transitions (walk to trot, trot to |
| The abdomen is wrapped in fascia deep to the | | | | canter, then back down) for the Rectus |
| Rectus Abdominus, and in addition, the muscle | | | | Abdominus and back muscles. The Obliques |
| itself is woven with tendonous intersections or | | | | require more lateral bending exercises like poles, |
| inscriptions that are a part of the muscle. These | | | | barrels, and side passing for strength, and bending |
| inscriptions are very tough and non-pliable similar | | | | stretches for enhanced flexibility. |
| to a plastic laundry basket. They have very little | | | | Muscles should always be quite warm before |
| elasticity. If you have witnessed a human with a | | | | beginning aggressive strength training, and |
| "6 pack," what you are actually seeing are these | | | | stretching should be done before the cool down. |
| tendonous inscriptions that are woven through the | | | | Massage therapy can be beneficial in maintaining |
| abdominals. | | | | the necessary flexibility to these important |
| In the care of an athletic horse, much attention | | | | muscles. The fascia woven through the muscles |
| should be given to these important muscles for | | | | often becomes stuck to the tissue beneath and |
| strength, but for flexibility, as well. The single | | | | can be mobilized by gentle massage. Be aware |
| most important component in the speed of a | | | | that the flank is a ticklish area and that you should |
| horse is stride length. Only a very flexible | | | | be aware of your safety when working in this |
| abdomen will allow the limbs to fully extend for a | | | | area. |
| long stride. This flexibility can be attained through | | | | |