Now that you’ve done the wither rock (see last post), try the wither lift to help your horse open the joint spaces of the back and ribs, relax the back muscles, and engage the belly and shoulder sling muscles. Feel in the girth area for a slightly hollow spot. That’s the end of your horse’s sternum, or breast bone. Scratch/tickle your horse there while looking up at the withers and expecting to see them rise. Some horses will lift more than others. If yours doesn’t lift well yet, it can improve with this exercise and other bodywork. It’s often possible to get noticeable improvements by simply repeating the wither rock, wither lift combination a few times.
Posts Tagged ‘Back’
Wither Lift (easier after the Wither Rock!)
Posted in Anatomy, Coaching Tips, tagged Back, ribs, sternum, wither lift, withers on March 10, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Wither Rock- totally easy!
Posted in Coaching Tips, tagged Back, wither rock, withers on March 7, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Here’s a fast, simple way to really help your horse’s wither area, which means it will help back, ribs and shoulders, but especially the back and ribs. Rest your hands on top of your horse’s withers, and rock the withers back and forth (right and left for your horse). Start with small movements, and go SLOWLY so your horse can relax into it and not feel like you’re trying to push him over. Repeat 3-10 times or more, as long as your horse is enjoying it. This is a very abbreviated version of technique #9 from my book, The Horse Lover’s Guide to Massage. Follow with a wither lift, which I’ll post next….
On Saddle Fit and the Back, from Dr. DeLeeuw
Posted in Horse Tip Daily Podcasts, Related Holistic Care, tagged Back, DeLeeuw, Horse Tip Daily, radio, Saddle Fit on February 28, 2010| Leave a Comment »
Yay, another Horse Tip Daily Podcast from Kari DeLeeuw, and this again very directly related to the topic of massage….
We are very excited to have Dr. De Leeuw on the Horse Tip Daily Show with us. Dr. De Leeuw is a Veterinarian with a twist. She specializes and is well known for her chiropractic and acupuncture work. Listen in as she speaks about saddle fit and choosing saddle pads. Listen in…
Horse Tip Daily #151 – Dr. Kari De Leeuw on Saddle Fit and the Back:
- Check out Dr. De Leeuw’s bio and the links to her website….
- We want your ideas on the tips you want to hear and if you have an idea on an expert to be on the show – click here to contact us.
- Listen to all of Dr. De Leeuw’s tips here.
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